MONTROSE - The political party with Front Range roots will be looking for fertile ground in Montrose this weekend.
The state Libertarian Party, whose national organization was founded in Colorado Springs in 1971, will host its state convention in Montrose this weekend, with the heart of the gathering taking place all day Saturday at Friendship Hall.
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State Party Chairman Norm Olsen said the convention will be a great chance for many of its members to become more acquainted with their Western Slope counterparts.
"Right now we know each other's e-mail addresses," he said. "We'd like to get to know each other on a personal basis."
Olsen said that the decision to hold the convention in Montrose also serves a strategic interest: It will give the party a chance to reach part of its base.
"Our experience shows that people in more rural areas are more likely to be Libertarians," he said.
Moreover, Olsen added that the two major parties are not as well funded in the western part of the state, which gives the Libertarians a better chance to gain some footing in the area.
Lastly, the state party felt that by holding the convention outside the Denver metropolitan area, it would be easier to get media attention.
"In the more densely populated areas we tend to be ignored," he said.
The convention will also be a chance for the party to expose newcomers to a philosophy that places strong emphasis on individual liberty, individual property rights, the free market, and minimal government intrusion.
When summing up libertarian philosophy, Jacobs likes to quote from Michael Cloud, a speechwriter for Libertarians at the national level.
"Freedom is the prize and responsibility is the price."
"Generally, Libertarians see what's been going on in our community and we see government intruding at every turn when it has no right to do so," Jacobs said, ticking off examples of how government involvement has ruined the schools and violated the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution with gun control laws.
The public can gain some exposure to the party's ideals Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. when five speakers will take the podium to address the gathering, headlined by 2004 presidential candidate Michael Badnarik.
Among those scheduled to speak are author Kenneth Royce, who's known as Boston T. Party, tax code expert Peter Hendrickson, and media critic Justin Plumlee, who will have an open-mic session about the mass media's failure to provide complete information.
The vendor hall, featuring books on libertarian ideas and other items, will remain open from 8:30 to 5 p.m.
From 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. the party conducts its business meeting, which is open to the public, although only party members can vote.
During the business session, the members will elect five of the nine state party officers, and consider some changes to the party bylaws.
The party's national immigration policy, which currently calls for the elimination of the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Border Patrol, and full amnesty for illegal immigrants, will likely come up for debate according to Olsen.
"This is not going to be some stuffy protocol-driven affair. It's going to be a good chance for people to come by and see what we're all about," Jacobs said.
Come evening, the convention goers will let their hair down, with the Liberty Jam, a concert featuring five bands.
Montrose's Toxic Zebra will be joined by the Burrito Bandits, Severed Souls, Immoral Majority, and the New Waveforms for the free, all-ages show that starts at 6 p.m.
WSLP chair Lane Mills said the concert is a way to attract a growing segment of the party's base.
"One of the successes we're having is that we do find that we're attracting young people," he said. "It's exactly the kind of entertainment we want to provide for local kids."
Contact Matt Hildner via e-mail
at matth@montrosepress.com
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