DENVER POST ENDORSEMENT

The battle for control of the Colorado House of Representatives, where Democrats hold a 37-27 advantage (with one independent), is mostly fought away from the high-priced political campaigns now bombarding weary Coloradans.

With an average population of about 75,000 people in each district, candidates hit the streets to knock on doors and meet as many voters as possible. It's retail politics at its finest.

To help our readers make sense of some of the races, we're endorsing candidates in 10 key House districts across the state. These are the races both parties are eyeing for control of the House.

To reach our endorsements, we reviewed questionnaires sent to all legislative candidates, visited candidate websites and evaluated the records of incumbents and challengers.

District 29 — Encompasses portions of Arvada and Westminster. The borders roughly are West 80th to West 120th avenues and Sheridan Boulevard to Indiana Street.

Republican businessman Robert Ramirez, a newcomer to politics, gets the nod here. He has been involved in various community groups and activities, and has put together one of the state's largest volunteer organizations.

He's running against Rep. Debbie Benefield, D-Arvada, who opposes "high-stakes testing" for Colorado students. We think it's impossible to improve what you don't gauge, and her views on education are a step backward from current reform efforts.

The Denver Posthttp://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_16341939#ixzz12QOrlIXc