Politics

No, It Wasn’t Legal Pot That Doomed Denver’s RNC Bid

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Greg Campbell Contributor
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In the end, it wasn’t legal pot or tough new gun control laws that doomed Denver’s bid to host the 2016 Republican National Convention, but more likely because of a shortfall in its fundraising. (RELATED: 2016 GOP Convention Will Either Be In Cleveland or Dallas)

Denver had only raised $11 million in private and corporate donations, the least among of any of the contender cities, according to the Denver Post, and it was the only city under consideration that hadn’t committed public funds to the effort.

Finalist city Dallas, on the other hand, has already pledged $45 million in public and private funds for the convention. The RNC has said the host city would eventually need to raise at least $60 million for the event.

Cleveland is also under consideration.

According to the Post, Denver also failed to increase its pledges since a site visit by committee members earlier in the month, although Angela Lieurance, the director of the city’s host committee, told the paper that there were several big money donors waiting in the wings to commit their cash if Denver had been selected.

“While we’re thrilled to have made it this far, we are disappointed with today’s decision,” chairman of the bid committee Pete Coors said in a statement to the Post. “Denver has the amenities, the community, the political climate and a proven track record that would have made it the perfect place to host the 2016 Republican National Convention.”

The RNC will vote on the final host city at its annual meeting in August.

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