Higher-ed 'lobbyist' has pull in high places

Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 6, 2007 at midnight

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August Ritter and his dad called for increased state aid to higher education Monday.

August, 20, a Colorado State University junior, was among several hundred students from around the state who descended on the Capitol to ask lawmakers for more funding for colleges and universities.

August's dad, Gov. Bill Ritter, told a rally on the Capitol steps that he could not have attended CSU 30 years ago without state aid.

"We have to make sure college is accessible and affordable to all the students in Colorado," Gov. Ritter said. Education is linked to economic growth, he added.

August Ritter, who helped organize the day of lobbying, said the students met no lawmakers who disagreed with them.

"No one is anti-higher education," he said. But finding money in a tight budget is another matter, August learned.

His father has recommended a $55 million increase for higher education this year, but it would still leave Colorado well below the average in state support.

August said he managed to land his dad as speaker at the rally because he knows the governor's scheduler.

morsonb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303 954-5209

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