Following the 1908 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Paul Thieman, a former editorial columnist for
The Denver Post, said this:
"No other national convention in the history of the land ever convened in the soul of such architectural triumph ... and such aspiring environs. Denver is the ideal convention city."
One hundred years later, the Mile High City is once again hoping to show its best face to the world. With the
2008 Democratic National Convention just weeks away, it's a thrilling time for Colorado. Thousands of people will be converging on our state, and we stand to benefit from the tourism dollars and attention.
There are still hurdles to overcome – from fundraising challenges to squashing the "food police" jokes (catered food doesn't
have to be at least three different colors; it's just a guideline) – but the DNC host committee is working around the clock to make it all happen.
My secret – and slightly silly – worry is that we'll do
too good a job and none of our guests will want to leave. People who visit me in Colorado always seem to wonder out loud, "And why exactly don't I live here? Mountains, sunny skies, culture ... this place just makes so much sense."
Regardless of your political leanings, you can count on Rocky Mountain PBS for complete coverage of the national party conventions. We'll also give you the historical context you need to understand the events of today. On Friday night at 7:30, we bring you "Denver's Democratic Conventions, 1908 and 2008," a Rocky Mountain PBS original for Colorado lovers and history buffs alike.
There's much more to come, including gavel-to-gavel convention coverage by the "NewsHour" team and the best local coverage on "Colorado State of Mind Special: Colorado Matters," a partnership with Colorado Public Radio.
Also, check out our
Vote 2008 section of Panorama. The
Election Map is loaded with great information: Click on Colorado, and you'll find
stats on everything from our state's uninsured population (CO ranks 14th highest at 16%) to college education rates (CO has the 4th highest percentage in the nation). And
"Convention Centennial Minutes" features incredible black-and-white shots of the city.
So what are your plans for the convention week? Volunteering? Celebrity hunting? Leaving town? Are we going to put our best foot forward, or do you foresee a stumble or two? I'm curious to hear what you're thinking.
-Elizabeth Mayer, RMPBS
