Well, that’s what I think anyway. I saw him the first time at Denver University in 2008. I was amazed with the young senator from Illinois and took the opportunity to go see him with my family. So we all took the day off from school and work for this much anticipated event.
While we stood in line, Obama’s vehicle pulled past us near the rear of the auditorium, we saw him exit and walk into the building. Piece of cake, so I thought. I was stunned to find out that the line we were in was at the end of a line that wrapped around for over a mile. We walked in that line for hours to get into that same auditorium. We had eTickets for the event. It turns out that everyone else did too. Line rumor had it that the auditorium filled up so people were being steered to a gymnasium nearby.
It was a cool, sunny and dry February day with no wind. The sky was that famous Colorado blue. The weather turned out to be a blessing because as our miles long line finally made its way to the event area, we found out that we wouldn’t be able to get into either building, they were full to capacity. We were then herded into the lacrosse field. They set up speakers outside so we could hear his speech. I thought, damn!
One of my daughters, who was volunteering for Obama at his office in Fort Collins, told us not to be surprised if he came out to greet us, that he was known to do that at events where people were left on the out. And all of a sudden there he was out in the field with us, thanking us for being there. Now that was a beautiful day in Colorado.
He has made a number of stops in Colorado. Granted it’s a state he wanted to win. He went to Pueblo in the southeast, Grand Junction in the northwest and Fort Collins in the northeast. I was able to attend the event in Fort Collins, at Colorado State University; it was shortly after his Democratic nomination in Denver.
Things were a little different from the time I saw him on the lacrosse field. It was again a bright and sunny day, rich gold leaves of autumn provided a jaw dropping contrast against Colorado blue. This time the lines were again miles long, but many barriers were up, and mounted police were thick. There was no up front and personal with the crowds who couldn’t get into the gated area. Things had changed.
Here is why I think Obama is in love with Colorado. It’s not just the fact that he has been here so much and that he is again here today in Denver, where he will sign the stimulus plan. (It’s another beautiful day here, a little windy but gorgeous).
I believe that he has been struck by Chief Niwot’s curse. During western expansion when Chief Niwot, also known as Left-Hand, an Arapahoe Chief saw the writing on the wall, he put a curse on all who come here, upon seeing the beauty will want to stay. There will always be a yearning in the heart for the rugged beauty of Colorado. I think Obama will come as often as he can and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him stay some day.