Potential 2016 GOP Convention Host Cities Make Their Case to the RNC...4 / 6 >  

March 3, 2014 - Denver hopes to benefit from its experience having hosted the successful 2008 Democratic National Convention.  The Denver 2016 Convention Host Committee's bid totaled about 700 pages including appendices.  Speaking to reporters after their presentation Mayor Michael Hancock, a Democrat, asked, "Where on earth would you rather be?"  "We think experience matters," he said.  Former RNC chairman Jim Nicholson, who oversaw the party's site selection process in the 2000 cycle, said Denver stands out because of "the experience of the city and the desire of the city."  Ryan Call, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party expressed confidence that with the support of members of business community, individuals and philanthropic organizations Denver would be able to meet the RNC's financial goal. 

Asked by a reporter if legalization of marijuana in the state (approved by voters in 2012) could hamper Denver's bid, Call said that the issue could even prove to be an advantage as people from other states would "see how we've made it work."  In response to another question, Call noted that Denver has seven major sports teams.  He conceded that June would be "real hard for us to do," and said Denver's preferred date would be late July.  He said five weeks to build out would be ample and said he was "very confident" in the ability to turn the Pepsi Center around quickly.  Bob Beauprez, chairman of the host committee, joined Hancock, Call and Nicholson in speaking to reporters.  Beauprez is a former Colorado Republican chairman, congressman and gubernatorial candidate; it was reported just today that he will be making a run for governor in 2014. 

The nine people making Denver's presentation were Beauprez, Hancock, Call, Nicholson, Denver chief of police Robert White, former Denver Mayor Bill Vidal, Richard Scharf, president and CEO of VISIT DENVER, The Convention and Visitors Bureau and Rachel Benedict, vice president of sales at VISIT DENVER.






Members of the Denver team at RNC headquarters prior to their presentation; in center are Mayor Michael Hancock, Angela Lieurance, executive director of the Host Committee, and Bob Beauprez, chairman of the Host Committee.
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