Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

8:45 a.m. Gov. Ritter will read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle to 41 Jefferson County first-graders for “Read for the Record Day,” a national effort to promote reading. Location: Russell Elementary School, 5150 Allison St., Arvada. (First Lady Jeannie Ritter will be reading to students at Wyatt Elementary School in Denver.)

10:30 a.m. Gov. Ritter will take part in the grand opening ceremony for the new Ameristar Casino in Black Hawk. The $235 million hotel and casino has created 235 jobs. Location: Ameristar Casino, 111 Richman St., Black Hawk.

11:30 a.m. Gov. Ritter will host a town hall meeting in Idaho Springs, discussing the economy, his job-creation strategy and long-term vision for Colorado. Location: City Hall, 1711 Miner St., Idaho Springs.