Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper has joined the race for Colorado governor.

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper plans to announce his bid for governor at a 4:15 press conference this afternoon the west steps of the Capitol.

Hickenlooper timed his announcement to occur before the opening of the Colorado General Assembly on Wednesday and Ritter’s State of the State address on Thursday.

Most prominent aspect of his agenda I can find: His support for extensive gun control. He also supports cutting back business and industry in the name of stopping global warming.

Oh, and he also got a sweetheart deal for his political allies: During the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, he secured fuel for delegates without tax — saving them about 40 cents per gallon.