DENVER - The Olympics of politics has hit the Mile High City for the first time in a century, and national delegate Brian O'Donnell of Durango literally has a front-row seat.

Colorado delegates share center stage with Illinois for prime seating inside the Pepsi Center for the Democratic National Convention. O'Donnell said Tuesday the experience is "incredible," and so is being able to be the voice for Southwest Colorado in nominating Sen. Barack Obama as the Democrat candidate for U.S. president.

"It's a key moment for our country, and hopefully a change in direction," O'Donnell said during a breakfast interview at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. "I've watched conventions on television since I was a teenager. ... You can feel the energy of elective politics around here."

O'Donnell, 37, said he is eager to pull the lever for Obama. As one of five delegates in the 3rd Congressional District, he supports Obama's positions on energy and climate change, bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq and making health care affordable.

"I think (Obama) recognizes that the West is trending Democratic, and he's taking a common-sense, pragmatic approach to these issues," said O'Donnell, who is writing a daily column for the Herald during the convention.

Delegates from the major political parties are involved in the selection of candidates for president by such assemblies as a national convention. Other roles include advising candidates for office about positions on issues from their individual districts.

On Tuesday morning, O'Donnell was preparing to meet with members of Obama's campaign to offer comments about energy policy in Colorado and the West. He said he was looking forward to gathering information and making suggestions to the Obama energy-policy team.

O'Donnell is the executive director for the National Conservation System Foundation in Durango.

The nomination speech by Obama today at Invesco Field at Mile High is the obvious highlight of the week, O'Donnell said. He said that his wife, Melyssa, will be joining him to share the moment.

"Senator Obama is the most inspirational candidate of my lifetime," said O'Donnell. "Knowing I can help him is something I will always cherish and (eventually) share with my daughter."

O'Donnell's daughter, Kara, is 7 months old.

Monday evening's speech by Michelle Obama and the surprise appearance by Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts will be a lasting memory, O'Donnell said.

"Just seeing Senator Kennedy, who is ailing, make a passionate speech for Barack Obama was amazing," he said. "Michelle Obama talked about our children and generations to come. ... I'm just soaking it all in and glad to be part of history."

Even though he's a staunch backer of Obama, O'Donnell recognizes the importance of Sen. Hillary Clinton's role at the convention.

"She's got a large number of supporters and has earned her position with the party," said O'Donnell. "Her speech (Tuesday) should help bring forth party unity."

Overall, O'Donnell is one of about 70 Colorado delegates, and one of 4,440 national delegates attending the Democrats' party this week.

February's state caucus is where O'Donnell began his trek to Denver. He then served as one of about 60 delegates at La Plata County's convention. He went on to the 3rd Congressional District convention in May in Colorado Springs, and was one of nearly 200 candidates in the running for five slots to the national convention.

He said being a past volunteer for Sen. John Kerry's presidential bid in 2004 was a plus in his efforts. Kerry signed a letter to pass out to attendees at the 3rd District meeting encouraging people to elect O'Donnell as a national delegate.

"We were also able to get some smaller counties (such as Montezuma, Dolores and Gunnison) to band together for me and another small-regional candidate," O'Donnell said.

Other delegates in the 3rd District are from Montrose, Pueblo and Grand Junction, O'Donnell said.

In the end, O'Donnell got a call from Colorado Democratic Party chairwoman Pat Waak four days after the state convention notifying him of his successful election by fellow Democrats.

O'Donnell said that his typical day this week begins at about 6 a.m. After waking up, it's off to pick up credentials before breakfast, then it's off to water and environmental caucuses. He then takes part in radio and television interviews as a first-time delegate. About 4 p.m., he heads to the Pepsi Center for speeches and meetings with Colorado's congressional delegation.

Concerts and parties tend to come after Pepsi Center events, and after that, O'Donnell calls it a day at about midnight. He joked about the lack of sleep.

"To truly represent people you need to be in touch with as many folks as possible," O'Donnell said. "To have your voice heard, you have to participate in the process. I can always get sleep back in Durango."

steveg@cortezjournal.com.