GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Former state Sen. Tom Wiens announced Thursday he has filed the necessary papers with the Federal Election Commission to run for the U.S. Senate.

Wiens, a Republican, plans to conduct a number of “formal announcement events” in the state during the next few weeks as he gets the word out about his campaign.

“Weeks ago I created an exploratory committee so that I could start a conversation with Coloradans about my frustration with Washington. What did I learn? They are, like me, sick and tired of the disrespect that Washington has for us.

“Washington insiders are taking America in a wrong and dangerous direction. If you are at the top - from Washington or Wall Street - you get a bailout. If you are at the bottom you might get a handout. Those of us in the middle, we get to pay the bill,” said Wiens in a statement that accompanied his announcement.

Wiens, a Douglas County rancher and small businessman, joins a crowded filed of GOP hopefuls in the Senate race. The field includes former Colorado Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, a Grand Junction native, and Weld County District Attorney Ken Buck.

No GOP debate

The thought of listening to a debate between GOP gubernatorial candidates Scott McInnis and Josh Penry seems appealing to a lot of folks.

But McInnis does not appear to be in that camp. He seemed to rule out the possibility of a debate with Penry and Evergreen businessman Dan Maes during a forum in Lakewood, at which candidates were asked questions and made statements.

McInnis reasoned the party lost to Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter three years ago because of fighting among themselves, the Associated Press reported. He also said he has no plans to repeat the mistake.

“What we need to do as candidates is unify our party and make our target Bill Ritter. Hit him as a family, not as a divided family,” McInnis said.

Penry, a state senator, countered saying voters deserve a straightforward debate about the party's agenda.

“If ever the party needed an honest debate about the agenda it wants to put forward, it's now, so let's have a debate,” he said.

McInnis, a former congressman, and Penry both hail from Grand Junction, which would seem like the perfect place for a debate.

A Scott committee

State House District 54 candidate Ray Scott said he plans to form a “Citizen's Council,” in order to keep with his theme that voters need to involved in the political process.

He said the bi-partisan committee would be made up of “business people and citizens” from the district, which takes in Grand Junction.

Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, is vacating the seat to run for the state Senate.

Reeves on reform

Club 20 Executive Director Reeves Brown is scheduled to give a speech Monday during a meeting for the League of Women Voters of Mesa County.

The speech is to focus on the need for reform of the state constitution. The meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. at Redlands United Methodist Church, 527 Village Way.

Brown is to deliver his speech at 7 p.m.

Quote of the week

“It's obvious that the GOP not just identify problems but fundraising problems. When Norton got into this primary race she assumed she would have the backing of the GOP establishment - whether she asked for it or not. Looks like now she will have to rely on bake sales and car washes to get the fundraising she needs to compete.”

Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Pat Waak in response to comments made by John Cornyn, who is the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman. Cornyn said in an interview with ABC News that the committee would not spend money in contested GOP Senate primaries.

Reach Wyatt Haupt Jr. at whaupt@gjfreepress.com.