Colorado delegates talk challenges of virtual Democratic National Convention

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) --    The 2020 Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but the pandemic has completely changed how delegates will meet and vote. 

No delegate was allowed to travel there, so instead of voting for the party's nominee in person, they are attending virtually from their own homes.

"What a historic time for me to be apart of something so unique," says Colorado Senator Leroy Garcia. This is Garcia's first time as a delegate but even as a newbie, he knows that he'll be missing out on a lot.

"I've never attended a convention," Garcia says, "so it's a little different not to be able to rally with everyone in a close atmosphere."

He's not alone -- more than 4,000 others will have to watch from afar, like Anthony Marow from El Paso County, who is also watching from home. He says so far, it's been a lot of Zoom calls.

"From like one o'clock in the afternoon to sometimes seven o'clock at night we are on Zoom calls," Marow says, "But a lot of it is really phone work." Marow believes the electronic nature of this convention has been stifling.

"[I'm] a little disappointed that our voices seem to be quieted because of the virtual set up that they have," Marow said.

But both delegates understand why this is the way it has to be.

Both have already cast their votes. Garcia voting for former Vice President Joe Biden and Marow voted for Senator Bernie Sanders. As for the online aspect being a part of national conventions in the future, Marow hopes that's not the case.

Marow says, "There is a real lack of energy, which is going to affect the run into November."

As for the Republican National Convention, that will start next Monday. According to the RNC website, they're planning on having six delegates from each state attend the convention. President Donald Trump said Monday he will accept his party's nomination at the White House.