Colorado Springs police are making plans to serve and protect more than 10,000 Democratic candidates, delegates, supporters and protestors coming to the World Arena for the Democratic state assembly this weekend.

Police Commander Thor Eels tells 11 News parking will be at a premium and drivers should expect heavy traffic from 7 - 9 a.m. Saturday and again Saturday starting at about 3 p.m.

Eels says delegates coming to the assembly should come early and be ready to show their credentials as they come in to the World Arena parking area. Eels encourages delegates to carpool to the convention because parking will at a premium and cars parked illegally or blocking access on nearby neighborhood streets will ticketed and may be towed.

Credentials are being issued by the State Democratic Party and anyone who tries to get into the World Arena without the proper credentials will be sent back to a "re-credential" area located at the Hampden Inn just north of the World Arena.

Police Commander Eels also warns that stopping, standing or parking will not be allowed on either on I-25 east of the World Arena or on Venetucci Boulevard on the west side.

"Boosters and protestors will be given areas to exercise their right of free speech," says Eels. Officers on hand will direct them to those designated areas designated as "free speech zones" in the parking area on the North side of the World Arena.

This is the first time in decades that Colorado Democrats have held their state assembly in Colorado Springs and the event is drawing nationwide attention because Colorado is hosting the national Democratic Convention in August.