By Shelley Conroy
Congressional Quarterly

Electoral votes: 8

Delegates: 61

Chairman: Tim Knaus

Hotel: Omni Los Angeles (213) 617-3300

1996 Election:
Dole – 46%
Clinton – 44%
Perot – 7%

Although Colorado staged its Democratic presidential primary on the seemingly early date of March 10, the competitive part of the campaign was already over.

Vice President Al Gore, who had swept the long list of state primaries three days earlier to virtually clinch the presidential nomination, took 71 percent of the Colorado vote, to 23 percent for former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley.

Of the state's 61 delegates, all but seven are pledged to Gore. Their near-solid loyalty to Gore has enabled Colorado's national convention delegates to focus on issues, according to party officials.

Rosemarie McDermott, first vice chairman of the state Democratic Party, said she believed that the delegation would emphasize campaign finance issues and health care, including prescription drug coverage through Medicare.

State Democratic Party Second Vice Chairman Mannie Rodriguez said that education also would be a priority, as would gun control, especially in light of the April 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo.

State Democratic Party Chairman Tim Knaus is chairing the delegation. The best known delegate is former Gov. Roy Romer, former national chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who recently accepted an appointment to head the Los Angeles school system.

Colorado Democratic strategists face the reality that their state - though not out of reach for their party - has a strong strain of Western conservatism that often boosts Republicans to victory. In 1996, for example, Republican nominee Bob Dole edged President Clinton in Colorado by 46 percent to 44 percent.

In light of this, many of the state's Democratic delegates are comfortable with Gore's decision to craft a centrist, "New Democratic" platform for the convention. Said McDermott, "It's good that we've come closer to the center to appeal to more voters, as long we continue to stay true to our values."

The Colorado delegation includes two U.S. House incumbents.

Two-term Rep. Diana DeGette is heavily favored for re-election in the Denver-based 1st District, Colorado's foremost Democratic stronghold.

Freshman Rep. Mark Udall may face a tougher race in the more politically competitive 2nd District, which includes Denver's northwest suburbs, though he caught a break when his 1998 Republican opponent, well-known former Boulder Mayor Bob Greenlee, decided not to seek a rematch this year.

The delegation has a fairly large representation of minorities, including nearly 20 Hispanic members.

COLORADO NOTABLES: State Democratic Party Chairman Tim Knaus, the delegation chairman; former Gov. Roy Romer, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, who has been appointed head of the Los Angeles school system; Reps. Diana DeGette and Mark Udall.