Marco Rubio and Donald Trump on the stage during the GOP debate in Boulder. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Republican Marco Rubio will visit Denver on Tuesday to raise big money for his presidential campaign and champion endorsements from two top Colorado lawmakers.
The fundraising trip is the Florida senator’s first announced campaign visit to Colorado in the 2016 campaign cycle (outside the GOP debate in Boulder) and follows in of other major candidates who are raising money and building an organization in the state.
Rubio’s campaign did not announce any public events as part of his trip.
Oil industry executive Roger Hutson and wife Meredith Hutson will host the fundraiser at their downtown Denver condo, and the top ticket requires donors to raise $10,000 for Rubio’s campaign. Hutson is the CEO at HRM Resources, a firm that specializes in oil and energy production. He is one of Colorado’s top GOP donors — giving more than $35,000 to support Mitt Romney’s campaign in 2012.
The minimum ticket for the Rubio fundraiser is $500 per person, but the maximum $2,700 contribution per person is required to attend a private reception and get a photo with Rubio.
Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner will attend the event. He to great fanfare after the GOP . U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman, an Aurora Republican who also , is also listed as an invited guest, though he is not expected to attend.
“Marco is a next generation conservative who we believe is a natural fit for Colorado conservatives, spokeswoman Caitlin Conant said in a statement. “Marco had a great reception in Denver when he campaigned there with Romney in 2012, handily won the debate in Boulder earlier this year, and has the endorsement of Colorado’s Republican Senator Cory Gardner. As more and more Coloradans hear Marco’s optimistic message we continue to gain momentum.”
Other names on the invite include: Mary Pat Link and John Strohm; Rich Beeson; John Fox; Sen. John Cooke and wife Amy Cooke; Paul Biederman; Kathy and Bill Hybl; Jake Jabs; Carol and Frank Keeney; Aryeh Lightstone; Mary Pat and Dick McCormick; Laura Martin; Sharon and Lanny Martin; Lori and Troy McWhinney; Kathy and Bob Nicholls; Josh Penry; Dick Robinson; Kathleen Sgamma; Sean Tonner; and Roxanne and Fred Vierra.
