Colorado Dems want millions for convention security

Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) is asking appropriators for $50 million to cover security costs at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver.

That amount is twice as much as New York and Boston initially requested from the federal government for the conventions they hosted in 2004. However, both cities later received more money from Congress to cover the costs. DeGette spokesman Brandon MacGillis said she is asking for more from the start to ensure that the host cities have everything they need.

“The hope is they won’t use all this money,” MacGillis said.

New York wound up spending about $50 million on security, and Boston spent $35 million, according to figures provided by DeGette’s office.

DeGette was joined in the request by Colorado Democratic Reps. Ed Perlmutter, John Salazar and Mark Udall.