Trump to campaign in Springs Friday, protest planned

Donald Trump will soon make his first campaign stop in Southern Colorado as he tries to shore up GOP stronghold El Paso County in this battleground state worth nine electoral votes on November 8.

According to his website, he will hold a town hall at 2 p.m. Friday at the Gallogly Events Center on the UCCS campus.

Some supporters like UCCS junior Taylor Fhuere already have their tickets.

“I am genuinely excited for it,” Fhuere said. “I was prepared to drive anywhere around Colorado or Colorado Springs. I’m a huge fan, I’m ready to see him.”

There is a protest planned.

A “Love Trumps Hate” Facebook page was created by activist Crystal Cravens.

“I really don’t appreciate his message which is to divide Americans,” Cravens said. “I love people from every single gender, demographic and background. It really upsets me he would bring that message here and divide our community.”

Cravens promises a peaceful demonstration.

“I’m not trying to demonstrate against his supporters,” she said. “By all means they have a right to do that. this is not to try to sway Donald Trump or his supporters because I’m not going to do that.”

Friday will mark Trump’s second visit to Colorado in the campaign. He came to Denver for the Western Conservative Summit July 1.

Hillary Clinton has campaigned in Colorado five times, most recently at the end of June.