<\/p>\n
DENVER \u2013 Colorado was well represented Thursday for the historic moment when Hillary Clinton become the first woman to win a major party\u2019s nomination for president.<\/p>\n
Gov. John Hickenlooper told the nation of his career successes and woes at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia, stating the case for Clinton.<\/p>\n
He spoke for five minutes in a prime-time slot on the coveted stage, about two hours before Clinton would accept the nomination in an emotional moment for many observers.<\/p>\n
House Democratic Leader Crisanta Duran of Denver also spoke at the convention, drawing upon her personal experiences in backing Clinton.<\/p>\n
And at a campaign event in Denver, about 250 Clinton supporters watched in awe as their political hero \u201cbroke the glass ceiling.\u201d The Denver event was one of four national watch parties hosted by the Clinton campaign. Live footage of the event was streamed at the DNC.<\/p>\n
\u201cHillary! Hillary! Hillary!\u201d they shouted, as Clinton embraced her daughter, Chelsea Clinton, who introduced her mother.<\/p>\n
A hush took over the crowd as their candidate began speaking, with all eyes on a television at the front of the room. They cheered loudly and applauded during key moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe grew up not having as many female role models and to have a woman having the biggest office in the country would mean a lot for all women and men,\u201d said Nellie Ruedig, a Clinton supporter who attended the watch party.<\/p>\n
For Hickenlooper, a Clinton presidency represents stability.<\/p>\n
\u201cThirty years ago, almost to the day, I lost my job,\u201d the governor said during his remarks at the convention, reciting a story he tells often in Colorado. \u201cWhether it\u2019s being laid off, downsized or fired, it\u2019s not funny, and it\u2019s not a reality show punchline when it happens to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
After being laid off as a geologist in the late-1980s, Hickenlooper started Denver\u2019s first craft brewery, Wynkoop Brewing, which launched his successful business career.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d he said to a cheering crowd. \u201cI\u2019m the business guy. But unlike Trump\u2019s businesses, my business didn\u2019t go bankrupt six times.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve spent some time with Hillary, and I can tell you \u2013 from a small-business perspective \u2013 she gets it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hickenlooper made the short list for vice presidential candidates to join Clinton\u2019s ticket, though that never came to fruition. He is still mentioned for a possible Cabinet position, though the governor said yesterday that it would be unlikely.<\/p>\n
Duran \u2013 considered a rising star in the party \u2013 highlighted her diverse background as a sixth-generation Coloradan with Latino roots.<\/p>\n
\u201cGrowing up, my family wasn\u2019t rich. In fact, my parents relied on food stamps for a time to get by,\u201d Duran said. \u201cBut in America, we don\u2019t define our value by our net worth. My parents gave me the name Crisanta believing that in an inclusive America, it would not be a wall to my success.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe stand before you because she wants what we want,\u201d Colorado Senate Democratic Leader Lucia Guzman of Denver added during the live feed from Denver that was streamed at the convention. \u201cBecause she wants what we want, we know she will stand for justice, peace and equality.\u201d<\/p>\n