Gov. Bill Ritter will travel to Western State College in Gunnison on Friday for his first bill-signing ceremony outside the state Capitol.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Curry, D-Gunnison, and Sen. Gail Schwartz, D-Snowmass Village, establishes graduate programs in addition to the school’s undergraduate curriculum.

"Western State is a cornerstone for education and economic development in western Colorado," Ritter said. "This bill will help Western State build on its success and allow us to keep educating Coloradans right here in Colorado. It also will provide employers with a workforce that is better aligned with the needs of the 21st century."

The bill signing will be held at 2:30 p.m. in the Kebler Ballroom in Western State's Union Building.