Woo-hoo! Howard Dean and the DNC have chosen Denver to host its 2008 national convention.

A Democrat who was briefed said that chairman Howard Dean made the final decision yesterday, weeks later than planned. DNC comm. dir. Karen Finney declined to confirm the choice.

Colorado is a marquee states for Democrats, who have, in the past two years, gobbled up the governor's mansion, control of the state legislature, and two congressional seats.

How excited am I?

More from the Denver Post. The decision will be announced this afternoon.

Colorado Senate President Joan Fitzgerald has released this statement, which I received by e-mail:

The 2008 Democratic National Convention will be a great opportunity for Colorado. We can showcase to the world what Colorado has to offer.

There is a new Democratic West with policies based on pragmatism. We will display the new Democratic region that runs the length of the Rocky Mountains from Montana to New Mexico and stretches to the West. The West has always been a source of optimism for our country. It will help to have national candidates reflect the Rocky Mountain West.

Colorado has not had the opportunity until now to influence primary politics. We can show that Democrats are succeeding in a red state because of our proactive policies.

For the first time in 100 years we will have delegates coming to Colorado. These 35,000 to 40,000 people who come to Denver will realize what Colorado has to offer, in business opportunities as well as tourism.