Denver would need to raise $60 to $80 million to host the Democratic National Convention in 2008, but landing the convention could produce a $163 million jolt to the local economy, backers said today.
Much of the cost of hosting the convention stems from providing security, said Steve Farber, a local lawyer who is co-chairman of the effort to land the convention.
“That’s the cost of what it would be from what we’ve heard,” Farber said. “That is going to be raised from the public and the private sector both.”
The Democratic National Party also would likely provide some assistance, Farber said.
The last Democratic convention in Boston generated $163 million in economic benefits, said Richard Scharf, head of the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“It represents a tremendous economic impact on our city and will showcase Denver to the world,” Scharf said.
The comments came during a breakfast meeting supporters of the effort held today at the new Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.
Backers hope efforts to add a western primary to the nominating process will give Denver a boost in attracting the convention. They also argue that the intermountain West has become a political “battleground” that will give Denver a competitive edge.
“The western states are critical for winning the White House in 2008,” said political consultant Michael Stratton.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper said during the meeting that he would welcome either the Republican or Democratic national conventions, or both if at all possible.
“What we’ve been doing here as a national model would stand up well to the spotlight that would be generated by a national convention,” Hickenlooper said.
Denver has joined about nine other cities in expressing interest in hosting the Democratic convention, said former state Democratic Party chair Chris Gates. He said likely competitors include Detroit, New Orleans, Minneapolis, San Antonio, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
The DNC has refused to release an official list of cities so far.
Farber said business leaders will need to raise about $60,000 in initial seed money and at least an additional $250,000 to carry the city through the entire submission process.
Formal bids for the convention are due May 19. The DNC will winnow the field to the finalists, and then chairman Howard Dean will make a final choice after the November election.
Backers hope efforts to add a western primary to the nominating process will give Denver a boost in attracting the convention. They also argue that the intermountain West has become a political “battleground” that will give Denver a competitive edge.
“The western states are critical for winning the White House in 2008,” said political consultant Michael Stratton.
Denver was one of three finalists for the 2000 convention. The city bid again in 2004, but then-Mayor Wellington Webb pulled Denver out of contention because of security concerns.
Staff writer Christopher N. Osher can be reached at 303-820-1747 or at cosher@denverpost.com.
