An estimated 10,000 party faithful are expected to attend the state convention at Colorado Springs’ World Arena.Saturday, 9:05 Goin’ to the WA

Bus service from the DoubleTree to the World Arena came in handy. Ran into Sen. Ken Salazar and Rep. Diana DeGette. The parking lot was full by about 7:30 a.m. CD4 delegate confirmed that they ended their convention/assembly at midnight on Friday.

Leslie Robinson

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10:05 a.m. SURPRISE! The convention starts on time!

Leslie Robinson

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10:15 a.m. Gov. Bill Ritter at the podium

“Wind of change is sweeping through this country now. We need to have an energy policy that’s meaningful not only to us in Colorado but for to the planet. We need to lead the charge in global warming. Colorado is showing the way. It is about the promise of this country, we will take risks to take on challenges and Democrats will work everyday to get it done.

Leslie Robinson

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10:20 a.m. Anti-war protesters arrested outside the arena

Media reports coming out of the Springs note that Eric Verlo and Peter Froese were arrested this morning for leaving the “Free Speech Zone” outside the World Arena to display an anti-war banner.

Colorado Confidential reported last year on the arrests of Verlo and members of Pikes Peak Justice and Peace Commission at the Colorado Springs St. Paddy’s Day parade — which resulted in an internal police probe following injuries suffered by those arrested.

Wendy Norris

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10:30 Sen. Ken Salazar is next, in his white hat, jeans and jean jacket.

“We are going to end the Bush-Cheney rule and have a president named Obama or Clinton. Democrats will be united to restore America. We will bring the war in Iraq to an end. Democrats will bring healthcare for all Americans and not for the few.”

Leslie Robinson

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10:40 Rep. Diana DeGette stirs up the convention

Ready to turn Colorado completely blue? I’ve spoken before the Democratic National Convention and this looks so much more awesome. We are unified and committed to winning in November. We are going to mop the floor with John McCain. Why is this election the most important in our lifetime? It’s the time for quality healthcare for all. It’s about time to protect the environment for us and our children. And it’s time to pass my step cell legislation. We need to end the unjust war, not in 100 years, but next year. Notice that the Democrats took the last three special congressional district elections.” (“Yes, we can” reverberates through the crowd.)

Leslie Robinson

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10:59 a.m. Rep. John Salazar, also in a white hat

“We’re going to have a Democrat in the White House. It is only us and only you who can defeat ourselves. Until we know who the presidential nominee is, the important thing would be for all of us to work together.”

Leslie Robinson

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11:05: Rep. Ed Perlmutter jumps on stage to the theme of Rocky.

“Change began in the 2006 and must continue in 2008. We passed a minimum wage law and we made a college education more affordable. Our work is not complete. We can’t afford another term [like that of] George Bush. No more eavesdropping, which is against the Constitution. This is hard work to change the direction of the country. Every single day must be about changing. Each one of you knows we have huge challenges in front of us. Who’s ready to start? Who’s ready to change the White House? (Everyone jumps out of his or her chair and cheers.) After this primary season is finished, we have to come together. Change begins here in Colorado Springs.

(A side note: Every time there is mention of the U.S. getting out of the Iraq War, the audience cheers.)

Leslie Robinson

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11:15 a.m.: The nomination of Rep. Mark Udall as the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate begins

Wilma and Wellington Webb lead off a dozen or so people who nominate and second the nomination. Lights are dimmed to play a video about Udall, who, surrounded by supporters slowly weaves his way through the crowd to the stage with the spotlight on him — is that supposed to be symbolic of a “light in the darkness?”

Udall talks about breaking our addiction to foreign oil. “There’s good news, there’s answers and Colorado is leading the way. I helped make Colorado one of the leaders of renewable energy. We can’t deal with another year of an energy policy written by the oil companies.” He also talks about helping families by improving the economy and the failed Bush Administration’s foreign policy. “I opposed the Iraq War from the start” gets a standing ovation. However, there are still some anti-war shouts from the crowd during his speech. “We are still Democrats in this room … as far as I know. We are all in this together, Democrats, independents and Republicans, too.”

Udall gets the nomination by acclamation. Ritter finishes by saying, “Let’s go win this.”

Leslie Robinson

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12:15 p.m.: The CD2 candidates are invited to take the stage.

Jared Polis gives a short speech. Joan Fitz-Gerald didn’t come; she’s walking her district, the audience is told. The third Democrat in the race, Will Shafroth, is petitioning on the ballot.

Leslie Robinson

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12:25 p.m.: Terry McAuliffe, Clinton’s campaign manager, stirs up the crowd

He starts off talking more about Democrats winning in November than he does about Clinton. “It’s great to be in a Blue State and it’s going to be one unified party of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.” When he claims that out of 35 million people who have voted in the primary, Clinton has more popular vote than Obama, his comments set off a shouting match between the two camps. “Hillary, Hillary, Hillary” is drowned out by “Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama.” It takes about three minutes for the delegation to quiet down.

“Until we get to the end of the primaries, let’s have a healthy debate,” he continues. “Then we will move on to John McCain in the fall. George Bush has created a civil war in the Middle East.” The crowd boos. “This is our year,” McAuliffe continues, “And the Democrats will run the country again.”

Leslie Robinson

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1 p.m. The Platform

They saved the strongest position for last: Censure and Impeachment. No person is above the law. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney have abused their power. They should be investigated, censured and, if appropriate, impeached.

The crowd goes wild.

Other platform positions adopted underscore commitment to a strong economy and jobs creation; campaign, election and media reform; and reproductive choice. Also top platform positions:

– Supporting the “immediate, safe and responsible withdrawal” of U.S. troops from Iraq.

– Denouncing the use of torture

– Strong public education.

– Energy – Colorado should be a national leader in sustainable energy development

– Science and technology – “We believe in the power of the human mind” – and not politicizing scientific studies.

Cara DeGette

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1:10 p.m.: Democratic State Senate and Representatives – show and tell

Senate President Peter Groff introduces current members of the state senate and also the 2008 candidates. “We don’t stop at president or congressional candidates on the ballot, vote for all Democrats on the ticket.”

House Speaker Andrew Romanoff recognizes the Democratic representatives – and the candidates they are running for open and currently GOP-occupied seats. Introducing Anna Lord, who is challenging Republican Rep. Bob Gardner in Colorado Springs this year, Romanoff says of El Paso County, “We’re slowly turning it from a deep and ugly red to a bright and beautiful blue.” (Currently, two Democrats hold legislative seats from this Republican stronghold, more than in anyone’s memory)

Rep. Bernie Buescher from Mesa County steps up to the microphone and asks the state convention delegation to give their thanks to the term-limited Romanoff, who gets a standing ovation.

Leslie Robinson and Cara DeGette

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1:30 p.m. – Betsy Markey, Hank Eng and Hal Bidlack come on up

“I’m Betsy Markey and I’m working very hard to retire Marilyn Musgrave,” says Markey, running for the 4th Congressional District. The cheers are very loud.

Eng, running in the 5th CD to replace Republican, talks for a really long time about restoring America’s dream.

“This administration has … taught this nation how to fear. We’re going to take this country back to the nation we all believe in.”

Eng, whose parents were Chinese immigrants, also spoke of the handful of Republicans vying to replace Tancredo. “They want to carry on the legacy of Tom Tancredo, ” Eng says. “Boooooo!” yells the crowd.

Hal Bidlack is running against whoever wins the Republican primary in the 5th CD – and whether the candidate is incumbent Rep. Doug Lamborn, Jeff Crank or Bentley Rayburn, Bidlack says, “We can do better, we must do better.”

“This race is not about the left or the right; it’s about moving forward,” he says. And of Lamborn, who the Democrat calls being in “lockstep with the White House,” Bidlack says “He’s not a bad man, he just needs to find a different line of work.”

Bidlack sets some kind of record – he sticks to his four minutes of floor time.

Cara DeGette

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2:20 Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano stumps for Obama

“I’m proud to be here for the Obama campaign and proud to nominate him for president of the United States,” Napolitano begins. “Why did I make this decision to support Obama? I was looking for a new president of this new century.”

“Obama, Obama, Obama” chants the audience for a couple of minutes.

“Welcome to the Obama team,” Napolitano continues. “I can tell already there are a lot of people who already made up their mind.” More cheering and whistling. “I have this message: we are not done yet. We need to reach out to other Democrats for the next president, Barack Obama.” Clinton supporters start booing, but then Napolitano mentions Sen. John McCain and the boos blend into the whole delegation.

“Don’t underestimate McCain — we’re going to be more tireless than he is and when we reach beyond this hall to other Coloradans, we have an important message to send fellow Americans – we can do better.”

“Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Yes, we can,” the audience chants, echoing the continuing refrain of the day.

“Do you want a third term of the same? Do you want a McBush? We are all Democrats and this is our time to make our mark. Americans can do better and it’s time to make Barack Obama our next president,” Napolitano says. She gets a standing ovation as she leaves the stage and an Obama cardboard figure gets walked up and down the aisles in a flurry of Obama signs.

Leslie Robinson

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2:35 p.m.: A moment for Ted Kennedy

CDP Chair Pat Waak takes the stage to announce that U.S. Senator Kennedy is in the hospital for tests after suffering a seizure. “Let us send our good thoughts and prayers to him.”

Leslie Robinson

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3:10 p.m.: Stump speeches over; now to the business of voting

The state delegates are now going to make their selection for presidential preference. Voting will commence for the selection of Democratic National committee people and for the at-large and party leader national convention delegates, too.  We will sign off now and give you the results when the state party makes them available.

Were you at the state Democratic convention? Add your comments on the event.

Leslie Robinson and Cara DeGette

Get the latest updates on news, photos and gossip below the fold. Friday, 12:15 p.m.: Presidential speakers lined up
Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Matt Sugar confirmed that Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano will be speaking in behalf of presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama. Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe will be representing his candidate at the convention on Saturday at the World Arena, time TBA. The presidential preference poll will be taken after the guest speakers have made their presentations.

Leslie Robinson

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1:30 p.m.: Trouble’s brewing from Western Slope delegations
Out of the congressional district national delegate races completed so far, including CD1, CD2, CD6 and CD7, no delegates have been selected from rural towns. Delegate addresses range from Boulder, Denver, Littleton, Lakewood and Aurora.

One state delegate for Obama, Kim Doyle-Wille from Eagle County, is taking steps that rural Colorado is represented on some of the 55 national delegate seats. (Of the 70 national delegate seats from Colorado, three out of 15 superdelegates are from rural areas: Dem Party vice chair Dan Slater from Canon City; DNC member Debbie Marquez from Edwards; and Rep. John Salazar from Manassas.) Doyle-Wille has formed an ad-hoc committee called “COMOCO” for Coalition of Mountain Counties united for fair representation of Colorado.

Doyle-Wille sent this email out to 39 mountain and rural counties on the Western Slope with the intent to “unify delegations to obtain fair representation” from CD3 and CD4 on the national delegation slate:

The results of the CD1, CD2, CD6 & CD7 delegate selections for the Democratic National Convention bring to light an important issue of representation for rural Colorado Mountain Communities.

It would appear that rural communities are being annihilated by the demographics of the political ‘machines’ of the large counties and cities of the Front Range. Thus far NOT ONE rural or mountain county has seated a delegate for the upcoming Democratic National Convention.

This is what needs to occur on behalf of the COMOCO delegates: slate (Western Slope national delegate candidates) by State Convention time and also at the upcoming CD3 and CD5 Conventions or there WILL be repeats of the outcomes seen in the CD results to date.

For this reason, we are working hard to unite as a force through the Coalition of Mountain Counties, ‘COMOCO’, to show our strength, passion and hard work that has been done, at the upcoming State Convention in Colorado Springs. We believe that the metropolitan concerns, in their zeal to compete against other large counties within their CD’s have unintentionally disenfranchised the ‘backbone’ of Colorado

Doyle-Wille is planning a COMOCO meeting when she arrives in the Springs this afternoon, time TBA. More info will be reported when available.

Leslie Robinson

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2:35 p.m.: Well, so much for the convenience of early registration
Over 600 people have lined up in the DoubleTree lobby and into the hallways as they wait to sign up for early registration. In the background over the loudspeaker, hotel management warns people to move their cars from the shopping center parking lot across from the hotel. The problem is there is no where else to park.

Leslie Robinson

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2:40 p.m.: Obama and Clinton supporters dot the registration line
Cyndy Kulp (left) and Patricia Gooden (right), Democrats from Colorado Springs tip their hats for Obama.

Leslie Robinson

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2:55 p.m. Chuck Bader from the AFL-CIO is no doubt a Clinton fan
Leslie Robinson

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6 p.m.: They’re pretty sure she’s gonna blow
The Pikes Peak/Mount McKinley jokes are flying – including among Democratic spokespeople Matt Sugar and Lauren Rose.

“It’s beautiful to be back in the shadow of Mount McKinley,” Sugar says with a broad smile, a not-subtle swipe at the Bob Schaffer for US Senate TV ad that was pulled this week, in which the Republican brags that he proposed to his wife on the top of Pikes Peak, with a photo of Alaska’s Mount McKinley in the background. Pikes Peak of course, provides a dramatic backdrop to the City of Colorado Springs.

As a matter of fact, Sugar notes, the press should have a pretty good view during the convention tomorrow.

“I think from the press room [at the convention hall] you can see Mount McKinley,” Sugar says.

There are plenty of Hillary signs, and a smattering of Obama signs, planted in the medium on the way into the convention hotel, the Doubletree. But no sign, at least today, of any protesters — particularly those of the elephant persuasion who may not be too happy about the flood of donkeys streaming into this Republican stronghold.

So where, exactly is the free speech zone going to be set up for any protesters? Sugar and Rose aren’t exactly sure that there will be one, but they’re happy to venture a guess:

“That would be at the base of Mount McKinley,” Rose says.

Cara DeGette

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6:30 p.m.: Delays, delays
Although CD5 convention and assembly was supposed to start at 4 p.m., the meeting hasn’t officially begun because the alternates have not been seated. The problem? Long registration lines from the afternoon and now the registrars can’t find the alternate list. So all the county chairs in CD5 have to go back to the registration tables to help with the alternate check-in. People groan. Outside, CD3 delegates wait. And groan. Their meeting was slated for 6 p.m., but now it has been rescheduled for 8 p.m. shoving the CD4 meeting to at least 10 p.m. or later. More groans.

In the background, announcements that anyone parking in the Target parking lot across from the hotel will find their car towed. Some CD5 delegates start for the door. Another announcement: “Come back! Come back! Target won’t tow!” (Good PR move on Target’s part.) Cheers and applause erupt.

In the meanwhile, Democratic VIP’s work the halls. Wellington and Wilma Webb; Rep. John Salazar; and CD4 congressional candidate, Betsy Markey.

Leslie Robinson

7:12 p.m. CD4 is still rounding up alternates; CD3 goes to Plan B
The lobby of the Doubletree Hotel is filling up fast. Delegates from CD3 (Western Slope) are told to wait there until another meeting room is arranged. It’s really getting hot and noisy. Paul Brown from Mesa County says, “This can’t be good,” as he looks at the growing crowd. Another delegate asks, “Is anyone in charge?” In the meantime, national delegate candidates work the group and their volunteers hold up signs.

“I thought our caucuses were unorganized. This makes us look good,” Delta County Democratic Party chair Eric Jessen comments, looking at the crowd. He said he wasn’t a delegate because he wanted new people to come and “experience the chaos.”

Rep. John Salazar takes control of the hundreds of CD3 delegates jammed into the lobby. “We’re moving this to the outside!” Everyone cheers and heads to the door.

Outside, Salazar is nominated by acclamation during the assembly portion of the meeting. For the national delegate selection, everyone has to stream back inside to the ballroom. The CD5 meeting is finally finished, but no one will know the results of the national delegate election until tomorrow.

Leslie Robinson

9:15 p.m.: It’s not over yet

Obama (cutout) and Robert Michael from Ft. Collins share a moment in the hotel hallway as CD4 delegates wait for CD3 to finish their meeting. It could be a long wait since someone in the hotel lobby with a bullhorn is asking for Obama alternates for CD3. Some Clinton delegates and alternates were a no-show to the CD3 convention, so Obama alternates can be seated in their place. There is another glitch in CD3 – none of the Mesa County delegates have been given the proper credentials, so hundreds of CD3 delegates have to wait for Mesa County to be checked-in.

Rep. John Salazar takes the microphone to kill some time and to thank the delegation for their support. “The Third is the most beautiful district in the nation and I plan on keeping it that way,” he tells the CD3 convention delegation. “I’m going to fight oil and gas to make sure the Roan Plateau remains pristine!” That line brings down the house in applause. “I’m going to fight for farmers and ranchers even if I have to take on the U.S. Army personally!” More roars come from the audience.

Back in the lobby, CD4 delegates hang out, waiting their turn in the ballroom for their convention. Maybe they’ll get done by midnight tonight.

Jack Real, a volunteer from Garfield County, notes that some people today had to wait in line for more than three hours to be registered. “They were told there weren’t enough computers to handle the crowd. Didn’t the party know anyone was coming?” he asks sarcastically.

All of a sudden, there are drums beating and thumping. A drum corps from the Sienna High School is performing. They are entertaining, but one wonders who came up with the idea to play drums at 9:30 at night. “We were invited to come,” a student says, but he didn’t explain if the invite came from the Democrats or the Republicans.

However, after nine hours of intense confusion, drums are just what tired Democrats needed — for an excuse to go to the bar.

Leslie Robinson

Tune in tomorrow for Colorado Confidential’s continuing live coverage from the bowl (or is it bowels) of the World Arena for the Colorado Democratic Party convention.