Republican Presidential Debate Will Put Boulder, CU In The Spotlight
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - The fact that the third Republican presidential debate is taking place in Colorado, a swing state, isn't surprising. The fact that it's taking place in the city of Boulder is.
Boulder is home to twice as many Democrats as Republicans.
The irony isn't lost on the Republican National Committee. Sean Spicer, chief strategist for the RNC, says while they chose Colorado for the potentially key role it will play in the 2016 presidential election, CNBC, which is airing the debate, chose the University of Colorado as the location.
"It really does have to do with who has the ability to put on and do it in a way that will do it right. And Boulder is up to the task," Spicer told CBS4.
The debate is unlike any event CU has ever hosted. University spokesman Ryan Huff said the university is providing the Coors Events Center as the space and the university's police force is handling the security. All of that will be provided for free.
"But in return the branding opportunity we get for this really across world is really unprecedented," Huff said. "I've received calls from press all over world. From Australia, Tokyo, Europe. All the major networks will be here."
Thousands of protesters are expected as well.
"We are monitoring the groups that have announced (their plans)," said CU police spokesman Scott Pribble.
The area directly across the street from the arena will be what the university is referring to as the free speech zone.
"It gives people who show up here to have their voice heard the opportunity to do that but not infringe on the security of the event that's going on here as well," he said.
The area around Coors Events Center will be secured. Most attendees will be brought in by buses and there will be strict rules.
"No amplified sound. No destruction of property. You can't put up temporary or permanent structure," he said.
There have already been protests over the amount of tickets that have been provided to the university for the event. Some students have demanded that the RNC provide more than the 150 tickets they have given to CU.
The group Boulder County Republicans got one ticket. That went to Ellyn Hilliard, the chairwoman.
"I don't think it's going to change the minds of some of the liberal and progressive professors on campus," Hilliard said.
A projected 20 million people will be tuning in to watch the debate.
The debate, titled CNBC's Your Money, Your Vote: The Presidential Debate on the Economy takes place at 6 p.m. at the Coors Events Center. More information is available at cnbc.com/gop-debate-2016/.