Obama center stage at Invesco Field

Invesco Field in Denver. (Photo: David Zalubowski/AP, August 10, 2001)

Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for president at Invesco Field at Mile High, the party announced today.

More than 75,000 people would be able to attend the acceptance speech, the climax of the Democratic National Convention scheduled for Aug. 25-28 in Denver. The rest of the convention will remain at the Pepsi Center.

"Senator Obama's candidacy has generated an enormous amount of excitement and interest, not only in the Democratic Party but also in the 2008 convention," said party chairman Howard Dean in a statement. "By bringing the last night of the convention out to the people, we will be able to showcase Barack Obama's positive, people-centered vision for our country in a big way."

The move would not be unprecedented. In 1960, the Democratic National Convention was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. But nominee John F. Kennedy delivered his acceptance speech next door at Memorial Coliseum.

Invesco Field, home of the Denver Broncos, seats 76,125, and presumably several thousand more could fit on the field. The Pepsi Center holds fewer than 20,000 and will be restricted to delegates, media, high-dollar donors and guests of the Democratic Party.

The Democratic National Convention Committee said a special block of credentials will be reserved for Colorado residents for Thursday night's program at Invesco Field. Details about how to acquire a credential to the speech will be released in the coming weeks, the DNCC said.

"Senator Obama and the DNCC have truly brought the community into the Convention," Gov. Bill Ritter said in the DNCC news release. "This decision will enable thousands of residents from Colorado, the Rocky Mountain West and across the nation to witness history first hand. What a way to fire up our grassroots activists as we head into the fall campaign."

Bookmark/Search this post with: