A Democrat in the Colorado House of Representatives is trying to rename a portion of Interstate 25 through Denver the “Barack Obama Highway.”
The proposal from Rep. Dan Pabon, D-Denver, passed with bipartisan support out of the House Transportation and Energy Committee on Thursday by a 12-1 vote.
Only Rep. Kimmi Lewis, R-Kim, was against the measure in the committee — .
“Nothing personal,” Lewis said of her vote. “As a person on the land and a rancher, he did everything there was to hurt me. Therefore, I just didn’t think it was a good idea.”
She added: “I sit here and I listen to them bash Donald Trump. He’s our new president, so, you know, I just wasn’t in favor.”
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
Former President Barack Obama holds a rally that is part of a coast-to-coast campaign barnstorm of swing states at the Meadow in City Park Denver on Wednesday. Oct. 24, 2012.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Former President Barack Obama speaks to a crowd during a presidential campaign stop at the at the Communtiy College of Aurora on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012.
Christian Murdock, The Gazette via AP, Pool
Former President Barack Obama, center, meets with Thunderbird pilot Maj. Alex Turner at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo., Thursday, June 2, 2016, before returning to Washington after the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony. The pilot of a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird that crashed following a flyover met with Obama shortly safely ejecting safely into a Colorado field.
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Former President Barack Obama gives his commencement address to the United States Air Force Academy 58th graduating class at Falcon Stadium June 2, 2016.
Kent Nishimura, The Denver Post
Former U.S. President Barack Obama waves as he boards Air Force One at Denver International Airport on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 in Denver. The President is en route to Dallas, Texas where he will meet local elected officials and faith leaders to discuss the humanitarian situation at the Southwest border.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Former President Barack Obama plays pool with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper at Wynkoop Brewery in downtown Denver after arriving in Colorado, July 8, 2014. President Obama is in Colorado to speak about the economy and raise money for Senator Mark Udall's re-election campaign.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Former President Barack Obama discusses the economy during a speech at Cheesman Park in Denver, July 09, 2014. After the speech President Obama will attend a private luncheon at the Westin Denver Downtown hotel to raise money for U.S. Sen. Mark Udall's re-election campaign.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
Former President Barack Obama discusses the economy during a speech at Cheesman Park in Denver, July 09, 2014. After the speech President Obama will attend a private luncheon at the Westin Denver Downtown hotel to raise money for U.S. Sen. Mark Udall's re-election campaign.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post
President Barack Obama speaking to uniformed officers community leaders at the Denver Police Academy calling for Congress to act more like the state's Democratic-controlled legislature to pass stronger gun-control laws April 3, 2013 Denver.
Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images
Former U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with a bystander wearing a horse head mask on street in Denver on July 8, 2014.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post
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Former President Barack Obama holds a rally that is part of a coast-to-coast campaign barnstorm of swing states at the Meadow in City Park Denver on Wednesday. Oct. 24, 2012.
Pabon says if his resolution is successful, Colorado will become the first state in the U.S. to honor Obama — the nation’s first black president — in such a way.
“It’s a historic stretch of highway near Mile High Stadium where he accepted the Democratic nomination and went on to become president,” Pabon said, referring the Democratic National Convention held in Denver in 2008.
The resolution does not involve money to erect signs commemorating Obama, but allows for gifts, grants and donations to cover the costs.
Rep. Alexander “Skinny” Winkler, R-Northglenn, said it’s too soon. “We should let the country simmer on Obama’s legacy. We don’t know what it is yet.”
The resolution, which is likely to pass through the Democratic-controlled House, would still have to make it through the GOP-led Senate before being enacted.
The measure could come to the House floor for a vote as soon as Thursday night.
