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A standing-room-only crowd fills the gymnasium of Byers Middle School during an "in absentia" town hall meeting directed at U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, who was invited to attend but did not respond to the invitation. Organizers said the meeting was held as a response to Gardner's refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format. More than 1,100 people where estimated to have attended the event, according to organizers.

Dozens of people enter the Byers Middle School gymnasium to attend an "in absentia" town hall meeting directed at U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, who was invited to attend but did not respond to the invitation. Organizers said the meeting was held as a response to Gardner's refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format.

With a tear in her eye, Guadalupe Azua of Westwood voices her concerns about U.S. Senator Cory Gardner's stance on health care during an "in absentia" town hall meeting held at Byers Middle School and directed at Gardner, who was not in attendance. Organizers said the meeting was held as a response to Gardner's refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format. Gardner was invited to attend, organizers said, but did not respond to the invitation, and so a cardboard cutout of Gardner was set up in his place.

American flags and a protest sign fly over about 700 people in the Byers Middle School gymnasium during an "in absentia" town hall meeting directed at U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner. Organizers said the meeting was held as a response to Gardner's refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format; the senator was invited to attend, organizers said, but did not respond to the invitation.

DENVER - FEB. 24: Speaking to a cardboard cutout of U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, Carla Castedo addresses concerns held by the Mi Familia Vota national civic engagement organization, of which she is the Colorado state director, during an "in absentia" town hall meeting directed at Gardner and held at Byers Middle School. Organizers said the meeting was held as a response to Gardner's refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format; Gardner was invited to attend, organizers said, but did not reply to the invitation. (Photo by Andy Colwell/ Special to The Denver Post)

A standing-room-only crowd watches from above the Byers Middle School gymnasium during an "in absentia" town hall meeting directed at U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, who was invited to attend but did not respond to the invitation. Organizers said the meeting was held as a response to Gardner's refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format.

Whittier resident Grant Van Pelt signs a banner reading "We Are Coloradans - Hear Us" directed at U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner during an "in absentia" town hall meeting directed at the senator and held at Byers Middle School. Organizers said the meeting was held as a response to Gardner's refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format; Gardner was invited to participate in the event, organizers said, but did not respond to the invitation.

Belcaro resident Sarabeth Bjorndahl holds a handful of questions intended for U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner during an "in absentia" town hall meeting directed at Gardner and held at Byers Middle School. Organizers said the meeting was held as a response to Gardner's refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format; the senator was invited to attend, organizers said, but did not respond to the invitation.

A cardboard cutout of U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner is pictured at center during a presentation on civic involvement by Lafayette Mayor Christine Berg, in red at left, at Byers Middle School as part of an "in absentia" town hall meeting directed at the senator, who was not present. Organizers said the meeting was held as a response to Gardner's refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format. Gardner was invited but did not respond to the invitation, according to event organizers.

Lafayette Mayor Christine Berg looks at the cardboard cutout of U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner set up in the gymnasium of Byers Middle School while speaking about civic engagement during an "in absentia" town hall meeting directed at the senator, who was invited to attend but did not respond to the invitation. Organizers said the meeting was held as a response to Gardner's refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format.

Standing in front of a cardboard cutout of U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, Katie Farnan of the Indivisible Front Range Resistance holds up her phone to record a voicemail of approximately 700 constituents and activists as they called out the senator at Byers Middle School during an "in absentia" town hall meeting. Farnan and other event organizers said Gardner was invited to attend the event but did not respond to the invitation. The event was held as a response to what organizers said were numerous refusals by Gardner refusal to meet face-to-face with constituents in a similar meeting format.

Cheesman Park Karen Shander poses for a picture with a cardboard cutout of U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner set up in the gymnasium of Byers Middle School on Feb. 24, 2017.