Denver's chances for DNC shrinking

Stuart Steers And M.E. Sprengelmeyer, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 15, 2006 at midnight

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Denver's chances of winning the 2008 Democratic National Convention looked less promising Thursday, with U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar saying he was "concerned" that Denver might lose to New York City after a conversation with DNC chairman Howard Dean.

Salazar and Dean spoke for more than 30 minutes Thursday morning, and it ended with the senator putting the odds of Denver winning the convention at "50-50" - a less optimistic assessment than previously, said Salazar spokesman Cody Wertz.

"He is concerned about whether or not the convention will come here," Wertz said. "It is not our decision. It's Howard Dean's decision. Sen. Salazar, along with several others in Denver and the state, are working hard on the issue."

The main issue is money. Dean is worried over whether Denver can raise the estimated $80 million required to host the convention.

Democrats still vividly remember the problems that Los Angeles had raising money for the 2000 convention, when party officials had to scramble at the last minute to raise several million dollars.

New York, a world economic capital that has hosted several past political conventions, is seen as having advantages in fundraising and experience, although Denver is seen as a good political choice because it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountain region, where Democrats see an opportunity to make gains in traditionally Republican states.

In an interview with 9News, Salazar said he believed that Dean wanted to hold the convention in Denver, but he had asked "a legitimate question" as to whether Colorado could pull off the big event without a hitch.

"It's our belief that we can, and our job here in Colorado is to convince him we can do this," Salazar said.

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