Gov. John Hickenlooper
The plans for Gov. John Hickenlooper’s second inauguration are beginning to take shape and it will remain .
The Democrat’s swearing in ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Jan. 13 on the Capitol steps, followed by a cocktail hour, dinner and concert at downtown Denver music venues.
The theme for the festivities mirrors his campaign slogan: “Colorado Up.”
Even with the economy and state budget pictures looks far better than when Hickenlooper took office as Colorado’s 42nd governor in 2011, the inauguration festivities remain modest.
Former Republican Gov. Bill Owens celebrated his inauguration in 1999 with a black-tie event at a downtown hotel. Former Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter partied at the Colorado Convention Center in 2007. Hickenlooper opted for a barbecue at the Fillmore Auditorium.
The cost for Hickenlooper’s inaugural events is unclear, though it is partly privately funded. It is being organized in part by OnSight Public Affairs, the political firm that managed Hickenlooper’s successful re-election campaign.
Hundreds gathered in frigid cold and with snow on the trees flanking the west steps of the Capitol . No word yet on the weather for this year. The event includes free and open seating sections that open at 9:30 a.m.
Later in the day, the inaugural committee will host a 5 p.m. cocktail hour and 6 p.m. dinner at the Fillmore Auditorium. Tickets cost $100 per person.
The main event is the inaugural concert at the Ogden Theatre — combining Hickenlooper’s love for music, craft beer and a big party. The event features Colorado bands Nathaniel Rateliff, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, String Cheese Incident and the Lumineers. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $75. The tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday .
The proceeds from the ticket sales will go to charities announced at a later date, organizers said.
