Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat-area Democrats can listen to a nationwide conference call from Democratic National Party Chairman Howard Dean on Tuesday, as part of an organizing kick-off for Dean's "50 State Strategy" to build momentum for the 2006 elections.

The Routt County Dem-ocratic Party will meet at the home of Lynn and Chuck Abbott, changing the date of its monthly meeting to accommodate the phone call.

"We'll be able to listen (to Dean), but not respond," Lynn Abbott said. She is secretary of the local party. "The technology of it is actually baffling to me, with counties across the nation all online at once."

Lynn Abbott and local party chairman Ken Brenner, president of the Steamboat Springs City Council, said that now is an exciting time for Democrats.

"We want to build on the success of the past two elections," Brenner said, citing Democratic victories in Colorado's 2004 elections for seats in the Senate and House of Representatives, and this year's passage of Referendum C. "We want to keep the ball rolling."

Colorado and Routt County have several important elections coming up in 2006.

Voters across the state will elect a new governor to succeed term-limited Republican governor Bill Owens. The Third Congressional District, which includes Steamboat, will elect a representative for the seat currently held by Manassas Democrat John Salazar.

Routt County voters will elect a county commissioner in the Third District, along with a sheriff, county clerk, county treasurer, county assessor and county coroner.

"It's a big year," Lynn Abbott said.

Brenner said the contested School Board and City Council races that just ended in Steamboat indicate a great deal of local political energy.

"We're seeing more interest in participating in local government," he said. "We're anxious to talk to any Democrats out there that have, up until now, kept their intentions of running to themselves."

In addition to the 15-minute phone call from Dean, Tuesday's meeting will include planning a fundraiser, mapping out a plan for 2006 and possibly discussing a holiday party, Lynn Abbott said.

She asked that attendees bring a potluck appetizer to share.

"That way, we won't starve," she said.

-- To reach Mike Lawrence, call 871-4203 or e-mail mlawrence@steamboatpilot.com