Senator Barack Obama (D), Illinois, visited Colorado Springs Wednesday, speaking at two functions in the city, before carrying on the campaign trail as the presumptive democratic presidential candidate.
Some said his appearance itself, is a statement in this campaign.

Senator Barack Obama began his public speaking day before a crowd at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. His message focused on ways to serve friends at home as well as abroad.

"I tell you this as someone who could not be standing here today without the service of others,” Obama said. Some voters among the shoulder to shoulder invitation only crowd came from as far as pueblo to listen with sights already set on November.

"This is the time of year people start making up their minds who they're going to vote for," said Chris Weisman.

Appearing in Colorado for the third time this year, the first in El Paso County, the senator's local mission in November will be to get through to a historically republican voting public.

"You wouldn't expect a democratic candidate to show up here," said UCCS political science professor Josh Dunn. Dunn said the visit helps shore up local support, and underscores the importance of states like Colorado, that in recent elections have shifted blue.

"It's going to be a very competitive state. By showing up here he says he's going to fight for [John] McCain's territory," Dunn said.

Senator Obama concluded his visit to Colorado Springs at a fundraising dinner at the Broadmoor Hotel. About 200 people attended according to details released from within the private event. The senator’s speech focused on familiar points of his campaign so far. When asked why he bothered coming to Colorado, Obama replied ”If I didn’t show up, I wouldn’t get many votes around here. If I did show up, I might get something going.”

Spokesperson Nathan Fisk, with the El Paso County Republican Party said the senator's choice to hold only private engagements shows Obama is out of touch with local voters.

A recent survey shows the senator is currently a favorite among Colorado voters polled.