He sported a U.S. Border Patrol cap and launched his bid for the governor’s mansion by announcing an agenda that focuses on improving the state’s economy, revamping its approach to illegal immigration and further reforming the Public Employees’ Retirement Association.

  “I’m doing this because of popular demand,” Tancredo joked to the throng of reporters gathered at the posh clubhouse at Solterra and Rooney Ranch.

  In reality, the move has been unpopular with Tancredo’s former party.

  Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams said earlier this week that Tancredo’s entry into the governor’s race all but hands the governor’s office to the Democrats and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, the lone candidate from that party.

   Wadhams said he is worried that the conservative vote will be divided between the Republican nominee and Tancredo

  “The party, to me, is a mechanism more than anything else,” Tancredo said. “The oath (of office) doesn’t have a word in it about the party. Loyalty to (the constitution) should be more important than loyalty to a party.”

  Tancredo last week characterized the Republican candidates for governor as not being viable. Read more....