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GOP and Dems in Denver?

Mile High City is one of 35 invited to bid on 2008 conventions

Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News

Published February 17, 2006 at midnight

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Denver hasn't hosted a national political convention in nearly 100 years. Now it may vie for two in 2008.

The Mile High City is readying for a run at the 2008 Democratic National Convention by creating a host committee that will plot strategy at a Tuesday breakfast. It's among 35 cities invited to bid on the event by the Democratic National Committee.

Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee on Wednesday asked Denver and 30 other cities to consider hosting its 2008 presidential-picking party.

Mayor John Hickenlooper welcomed conventioneers of all political stripes - and the potential economic boon.

"For many of us, this is not about partisan politics; it is about whether hosting a national convention - Democrat or Republican - can bring economic benefit to our city, region and state," Hickenlooper said Thursday. He said he would ask Gov. Bill Owens and other top state Republicans if they're interested in pursuing the GOP convention.

"I think if the city of Denver is going to go after the Republican Convention or the Democratic Convention we need a bipartisan group that would make that commitment," the mayor said.

Asked if he'd consider holding both national conventions in the summer of 2008, Hickenlooper joked: "Once you spend all the money for security and infrastructure, we might as well have one right after the other."

But the businessman-turned-mayor seriously added: "In both cases, it's got to pencil out to be economically worthwhile from the city's point of view. I think having a national convention for either party really does put your city in a very powerful spotlight."

The local Democratic convention host committee breakfast, sponsored by philanthropist Tim Gill, is scheduled for Tuesday at the new Hyatt Regency Convention Center. Party leaders will seek community ideas and help to craft a bid while starting fund-raising efforts.

Denver has hosted only one national party convention, the 1908 Democratic conclave that nominated William Jennings Bryan. Unsuccessful bids were made for the 2000 and 2004 Democratic conventions.