DENVER -- Gov. Bill Ritter was hospitalized Tuesday after he crashed with another bicyclist.

Ritter sustained broken ribs as a result of the accident, which occurred just after 6 a.m. at 23rd Avenue and High Street.

Ritter's spokesman, Evan Dreyer, said the accident occurred when the governor collided with another cyclist in a group of four. Dreyer says Ritter appeared to have multiple rib fractures on his right side.

Dreyer said Ritter is being treated at Denver Health Medical Center and is in good spirits, laughing and joking with hospital staff.

Dreyer said Ritter rides two or three times a week with friends -- typically 20 to 25 miles each ride. He had been riding for about 30 minutes when the governor's bike and the bike in front of him "touched wheels."

Both Ritter and the bicyclist in front "came down" and Ritter, who was wearing a helmet, hit his head in addition to suffering the rib injury. Another cyclist, riding behind the governor, also fell and suffered a wrist injury, Dreyer said.

Ritter was brought to Denver Health Medical Center in an ambulance.

Ritter is a cycling enthusiast. In June, he rode in the 52-mile Elephant Rock Ride south of Denver to promote a new cycling safety law. He also has spoken with seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, who has a home in Aspen, about reviving bicycle racing in Colorado.

Colorado used to host a bicycle stage race in the 1970s and 80s. It was known first as the Red Zinger Classic and later the Coors Classic. It last ran in 1988.