On Monday, the “Convention Conversations” series returns to the Denver Metro area – featuring the DNCC’s own Leah Daughtry and 7th District Congressman Ed Perlmutter, who joins us today with a guest blog post...

I just want to take the time to invite people to come out to the DNCC Convention Conversation on Monday in Lakewood.   As the Representative from the 7th Congressional District, I want to encourage everyone to participate in this democratic process.  The Convention will be a way for our community to be a part of history, and to share our values and history with the world.  At the forum on Monday, we will talk about ways you can be involved with events surrounding the Convention, talk about the benefits to businesses and surrounding communities, learn more about who is going to be here and when they will be arriving, opportunities for students, and much more.  It’s a chance to ask questions and get them answered.  I’m excited our state and region has the chance to host this historic Convention.

Mark your calendar:

What: “Convention Conversations” Community Forum
Who:  DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry & U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter
Where: The Belmar Center in Lakewood - Map it
When: 11:30 a.m., Monday, March 3, 2008

Please RSVP to rsvp@demconvention.com, as space is limited.

We’ve posted a few times on the Write to Lead essay contest for Colorado youth, and it looks like you’ve been reading… and writing!  The essays have already started coming in, and it’s great to see the big ideas that Colorado students have about leadership and the future of our country.  The Boulder Daily Camera recently wrote an article on Patrick Garrett, a Boulder High School junior who penned the very first Write to Lead entry. Take a look at the Camera’s article here.

The deadline for Write to Lead is April 18, so if you haven’t started writing yet, check out the Write to Lead page at DemConvention.com here and watch our video from the launch of the contest here.  Finalists will have the opportunity to serve as ambassadors to state delegations from across the country, and two Presidential Winners will attend the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver – so don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

The style and form of the Democratic National Convention has changed greatly since the first Convention in 1832.  And while this summer’s Convention will be filled with cutting-edge technology designed to bring the Convention experience to more people than ever before, there are many traditional aspects of the Democratic National Convention that will give 2008 shades of Conventions almost 200 years ago.

Now at DemConvention.com you can see the evolution of the Convention at our Historic Photos page.  Take a look back through pictures of historic memorabilia, speeches and Convention halls from 1840 through 2004.  Each of these images shows a glimpse of some of the most significant moments in American history.  We hope you are looking forward to the next truly historic Democratic National Convention in Denver this August -- when we'll create our own set of archival photos to be enjoyed for years to come.

Yesterday we posted here on our service project at Clinica Tepeyac in Denver -- part of the DNCC Service Days series.  For a closer look at our service project and Texas State Senator Van de Putte’s visit, check out our new video chronicling the event below.

While me might seem like unlikely allies, we’re putting aside our differences and joining forces with our counterparts in St. Paul to build two new homes to support Homes for Our Troops, a non-profit organization committed to building specially adapted homes across the United States for severely wounded American troops.

In the months leading up to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, staff in both Colorado and Minnesota will work with Homes for Our Troops, the Credit Union National Association and the National Journal Group to build a house in each Convention host city. The homes, uniquely outfitted for the special needs of these great Americans, will be presented to veterans around our respective Conventions.
 
 
 
The Denver home will go to Staff Sergeant (SSG) Travis Strong, his wife Misty, daughter Brianna and son Sean. Originally from California, Strong entered the Army after graduating from high school and has served for the past 11 years. During his second tour of duty in Iraq in November 2006, while on patrol as Vehicle Commander for Stryker Brigade  1-23, Travis lost both of his legs when an explosion rocked his platoon.

After about a year in Walter Reed Medical Center, Travis and his family moved to San Diego, CA, for his rehabilitation therapy in January 2007. Travis loves the outdoors and is determined to return to the activities he loved before his injury. Since returning from Iraq, he has spent time in Colorado learning how to mono-ski. Travis and his family are looking forward to moving in to their new home and taking advantage of their new life in the Rocky Mountain West – and we’re incredibly proud to lend a hand in making that possible.

To read more about this project, click here.

In our seventh community service project in the Denver area, DNCC staff spent yesterday at Clinica Tepeyac, a community health center serving uninsured working families in Denver.  Around 20 staffers crammed around a conference table piled high with files and compiled statistical information for the clinic.  The paperwork needed to be prepared for the clinic’s application for State Primary Care Funds, which could provide Clinica Tepeyac with more than $400,000 in funding.

Joining us was Texas State Senator and Co-Chair of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Leticia Van de Putte.  As a pharmacist for more than 28 years, Senator Van de Putte is a strong advocate for children, veterans, improved access to health care, quality education and economic development issues.  The clinic’s executive director, David Lack showed Senator Van de Putte around Clinica Tepeyac, along with DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry and 9th district City Councilwoman Judy H. Montero.  Check out this article by the Associated Press on our day at the clinic.

DNCC Service Days are monthly projects that focus in one of three areas: youth, greening and the combined issues of homelessness and hunger.  To see our previous posts on service events, click here.  Also, check back soon to see video from this event.

After several months out on the road – traveling to Pueblo, Boulder and even over the state line to Las Vegas – the “Convention Conversations” community forum series returns to the Denver metro area on March 3rd, when 7th District Congressman Ed Perlmutter joins DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry at the Belmar Center in Lakewood.

After unprecedented turnout and enthusiasm around Colorado’s early caucuses, this latest “Convention Conversations” community forum will provide an opportunity to find out how you can get engaged in the next step of the political process: the 2008 Democratic National Convention right here in Denver. We welcome your questions and ideas on making the 2008 Convention the most exciting and successful yet.

Mark your calendar:

What: “Convention Conversations” Community Forum
Who:  DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry & U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter
Where: The Belmar Center in Lakewood - Map it
When: 11:30 a.m., Monday, March 3, 2008

Please RSVP to rsvp@demconvention.com, as space is limited.

This week we were proud to announce the DNCC’s construction management team.  The Denver-based partnership of Alvarado-Turner-HOK will be in charge of transforming the Pepsi Center into the 2008 Democratic National Convention hall.  The process will include designing and constructing the staging area for the Convention inside the Pepsi Center and then restoring the building as if we never stepped foot inside.

We’re also extremely proud of the fact that this minority and woman owned team will run the construction project with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.  Linda Alvarado, President of Alvarado Construction, will be our go-to throughout the construction process.  She is no stranger to overcoming obstacles and achieving what others believe to be the heaviest of lifts – she has even made history as the first Hispanic American owner of a major league baseball franchise. Colorado’s own, of course!

The materials and methods used in building out the hall will also reflect sustainable building practices, helping to make this the greenest political convention in history.  Plus, many of the materials that are disassembled after the Convention will be donated to community organizations.

We were able to catch up with Linda Alvarado and the team leaders at the Pepsi Center to talk about what lies ahead of them here.  Also, check out these news stories about the newest members of our Convention team:

The Denver Post: Denver firm to prep Pepsi Center for DNC

The Rocky Mountain News: Convention-prep contract awarded 

The Denver Business Journal: Democrats pick Alvarado Construction team for Pepsi Center work

Previously, we posted here about Write to Lead, our new essay contest for Colorado youth. Now we’re back with video from the official kick-off event at East High School in Denver. Click here to watch – and start writing your essay today!

Welcome to the new online home of the Democratic National Convention Committee. We've been working hard to put together a site that engages new communities, provides up-to-the-minute news, generates interest and fuels enthusiasm around this great Convention.

But this is only the beginning. In the coming months, we'll expand the site and offer even more resources for anyone interested in getting involved. During Convention week, www.demconvention.com will become a go-to resource for delegates, media and other Convention attendees as well as a place for Democrats and netroots activists all across the country to become part of the Denver experience. Visitors to the website can now sign up to receive regular updates on Convention news, events and other developments, so make sure to do that if you haven't already.

Another great improvement on our site is the increased accessibility. We're proud to announce, the site now includes substantial Spanish-language content, bringing more people into the Convention experience than ever before. You can read what the Denver Business Journal had to say about our new site by clicking here.