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Convention backers raise $15 million

By David Montero, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 15, 2007 at 12:30 a.m.

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He met with Hollywood producers and a Montana timber company executive, and he traveled to corporate board rooms across America.

And in the end, Mayor John Hickenlooper was one of those who helped the Denver host committee for the Democratic National Convention reach its $15 million goal Friday.

"It's like growing a garden," Hickenlooper said. "You put in a lot of work at first and nothing seems to be growing. Then, if you've done a good job, it grows really fast."

Hickenlooper, along with Gov. Bill Ritter, U.S. Rep. Diane DeGette and Sen. Ken Salazar have all been soliciting donations - toiling in the garden - to reach the goal of more than $40 million in cash the host committee needs to put on the convention Aug. 25-28.

After an initial slow start - they were supposed to have $7.5 million on hand in June and fell short by about $2 million - host committee officials said things are on track.

The next goal is another $13 million by March 17.

Elbra Wedgeworth, president of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee, said part of problem early on was getting those who'd promised money to actually cut the check.

Now that the convention is drawing closer, she said they've stepped up their efforts.

"It's more that we're really aggressive about raising the funds," she said. "We are already working on the next deadline and we are incredibly excited about the opportunity in terms of talking about the convention happening here in Denver."

While large donations from companies have helped fuel the fundraising spurt - the committee does not make public who the donors are or how much they give - another factor in raising the money has been the start of the Summit Club.

Launched several weeks ago, it is designed to attract small businesses that can't make large contributions but may be able to part with $5,280. So far, they've lined up nine businesses.

A possible complicating factor for the convention, however, is that $50 million appropriations for security for both the Democratic and Republican conventions is tied up in a spending bill that President Bush has vowed to veto.

monterod@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5236

Comments

  • December 15, 2007

    4:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    teslan writes:

    I fail to understand why anyone would donate to have a political convention. Why not give to a church or charity that needs it more then a political party. Well maybe for some people political parties are religion. I can sort of understand why businesses would. Only if they need to influence politicians on what laws to vote for or again.