Denver among 3 finalists for 2028 Democratic National Convention
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The Denver skyline. Photo: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Denver is one step closer to hosting the 2028 Democratic National Convention after advancing to the final three along with Boston and Philadelphia.
Why it matters: Denver's within striking distance of hosting its first Democratic convention in two decades — an event projected to generate $400 million in economic impact — despite questions about whether Colorado's safely blue politics would hurt its bid.
Driving the news: The Democratic National Committee announced Thursday that Denver, Boston and Philadelphia advanced, eliminating Atlanta and Chicago from contention.
The convention is scheduled for Aug. 7–10, 2028.
What they're saying: "We proved what this city could do when we hosted in 2008, and we've only gotten better since," Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said in a statement Thursday.
- Johnston touted Denver's transit, venues and hospitality scene, plus what he called the "unbeatable energy of the Rocky Mountain West."
By the numbers: The Colorado Democratic Party is touting the city's capacity to handle a major convention, including 13,700 hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center.
- Ball Arena has undergone upgrades, including suite improvements and ADA access.
The intrigue: Denver's advancement eases one concern that had hung over its bid: whether Democrats would favor a city in a more competitive state.
- Some Colorado Democrats previously told Axios they worried the state's recent progressive primary victories could further complicate Denver's case.
- Those concerns appeared especially relevant when Atlanta — in a Sun Belt battleground that national Democrats have identified as increasingly important — was among Denver's competitors.
- Atlanta's elimination leaves Philadelphia as the only finalist in a presidential battleground state.
Flashback: Denver is leaning heavily on 2008, when the city last hosted the DNC and Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination before winning the White House that fall.
- U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, Denver's mayor at the time, previously told Axios that Colorado offers Democrats "a model for what's possible."
- Johnston said Thursday that the 2008 convention showed what Denver could handle.
Zoom out: All three finalists have convention experience. Boston also hosted Democrats in 2004 and Philadelphia in 2016.
What's next: A final host city is expected to be selected later this year, according to the Colorado Democratic Party.
- Republicans have already picked Houston to host their 2028 convention.