Donald Trump's grudge against Colorado from the primary election remains visible in his first trip to the state this year.
Sarah Palin eviscerates Republicans seeking to unseat Trump, even as Colorado delegates lead the charge.
Two are led off in handcuffs as more than 200 protesters gather outside the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.
Donald Trump is not ready to bury the hatchet with Colorado.
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee made his debut in the state at the Western Conservative Summit only to again lament Colorado’s caucus as a “rigged system” that cost him national delegates.
“Colorado is what taught me a lot about politics. I learned a lot,” Trump told more than 2,000 people at the convention center in downtown Denver on Friday. “Because polls came out that I was going to win Colorado … and I was looking forward to it. And then all of a sudden I didn’t get the delegates. And I said, ‘What happened to the vote?’ ”
The remarks at the start of his rambling 52-minute speech put the focus on the bad blood in Colorado’s Republican Party toward Trump’s candidacy just as the party wanted to move forward with a unified vision ahead of the convention at the end of the month.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin didn’t help in her speech moments earlier, in which she eviscerated the “never Trump” crowd plotting to upset the billionaire businessman in Cleveland — an effort led by a handful of Colorado delegates pledged to rival Ted Cruz.
“I just call them Republicans against Trump, or RAT for short,” she said to big applause. “At such a time as this,” she continued, “you cannot be lukewarm. We are taking our country back and you are either with us or against us.”
At one point, Trump appeared to absolve the bitterness after Cruz won the state’s 34 delegates — “It’s all right. It all worked out well. … In the end it doesn’t matter. Here we are, right?” — only to repeatedly rehash the primary campaign throughout his off-the-cuff remarks more than a month after capturing the nomination.
Still, Trump predicted a “tremendous victory” in Colorado this November against Democrat Hillary Clinton, saying the state is “very important state in terms of winning the election.”
“We do have to win Colorado,” he said. “We do have to win Colorado. I will be back a lot, don’t worry about it. I will be back a lot.”
Trump attended a fundraiser at the home of former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan later in the day. The Republican National Committee and Trump’s campaign also named prominent Colorado businessman and political donor Larry Mizel as the state’s fundraising chairman.
The summit — billed as the largest gathering of conservatives outside Washington — is the first look at Trump for the state’s Republican voters after he snubbed the state in the primary season.
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Protesters during Donald Trump's campaign stop in Denver Friday, July 1, 2016. (Michael Reaves, The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate headlines the 2016 Western Conservative Summit at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate headlines the 2016 Western Conservative Summit at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Protesters during Donald Trump's campaign stop in Denver Friday, July 1, 2016. (Michael Reaves, The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate headlines the 2016 Western Conservative Summit at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Pro-Trump supporter Karen Kennedy, left, argues with anti-Trump protester Andrew Carr outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Dede Laugesen takes a photo of Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate, as he walks on stage during the 2016 Western Conservative Summit at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate headlines the 2016 Western Conservative Summit at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Republican Devin Bilski, left, and anti-Trump protester Brenda Carrasco stare down each other face-to-face outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: An Anti-Trump supporter sports a sign during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: Anti-Donald Trump protesters at the intersection of 14th and California, across the street from the Colorado Convention Center where Mr. Trump was speaking July 01, 2016. The Trump supporter and a protester were detained after the incident. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate headlines the 2016 Western Conservative Summit at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
Protesters during Donald Trump's campaign stop in Denver Friday, July 1, 2016. (Michael Reaves, The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
Police patrol during Donald Trump's campaign stop in Denver Friday, July 1, 2016. (Michael Reaves, The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: An anti-Donald Trump protester gets in the face of a Trump supporter at the intersection of 14th and California, across the street from the Colorado Convention Center where Mr. Trump was speaking July 01, 2016. The Trump supporter and a protester were detained after the incident. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: An Anti-Trump protester during the Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate headlines the 2016 Western Conservative Summit at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: An anti-Donald Trump protester, right, and a Trump supporter, left, (orange shirt) get detained after a scuffle at the intersection of 14th and California, across the street from the Colorado Convention Center where Mr. Trump was speaking July 01, 2016. The Trump supporter and a protester were detained after the incident. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Devin Bilski, left, sticks his finger in the face of Anti-Trump protester Brenda Carrasco during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: Denver Police stand by in front of the Colorado Convention Center during a anti-Donald Trump protest at 14th and California. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: An anti-Trump protester and a Trump supporter clash outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: A Donald Trump supporter, bottom center, (orange shirt) and anti-Trump protesters get in a scuffle at 14th and California, in front of the Colorado Convention Center where Mr. Trump was speaking July 01, 2016. The Trump supporter and a protester were detained after the incident. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: Construction workers pause to watch an anti-Donald Trump protest near the intersection of 14th and California, across the street from the Colorado Convention Center where Mr. Trump was speaking July 01, 2016. The Trump supporter and a protester were detained after the incident. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: Denver Officers in tactical gear unload along 14th Ave near California during a anti-Trump protest across the street from the Colorado Convention Center where Mr. Trump was speaking July 01, 2016. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01 Former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks during the 2016 Western Conservative the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: Donald Trump supporters and anti-Trump protesters argue at the intersection of 14th and California, in front of the Colorado Convention Center where Mr. Trump was speaking July 01, 2016. The Trump supporter and a protester were detained after the incident. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01 Former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks during the 2016 Western Conservative Summit the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Cheyenne De Christopher chants during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Greg, who did not provide a last name, points to his hat when asked what Donald Trump's policies are outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Pro-Trump supporter Greg, no last name given, uses a sign to block out a protester's megaphone during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01 Former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks during the 2016 Western Conservative Summit the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Secret service looks over the stage as Donald J. Trump speaks the 2016 Western Conservative Summit the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: An anti-Donald Trump protester gets taken away after a scuffle at an anti-Trump protest at the intersection of 14th and California, across the street from the Colorado Convention Center where Mr. Trump was speaking July 01, 2016. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Secret service looks over the stage as Sarah Palin speaks the 2016 Western Conservative Summit the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Protesters chant during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01 Former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks during the 2016 Western Conservative Summit the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: A man wears his red, white, and blue socks the 2016 Western Conservative Summit the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01 Former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks during the 2016 Western Conservative Summit the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Protesters chant during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Denver Police Officer keep an eye on the crowd during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Pro-Trump supporter Greg, no last name given, uses a sign to block out a protesters megaphone during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Daniel Mason, an anti-Trump protester, dresses as a Teletubbie outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: An Anti-Trump protester is lead away after getting into a physical altercation with a Pro-Trump supporter at an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Crystal Gallimore, of Fort Collins, waits to see Donald J. Trump and Sarah Palin during the 2016 Western Conservative Summit the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
Donald Trump protesters during the Trump campaign stop in Denver Friday, July 1, 2016. (Michael Reaves, The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Progress Now Colorado building "tearing down walls of hate" anti-trump wall Friday, July 1, 2016. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Progress Now Colorado building "tearing down walls of hate" anti-trump wall Friday, July 1, 2016. (Andy Cross, The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
Donald Trump protesters during the Trump campaign stop in Denver Friday, July 1, 2016. (Michael Reaves, The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Kaitlyn Wender stands in front of the Western Conservative Summit sign as she arrive to see Donald J. Trump and Sarah Palin at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate, and former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will headline the 2016 Western Conservative Summit the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Devin Bilski, left, argues with a anti-Trump protester outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Carl and Beth Nagy, from Arvada arrive early to see Donald J. Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate, and former GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin at the 2016 Western Conservative Western the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: Artists Daniel Castillo, right, and Delton Demarest, spray paint on a large canvas mural propped up on a cardboard box wall at Civic Center Park July 01, 2016. ProgressNow Colorado hosted a peaceful event titled, “Tearing Down the Wall of Hate” in conjunction with GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump's visit to the Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 01: Anna Heintzelman waits to see Donald J. Trump during the 2016 Western Conservative Summit the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, July 01, 2016. It is the 7th annual Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Protesters chant during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Greg, no last name given, argues with Anti-Trump supporter Brenda Carrasco during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
Former U.S. Congressman Tom Tancredo speaks during a pro-Donald Trump rally on the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol July 01, 2016.
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Protesters chant during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Earl Wenngren and his wife Bonnie Wenngren show their support during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Pro-Trump and Anti-Trump protesters argue during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Protesters chant during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: Pro-Donald Trump supporters rally on the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol July 01, 2016. The GOP Presidential Candidate was in town for the Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Denver Police Officer keep an eye on the crowd during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: David Imber, left, of Fort Lauderdale, FL argues with Ian Lisman, of Denver, during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: An Anti-Trump protester during the Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Sean Valdez talks to a Pro-Trump supporter during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Pro-Trump and Anti-Trump protesters argue during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Pro-Trump and Anti-Trump protesters argue during an Anti-Trump rally at the corner of 14th and California in Denver, Colorado on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: Pro-Donald Trump supporter Mark Auville shows his support at a rally on the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol July 01, 2016. The GOP Presidential Candidate was in town for the Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: Marine Corp Veteran Jonathan Rash shows his support during a pro-Donald Trump rally on the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol July 01, 2016. The GOP Presidential Candidate was in town for the Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Anti-Trump signs sit on the ground outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: An anti-Trump supporter wears a pin outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Police keep the peace during the anti-Trump protests outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Andy Cross, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - July 01: Pro-Donald Trump supporters rally on the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol July 01, 2016. The GOP Presidential Candidate was in town for the Western Conservative Summit. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Police keep the peace during the anti-Trump protests outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Anti-Trump protestors chant in protest outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: Anti-Trump protesters chant in protest outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: A pinata impersonating Donald Trump hangs from a noose outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: An anti-Trump protester yells a chant outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
DENVER, CO - JULY 1: A man tries to calm tempers during anti-Trump and pro-Trump debates outside the Western Conservative Summit on July 1, 2016. (Photo by Michael Reaves/The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
Donald Trump pins during the Trump campaign stop in Denver Friday, July 1, 2016. (Michael Reaves, The Denver Post)
Michael Reaves, The Denver Post
Donald Trump hats during the Trump campaign stop in Denver Friday, July 1, 2016. (Michael Reaves, The Denver Post)
More than 4,000 are expected at the three-day confab, which is organized by the Centennial Institute think tank housed at Colorado Christian University. But Trump’s speech included hundreds of empty chairs in a two-thirds full ballroom.
The crowd is not a natural one for Trump, given its reputation for attracting conservative firebrands and evangelicals. On a stage with 59 yellow lights designed to mimic candles, the candidate made a direct appeal to them in his speech.
Trump touted his endorsement from the National Rifle Association and suggested Colorado and the NRA are “synonymous.” And he celebrated his ties to top Christian faith leaders.
The audience gave Trump a polite reception with standing ovations at the beginning and end.
Elsewhere in his speech, the candidate hopscotched between topics with his trademark bluster.
On the economy: “We are going to see job loss like you’ve never seen before if I don’t win.”
On terrorism attacks abroad: “What’s going on now is unbelievable. … We are going to have strong borders, folks. We are going to have strong borders. We are going to have a wall.”
On the Supreme Court: “We are going to appoint Supreme Court justices who you are going to be happy (with). These are justices that will uphold the constitution of the United States.”
On former President Bill Clinton’s meeting with Attorney General Loretta Lynch: “I think that he really opened it up. He opened up a Pandora’s box and it shows … what’s happening with our laws with our government.”
On the Islamic state: “The last person they want to see become president of the United States is Donald Trump. They have dreams at night and their dreams are that Hillary Clinton becomes president of our country. Believe me.”
On winning: “We are going to win so much that the people of Colorado are going to be sick of winning. … We are going to win, win, win, and we are going to make America great again.”
And himself: “We have the right message. I’m doing a good job as messenger, I will say.”
“He addressed all the things I hoped he would address,” said Mary Lou Bjorn, president pro tem of the Evergreen Tea Party in Jefferson County. “A lot of people complain and say he doesn’t (have a foreign policy plan), but I think he has a strategy. He just isn’t showing it.”
Jeff Hunt, the executive director of the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian College, which sponsors the summit, said he saw a coming together around Trump from the Colorado crowd.
“I thought he did a great job, a lot of fun,” Hunt said. “He was very well-received by the crowd, and our goal of mending fences and getting everyone back in the room together was accomplished.”
Denver’s Helen Malone said Trump still has work to do to win Colorado, as he vowed to do in his speech.
“I haven’t made up my mind, but I know he’s going to scare off a lot of moderate Republicans, and you can forget about unaffiliated voters,” she said. “He needs to stick a sock in bashing immigrants. That’s poison in a lot of places here.”
Moments before Trump spoke, a fight erupted in the protests that drew about 200 people for competing rallies outside the convention center.
Two men were led away from the scene — centered on the intersection of 14th and California streets — in handcuffs after a violent confrontation between the feuding sides.
Law enforcement officers in tactical and riot gear, some armed with batons and what appeared to be a pepper spray device, stormed in to disperse the crowd. There were no apparent injuries.
A group of Colorado Christian University students were among the protesters. The students carried signs that said, “Trump doesn’t speak for us,” “Lesser of 2 evils is still evil” and “CCU’s values trump Trump’s.”
“On the fundamental Christian level, Donald Trump’s platform doesn’t necessarily represent (our values),” said rising sophomore Tyler Traylor.
Staff writers Joey Bunch, Ellis Arnold, Jesse Paul and Elizabeth Hernandez contributed to this report.//
