So Far, Colorado Slow To Donate To Capitol Fund

DENVER (AP) -- Colorado's effort to raise money to repair its rusting Capitol dome is getting off to a rusty start itself.

A month after announcing a splashy fundraising effort, restoration officials say individual donors have forked over just about $20,000 of the $4 million needed by June to complete repairs to the 19th-century cast-iron dome.

If the goal isn't reached, the dome will still be repaired -- but the State Historical Fund would have to cover the balance to make sure the estimated $12 million in repairs are complete.

The "Share In The Care" campaign started Jan. 19. Residents were urged to text the word "DOME' to 50555 to have $10 added to their cell phone bills.

But a month into the campaign, only 423 people have answered the texting plea.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)