Joe Biden Calls Colorado Democratic Lawmakers On Gun Bills, Stresses Colorado's Importance

Vice Presiden Joe Biden called four Colorado state Democrats Friday in the midst of a gun debate, stressing Colorado's importance in the national gun debate, according to a report by The Denver Post.

"I was totally surprised. He just said he's watching us and asked if we had a chance to move these bills forward and said what an important signal it would send to the country if we do," Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, said about the call from Biden he received just after 5 p.m.

House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, agreed that he was caught by surprise.

"I was shocked that he called," Ferrandino said. "He said he thought the bills could help them on a national level."

But the call appeared to only incense the state's Republican representatives.

"I'm waiting for my call from Vice President Biden," Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen, said jokingly before the Legislature Friday night while the House deliberated a concealed carry ban on college campuses.

"I know the importance of all of these bills passing in Colorado, and I know the importance of what this means for us as a state and us as a nation. There will be changes," Gerou said, adding that she believed there would be risks from passing the bill.

Biden is reportedly vacationing in Snowmass, Colorado on a ski trip over the President's Day weekend, but made it a point to call Democratic Reps. Mark Ferrandino, Tony Exum, Mike McLachlan of Durango, and Dominick Moreno of Commerce City.