How Denver is pitching itself for the DNC in 2028
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The Democratic Party needs a new path forward and it leads through Denver, Mayor Mike Johnston says in his bid for the party's 2028 national convention.
Why it matters: The appeal to the party's democratic values sets Denver's campaign for the convention apart from its competitors, a review of the bids shows.
State of play: In a video submitted as part of Denver's proposal, Johnston said, "The convention is not just about what America can dream, but what we have delivered."
- He pointed to the city's ability to house people who are homeless, its decreasing crime rates and its union-friendly politics and minimum wage hikes.
- He also touted Colorado's universal preschool and constitutional amendment protecting abortion access.
What he's saying: "Denver is a lantern sitting atop the great Colorado Rockies, shining a light into the darkness, a beacon of what is still possible when we lead with courage and conviction," Johnston says in his soliloquy from a script he largely wrote.
Between the lines: Chicago hosted the 2024 Democratic convention, and in its bid for 2028, the city refers to itself as "the heartland of democracy" but is less specific on its values compared to Denver's.
- Philadelphia's mayor says the city's standing as the "birthplace of American democracy" is a fitting setting to launch the party's future but offered few other details.
- Atlanta and Boston are also making host bids.
The big picture: Denver's bid is forward-looking, but it makes a nod to Democratic nostalgia and dominance.
- The 2028 convention will mark 20 years since Denver hosted the convention and nominated Barack Obama for president, and 10 years since the party took over Colorado and gained complete control of the lawmaking process.
The Johnston administration also contends the 2008 convention proved the city could host an event that is expected to draw more than 30,000 people.
- And the infrastructure needed to make it happen has only improved, Johnston says, noting new hotels, an improved 16th Street, a larger convention center and a rail line from the airport to downtown.
What's next: Johnston is ready to show off the new amenities when national party leaders visit Denver this spring to evaluate the city's potential to host the convention.