Why it matters
The Alamosa stop mattered locally because the same election carries the Alamosa County commissioner District 2 race, an unopposed county assessor run and a Costilla County commissioner race, giving San Luis Valley voters a direct say over county leadership close to home.
Late arrival still fills Society Hall in Alamosa
The Colorado Democratic Party bus tour arrived late in Alamosa on Oct. 18, reaching Society Hall where a crowd of about 100 people waited for statewide and local candidates.
The 30-plus passenger bus rumbled up Fourth Street after state party chairperson Shad Murib, acting as a quasi master of ceremonies, attributed the delay to meetings between Democratic state and federal officials up and down the ballot and the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain nations.
When Ken Salazar, described as a son of the Valley, stepped on stage, the crowd of about 100 was immediately attentive. Salazar was described in the account as an internationally known politician and statesman and a consummate storyteller, and the candidates who entered Society Hall were met with cheers and handshakes like those between old friends.
County candidates make the stop a local one
Local candidates took the stage before the bus arrived, led by Democrat Sherry Perdue, who is challenging Republican incumbent Arlan Van Ry for the Alamosa County commissioner District 2 seat.
Voters also heard from Alamosa County Assessor Jason Duncan, who is running unopposed and welcomed voters to his office with any questions or concerns. Randy Parea, who is running for Costilla County commissioner, also made an appearance.
Alamosa County Sheriff Robert Jackson spoke briefly, in a different register. Jackson has endorsed Phil Weiser for governor but has also said he is 'a sheriff, not a politician,' and he frequently describes his approach as bipartisan.
25-stop route spans Colorado in final weeks
The tour was billed as a six-day, 25-stop trip Oct. 15 to Oct. 20, beginning in Greeley, crossing several regions of Colorado and ending at stops in the metro area after reaching the San Luis Valley.
The tour announcement said U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper would join the tour, along with Attorney General Phil Weiser, the Democratic nominee for governor, Secretary of State Jena Griswold, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, and Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez, the Democratic nominee for secretary of state. Congressional, legislative and local candidates and party leadership were also listed as joining.
The route was set to cross the Eastern Plains, Front Range, High Country, Western Slope and Southwest Colorado and the San Luis Valley, with a Walsenburg stop also scheduled Oct. 18. Organizers said no two stops would look exactly alike, with local Democrats planning community events in each place.
One name was missing in Alamosa. Democrat Dwayne Romero, who is challenging Republican Jeff Hurd in Colorado's Third Congressional District, the U.S. House contest named in the report, was notably absent.
Sources
Dems “Colorado Bus Tour” Delivers Candidates, Energy to the SLV
