<\/p>\n
DENVER \u2013 Colorado stuck with Bernie Sanders at the Democratic convention in Philadelphia on Tuesday in a bittersweet moment, as Sanders acknowledged loss and signaled unity.<\/p>\n
The 78-member Colorado delegation cast 41 votes for Sanders, to Hillary Clinton\u2019s 36. One member of the delegation, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, abstained, as he arrives Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are tears of mixed joy and sadness,\u201d said Root Routledge, a national delegate for Sanders from Durango.<\/p>\n
The 3rd Congressional District delegates held true to their pledges along with the rest of the Colorado delegation, offering 4 votes to Sanders and 2 to Clinton.<\/p>\n
Clinton became the party\u2019s nominee shortly after. In a historic moment, the former secretary of state became the first woman to earn a major party\u2019s presidential nomination.<\/p>\n
Adding to the frenzied moment, an emotional Sanders took to the floor of the convention, joining his Vermont delegation, where he made a symbolic gesture of unity. Closing the nearly two-hour roll call vote, Sanders moved to give Clinton the nomination by acclamation.<\/p>\n
In doing so, Sanders signaled his support for Clinton to be nominated without opposition. It was a carefully choreographed show of harmony.<\/p>\n
\u201cI move that the convention suspend the procedural rules. I move that all votes cast by delegates be reflected in the official record. And I move that Hillary Clinton be selected as the nominee,\u201d Sanders said to a room that exploded with cheers and applause, as some observers cried from their seats.<\/p>\n
His motion came on the second day of the convention, after some of his backers protested Monday, shouting over Clinton supporters.<\/p>\n
The display of unity by Sanders came in addition to his endorsement of Clinton. He also offered endearing remarks about his former opponent on Monday at the convention.<\/p>\n
Democrats stand in contrast to Republicans, who never came together at their convention last week in Cleveland. The Colorado Republican delegation attempted a coup against Republican nominee Donald Trump, and second-place finisher Ted Cruz refused to endorse Trump during remarks at the convention.<\/p>\n
Sal Pace, a national delegate for Clinton from Pueblo, said it is no surprise that Sanders won the Colorado vote since he won the March 1 caucus.<\/p>\n
\u201cBernie has been great for the party, bringing new people and enthusiasm,\u201d Pace said. \u201cBernie knows that a Trump presidency would be terrible for the U.S. and the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Routledge believes the party is now in a position to move forward together, especially given the leadership of his \u201cgeneral,\u201d Sen. Sanders.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was healing for lots of us when Bernie spoke gracefully in the Democratic tradition of allowing the winner to win by acclamation,\u201d Routledge said. \u201cThere\u2019s a sense of acceptance by many of the Bernie delegates now that the final votes have been formally cast, but not acquiescence.\u201d<\/p>\n