Allard, 59, was a Loveland veterinarian when he was elected to the state Legislature in 1982. He served three terms in the U.S. House and is now seeking his second six-year term in the U.S. Senate.

“There are two kinds of people,” Allard told four local Republicans Thursday at the Hotel Colorado, “those who just talk and those who work to get things done. There are show horses and there are work horses. As a veterinarian, I know the difference.”

Allard said he was a work horse in his first term, and promised to be a work horse in the campaign. With his wife, Joan, he toured Western Colorado earlier this week and planned to travel to the northeast Plains today, announcing his candidacy.

Democrat Tom Strickland and Libertarian Rick Stanley are also running for the post.

Strickland recently said he’ll spend $6 million in pursuit of the seat, which could determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the U.S. Senate.

“I’m appalled, frankly, at the amount of money the Democrats are talking about spending,” Allard said. But he said he has reconsidered his campaign budget, and may spend more than he originally planned.

Money aside, he said the “fundamental differences” that separated him and Strickland in their close 1996 race will become clear to voters.

Allard explained his five-point campaign platform in a brief speech.

His focus is on better security, restoring economic prosperity, protecting Social Security and Medicare, improving education and preserving Colorado’s special quality of life.

Allard cited accomplishments that prove his commitment on those fronts, including designation of the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Spanish Peaks Wilderness and Rocky Flats Wildlife Refuge, cleanup of the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant and funding the National Renewable Energy Lab.

He said he will fight deficit spending, push for more tax cuts and seek to make health insurance a tax-deductible item for individuals and small businesses.

On local issues, Allard said he would be pleased to introduce Senate legislation establishing the Deep Creek wilderness area in Garfield and Eagle counties. He noted that he hasn’t yet been asked to do so.

He also called for a broad-based national energy plan that would look to renewable energy sources, noting that he co-founded the Senate’s Renewable Energy Caucus.

Allard said he disagreed when President Bush de-emphasized renewable energy sources, such as solar, geothermal, wind, hydroelectric and fuel cells, in his proposed energy policy.

“Now he’s coming around and starting to realize that’s important,” Allard said.