Denver, Colorado - Colorado Democrats will have the opportunity to hear Governor Brian Schweitzer of Montana at their annual Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner in Denver.

Schweitzer was elected as Montana's first Democratic governor since 1988 in 2004.

The governor was born in Havre in 1955, the fourth of six children. He was raised on his parent's registered cattle ranch in the Judith Basin, Montana. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in International Agronomy from Colorado State University, his Master of Science in Soil Science from Montana State University. He is married to Nancy Hupp.

His business and agricultural experience includes extensive farming and ranching in Montana and successful agricultural business projects on five continents. In 1993, Schweitzer was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to serve on the Montana State USDA Farm Service Agency committee. He resigned in 1999 to run for the U.S. Senate.

" Like Colorado, Montana sends a national message that the New West is emerging as a Democratic battleground, said Pat Waak, Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party. "We are excited to have Governor Schweitzer in Colorado to remind us of how we can win in 2006."

Governor Schweitzer will be introduced by U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, another victor in 2004.

The Colorado Democratic Party will also be honoring former State Senator, Polly Baca, with a Lifetime Achievement Award; Colorado Senate President Joan Fitzgerald with the Democrat of the Year award; and Karen Middleton and Damon Barry with Rising Star Awards.

The Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2006. Tickets are available by calling the Colorado Democratic Party headquarters at 303-623-4762.