This summer, online outlets will have better opportunities than ever to cover the Democratic Convention.  Whether you're blogging in Denver or watching streaming video from afar, the DNCC staff wants to make certain you have incredible access to the event.

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In a conference call with reporters yesterday, Ricky Kirshner and Mark Squier, Executive Producers for the Convention, said heightened voter enthusiasm this election cycle has translated into higher ratings for debates and election night coverage. And the television networks are taking note.

"If you check the ratings for the debates on CNN, MSNBC and Fox, it's been through the roof, it's been unprecedented," Kirshner said. "So, clearly the major networks see the excitement, and they want to cover the convention this year."

Kirschner and Squier promised to “tear down the walls” of the Pepsi Center and offer a more interactive Convention experience for TV and online viewers.

Read Q&A with Convention production team.

As the enthusiasm continues to grow in the lead-up to the Convention in August, the DNCC’s traveling community forum series is hitting the road once again. On Friday, April 4th at 11:00 am MT, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon will join DNCC CEO Leah D. Daughtry at the Memorial House in Salt Lake City to provide Utahns with the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and find out how they can take advantage of the historic regional opportunities presented to local residents as the eyes of the world turn toward the Rocky Mountain West.

At a forum with young women leaders from Colorado Springs, Lieutenant Governor Barbara O’Brien continued her statewide swing today to promote student participation in the “Write to Lead” youth essay contest.

O’Brien met with female students from Carmel Middle School enrolled in the InterCept program, an initiative of the Women’s Resource Agency designed to empower young women to develop leadership and mentoring skills, work toward a positive future and make healthy life choices. O’Brien shared her thoughts on leadership and our country’s future and answered a number of dynamic questions from the young audience.

There was no shortage of green ties or agreement across party lines at the Pepsi Center this morning, that the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver would be the greenest on record.  But don’t take our word for it.  Watch the video below to hear Colorado’s Governor and a Bush administration EPA official singing the same tune.

While the Convention may seem a long way off, there’s a lot going on at the DNCC as we lay the groundwork for the historic event that will put our nominee on a path to victory in November. With all the focus on the primary race, you may have missed some of the news the Convention in Denver is making. Check out just a few of the stories from this week.

UPDATE: Check out this video for a taste of a few of the pieces of art found in our office.

The local CBS affiliate in Denver trailed DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry last week for a behind-the-scenes look at all that goes in to preparations for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

We posted earlier this week about the fifth “Convention Conversations” community forum in Lakewood, Colorado.  If you couldn’t make it out on Monday, you can catch up on everything you missed right here at DemConvention.com, with video from DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry, U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter and the Q&A session that followed.

DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry talks about planning for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver and the ways in which the residents of Lakewood and surrounding communities can get involved.

U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter (CO-7) discusses his experiences at past Conventions and what Denver and Lakewood can expect from the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry and U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter answer Lakewood residents’ questions about the 2008 Democratic National Convention.  Topics include Convention speakers, housing, surrounding events and super delegates.

Students at Summit High School in the snowy, mountain town of Frisco, Colorado received a special visit today from Lieutenant Governor Barbara O’Brien -- the first stop in a statewide swing to promote student participation in “Write to Lead,” a unique opportunity for Colorado youth to become involved in the 2008 Democratic National Convention experience.

At our fifth community forum, DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry joined U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Lakewood Mayor Bob Murphy and a great crowd of local Democrats and business owners in Lakewood, Colorado.  The speakers discussed the opportunities for economic benefit that the City of Lakewood faces in the run up to and during the 2008 Democratic National Convention and also outlined the many ways that Lakewood residents can become involved.  The forum took place in the new downtown Belmar area, a modern and attractive array of residences, restaurants and boutiques in Lakewood.  Leah and Congressman Perlmutter discussed the opportunities for the city as a destination for delegates and other guests during the Convention.  Click the video below to see a quick teaser of the “Convention Conversations” in Lakewood.  Additional video from the event will be available soon.  You can also see what the Associated Press had to say about the event here.



The “Convention Conversations” series was launched in Denver last September and has travelled to Pueblo, Boulder and Las Vegas in the past few months.  Blog entries and videos from past community forums can be found here.