Republican Party activists are gathering Saturday in Colorado Springs for the state GOP convention. Delegates will be chosen to attend the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Sen. Ted Cruz is already confirmed to attend. Donald Trump will not make the trip to Colorado to address the state assembly, nor hold a rally. John Kasich has also announced he is not coming.
Initially, the state's conservative party was criticized for poll during the March caucus. Now, as the national race seems destined to be heading toward a contested convention, the emphasis on delegates has given Colorado renewed importance.
Interview Highlights With State GOP Chair Steve House
On How Pivotal A Role Colorado's Delegates Could Play Nationally
"We could be the final votes or delegates for any given campaign. You're talking 1,237 delegates and we are 37 of those. Clearly we play a fairly pivotal role in the total process, especially given that this is a potentially contested convention where 10 delegates, 15 delegates, 20 delegate could make the difference."
On Ted Cruz As The Favorite To Win Colorado
"I'm not so sure I agree he's the overall favorite. I think he's done fairly well, in the first two congressional district assemblies. But who knows how it's going to play out from here? You have to factor in where the districts are, what are their demographic makeups, who appeals to who."
On The Delegate Selection Process
"We do have 37 delegates. Thirty-four that we elect and six have already been elected []. They were elected last Saturday. There will be another 15 elected on Thursday and Friday. Then on we will elect the final 13 at large delegates on Saturday."
On Whether The National Convention Will Be Contested Come July
"I think the odds are growing. I think it's better than a 50 percent chance now. This is a presidential election, strange things happen."
Steve House says Donald Trump is not coming to the state assembly on Saturday but may still send a surrogate.
— Megan Schrader (@meganschrader)
Editor's Note: We have confirmed that Donald Trump, who had been expected to visit Colorado ahead of the state's GOP convention, will not be coming to the state. This story has been updated to reflect that new information.
