Hundreds attend Western Conservative Summit, hear from gubernatorial candidates

The largest gathering of conservatives outside of Washington D.C. started in Denver on Friday. The Western Conservative Summit featuring speakers like Republican Senator Cory Gardner and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions kicked off this morning.

The Colorado Convention Center was filled with people hoping to elect a GOP governor in the next election and see a clearer focus on issues that matter to them.

Sen. Gardner was the first main speaker. He focused on two primary sides of the political spectrum, Republicans and Democrats. He said, “Democrats want people to believe that all of this is the government’s job. Republicans believe it’s the government’s job to stand down to step back and ensure that we the people continue to work hard and raise and to live our lives in freedom.” The crowd followed with applause.

The hundreds of conservatives that filled the room were happy to be among people who shared the same political focus. Deborah Castelli, a Parker Resident said, “I’m so happy to hear that there are people in Colorado government who want to be in Colorado government that have true conservative agendas through conservative principles.”

Also in the crowd were young adults, like 14-year-old Rebekka Gaulrapp from Douglas County who said she wanted to break the stereotype her generation holds. She said, “It makes me feel good that I can be a part of my generation there’s also a stereotype that people in my generation like millennials are all liberals and I want to break that.”

The biggest highlight for attendees was hearing from Colorado gubernatorial candidates. First up was Walker Stapleton who said he wanted to appeal to all voters in the state, “I think Colorado is a mixed bag and I think it is going to be incumbent to have an inclusive message that brings all people in. That’s what leadership is all about.”

Next was Doug Robinson, who got a rise from voters by touching on a subject that affects everyone; the roads. He said, “Fix our roads! That means I25, four lanes both directions from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins, no tolls, no new taxes.”

The events continue tomorrow where people will also hear from the last two candidates, Victor Mitchell and Greg Lopez.