A state ethics group is calling on Pueblo and Denver prosecutors - including Colorado Attorney General John Suthers - to investigate a GOP political group for allegedly making false statements in political ads.

The Denver-based Colorado Citizens for Ethics in Government has denounced The Trailhead Group for a series of radio, TV and print advertisements that it says make false statements about Reps. Buffie McFadyen, D-Pueblo West, Jim Riesberg, D-Greeley, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter.

"Trailhead has flagrantly caused false statements to be broadcast in an attempt to mislead voters, and improperly influence the election," said Chantell Taylor, director of the ethics group. "Law enforcement officials should immediately investigate Trailhead's actions and put a stop to this type of dirty campaigning."

The Trailhead ads have targeted Riesberg for his voting record on rainy-day fund proposals during this year's legislative session, and Ritter for cases he plea-bargained as Denver district attorney.

The group, created by GOP Gov. Bill Owens and backed financially by party members Pete Coors and Bruce Benson, has gone after McFadyen for voting for measures that it said hiked state fees.

Taylor said Trailhead has recklessly and consciously disregarded the truth in its ads against all three candidates.

Bob Martinez, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, shot back at Taylor's group, saying its defense of McFadyen comes at a time when she's under scrutiny in New Mexico for allegedly being a party to bid rigging.

"Colorado Citizens for Ethics in Government has an ethics problem themselves if the accusations against Rep. McFadyen prove to be true," Martinez said. "It's clear that they are just another Johnny-come-lately Democrat group trying to deceive voters."

Earlier this summer, McFadyen's newly formed construction company, Arrow Buffalo, won a portion of a $300,000 contract to install sewer pipes in the village of Taos Ski Valley.

Trailhead has questioned McFadyen's relationship to Pueblo businessman Lester Parker, who co-owns the new business along with two others that also bid on the project.

Trailhead executive director Alan Philp released a letter from New Mexico state Sen. William Sharer calling on New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid to investigate the matter.

Sharer is a Republican who represents the Farmington area, which is located on the western edge of the state.