Denver will welcome representatives from the Democratic National Committee on Tuesday for a three-day show-and-tell highlighting the city as Mayor Mike Johnston tries to woo the party’s leaders into hosting their 2028 convention in the West.

If he’s successful, it will mean 50,000 people will pour into Denver for four days in August of that year.

“It’s kind of like four Super Bowls in a row,” Johnston said in an interview with Denver Post journalists in advance of the delegation’s site visit.

Throughout the visit, much of which could happen during a spring snowstorm, Denver city leaders will attempt to demonstrate the city’s logistical, financial and merriment potential.

Denver is the only one of five finalist cities that is located west of the Mississippi River. The other options are Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago. DNC leaders, including chair Ken Martin, have already visited Atlanta and Philadelphia.

The competition between the rival cities has already begun.

Atlanta’s mayor recently called out most of the other bidding cities, saying, “Boston is history. Philadelphia is played out. Denver is nostalgia. Atlanta is now,” according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Johnston responded to that, saying: “Of all the disses, I thought ours was actually the best.” It refers to the city’s much-lauded hosting of the 2008 Democratic National Convention, where then-Sen. Barack Obama accepted his party’s nomination on his way to becoming the nation’s first Black president.

Denver’s plan is to focus on what the city has to offer instead of attacking the others, Johnston added. He did take a few jabs throughout the conversation, though.

“(Denver) is cool in the summertime and it’s not 110 degrees in August, like it is in some other places that I won’t name,” he said.

Talking about some of the criteria the DNC will consider in the decision, he said: “It’s very much like, you either have a 20,000-person arena or you don’t. Atlanta does not.”

The visit plan

During the site visit, Johnston and other city leaders will try to infuse “little moments of joy” while also showing off the city’s infrastructure. That will include visits to some of the city’s best restaurants and bars, along with a tour of Rockmount Ranch Wear in Lower Downtown.

If Denver wins the bid, the city plans to host excursions for the delegates in two years. While they’re in the city, visitors are likely to have downtime to explore the region. For their entertainment, Denver will offer things like craft beer tours, history courses on neighborhoods like Five Points and a trip to the city’s mountain parks, Johnston said.

Different bars would be dedicated to delegates from each state — including miniature versions of Denver’s big blue bear in front of each, with a painted flag from their state.

This week’s site visit won’t all be about bid leaders’ ideas for fun, though.

Johnston’s team will also have to show that hosting the convention in Denver will make things easier on the event planners.

There was an extra buzz around Oracle Park on Monday night, as the long-anticipated 2026 arrival of Bryce Eldridge was finally happening. Giants fans gathered to see if the 21-year-old, power-hitting prospect could live up to the massive expectations that have been placed on him. Instead, some veterans took center stage, as San Francisco snapped a six-game losing streak with a 3-2 home win over San Diego.

Trevor McDonald was outstanding for the Giants, who improved to 14-21. The righthander, who was pressed to duty on Monday night, pitched a gem, hurling seven innings, allowing one earned run, while striking out eight San Diego hitters. With that performance, the call-up gained his first MLB win of the year, and just the second victory of his young career.

While the 25-year-old was dealing on the mound, a veteran hitter was delivering at the dish. Much-maligned first baseman Rafael Devers – he, with the big contract and the minuscule numbers – seemingly awoke from his slumber. The slugger went 1 for 2 with a walk and two RBI.

Casey Schmitt originally kicked off the Giants’ scoring with a first-inning solo shot, his fifth homer in 2026. Prior to Schmitt’s blast, the Giants had gone homerless in their last 223 plate appearances.

Eldridge a non-factor in first start

Bryce Eldridge started at designated hitter and batted seventh in his initial MLB game of 2026. However, fans will have to wait on the fireworks; the lefthanded hitter went 0 for 2 with a walk in Monday’s match-up.

On deck tomorrow: The Giants will send righthander Logan Webb (2-3, 4.30 ERA) to the hill, while the Padres will counter with RHP Walker Buehler (1-2, 5.40 ERA) on Tuesday. First pitch at Oracle Park is scheduled for 6:45 PM Pacific Time.

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