Colorado Politics, News and Inside Information: Steamboat Hick

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Steamboat Hick

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper was in Steamboat Springs last weekend for a little R&R, though he curiously took time for a "meet-and-greet" with local residents. From The Steamboat Pilot on July 1 (yeah, we're a little behind on this one):

Denver Mayor John Hicken-looper (sic) will be spending the holiday weekend in Steamboat Springs. Although the visit will be a chance for him and his family to relax, it also is an opportunity for him to talk about health care issues. "The real truth is, we love Steamboat. It is a beautiful place to spend the weekend. If we can do good and have some stimulating conversation, so much the better," Hickenlooper said.

Hickenlooper is scheduled to hold a meet-and-greet with the public from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Hall.

We're not going to get carried away and say that this indicates Hick may be taking a closer look at running for governor, but you have to make some effort to set up a meet-and-greet in advance and then get local press for doing it. It's always a good idea for any politician to get out to other areas to improve name ID, and Hickenlooper has always been active in that regard. But to take time out of a holiday weekend for a meet-and-greet is interesting indeed.

Posted by Colorado Pols on July 07, 2005 at 02:35 PM | Permalink

Comments

hick could very well be testing the waters with the rural populations. no offense but this city boy sticks out like a sore thumb outside any major colorado city and he'll need some practice talking to the rural and mountain folk if he does decide to throw his hat in the ring for gov.

nice catch colorado pols.

if hick was just in steamboat to "relax" then i'm sure he wouldn't be putting himself out there like this. not to mention the fact that helen wouldn't have gone for this type of holiday weekend disruption if it wasn't pre-planned and cleared by her first.

Posted by: poli.hack | July 07, 2005 at 02:54 PM

you my note my posts yesterday and today in the update thread that indicated that not only did he do the meet and greet (it was actually termed a town hall meeting) but he drove in the parade.

Posted by: hickforgov | July 07, 2005 at 03:34 PM

YAWN

Posted by: candyraver | July 07, 2005 at 04:47 PM

Poli.Hack - Appropriate name as you've clearly you've never been around Hick outside of Denver. They love him on the Western Slope. In fact I think I remember reading in the Grand Junction paper or somewhere that he was the first Denver mayor to ever address Club 20 - and I heard they even gave him a standing ovation. The man was a petroleum geologist for God's sake...he knows his way around mountains.

Posted by: Reality Check | July 07, 2005 at 10:25 PM

Speaking (or writing) as a friend of Hickenlooper's who saw him in Steamboat over the weekend, I can assure you that he did not set up the meet&greet, arrange to be in the parade, or contact the local press. As the article in the Steamboat paper explained, he and his family were invited out there because a long-time friend would be there. The folks that invited him made all kinds of arrangements...and I don't even think he knew about half the stuff they had planned. Steamboat is such a small town that the local press got excited and contacted Hick before he even got there. Sorry to disappoint anyone, but sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. And Mr. Polihack, the folks in Steamboat seemed to like him just fine.

Posted by: Steamboater | July 07, 2005 at 10:40 PM

"Reality Check" & "Steamboater":

glad to hear that hick is just as personable a guy outside of denver's city limits as he is inside. that wasn't the point of my post...

he obviously had some sort of motivation to do a meet & greet and participate in a parade aside from just wanting to show steamboaters that he "cares" about the western slope. honestly, it is not in his jurisdiction as mayor of denver. i don't see any western slope mayors coming to the metro area doing the same type of thing.

as the saying goes, "if it looks like a candidate and quacks like a candidate then it probably is a candidate (or is at least testing the waters).

Posted by: poli.hack | July 08, 2005 at 09:31 AM

I will give you all that Hick is force to deal with but he is not thinking Gov. He is thinking US Senate in 2008.

After all look at his "acting" COS. The Brownstein crew could get Strickland in so now they are looking for a new cash cow.

After all Hick has to keep his word to Singleton and buy the RMN building for the jail.

Posted by: Hello | July 08, 2005 at 09:37 AM

speaking of hickenlooper,

why hasn't he agreed to a q & a session on colorado pols yet? he's one of the few high-profile office holders in the state who has yet to participate.

alva (or cole, or lindy) what's the hold up here?

Posted by: poli.hack | July 08, 2005 at 12:56 PM

YAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Posted by: candyraver | July 10, 2005 at 01:33 AM