It’s been 100 years since Denver hosted a national political convention, but by upgrading city facilities, local officials are readying a serious bid for the summer games of 2008. Both the Democrats and Republicans are in the process of accepting detailed proposals for these sought-after events. In 2004, the Democrats met in Boston and the Republicans in New York.
Denver was last host to a convention when William Jennings Bryan accepted the 1908 Democratic nomination for president.
The estimated expense of hosting a modern-day convention falls anywhere from $60 million to $80 million, but city officials have good reason to put their best foot forward for 2008. The expected economic benefit is $160 million, and the international exposure would be, if you can excuse the Madison Avenue cliche, “priceless.”
Denver was a finalist for the 2000 Democrats and has improved its chances with such expanded facilities as the Pepsi Center, numerous hotels and a new convention center. Next week, the Democratic National Committee is putting out a call for 2008 proposals, and Denver has already formed a host committee that includes such prominent faces as Councilwoman Elbra Wedgeworth, lawyer Steve Farber and former state party chief Chris Gates. Key Republicans, starting with the governor, support the effort, seeing that the city and the state have a very positive story to tell.
“We’ve done the Summit of the 8, we’ve hosted Pope John Paul II, the NBA All-Star game. We can do this,” said Wedgeworth.
Most of the $80 million cost would be raised through private gifts, corporate sponsorships and especially federal grants. “Our goal is to raise all of this money [privately] with no taxpayer money at all,” Wedgeworth said.
Security in this post-Sept. 11 world doesn’t come cheap. The estimate now is $30 million, funded by federal Homeland Security grants. With that covered, the Denver group will need to raise about $35 million. Boston and New York City covered the bulk of their costs with private donations.
Denver officially will begin wooing Democrats with an April reception in New Orleans, site of the next Democratic National Committee meeting.
The Dems will want to hear about logistics, not just how many sunny days a year we have. One big requirement involves hotel space. Republicans are requiring their host city to make 20,000 rooms available for 2008 and the Democrats’ criteria will be released next week.
Planners say the city now has 38,000 hotel rooms in the seven-county metro area – including 17,000 in Denver and 6,000 in the central business district.
Other cities interested in the Democrats include Detroit, New Orleans, Atlanta and Orlando, with a final decision in the fall. The GOP has solicited bids from 31 cities, including Denver. Mayor John Hickenlooper is eager to host either, or both parties, but no formal committee has been created to seek the GOP bid.
Many political experts believe Colorado and the West will play a pivotal role in 2008 presidential politics and that Denver’s selection as a convention city would “expand the map” of political activity. We agree, and think Denver would be a perfect backdrop for either convention.
