A group from the CU Denver's Political Science Department received an exclusive behind-the scenes look at the inner workings of the political system at this year's Western Conservative Summit. Presented by the Centennial Institute, the Summit played host to some of the GOP's biggest names, like Governor Sarah Palin, Dr. Ben Carson, Governor Bobby Jindal, Senator Ted Cruz, and more. Each of the members of the CU Denver group received backstage and media passes to gain all-inclusive access.

Students took advantage of the one-on-one experience with each of the esteemed speakers by asking questions on policy and legislation. Other highlights of the summit included attending a VIP banquet with Representative Michele Bachmann, book signings with Representative Allen West, and radio interviews with Hugh Hewitt. Held between the Hyatt Regency and the Bellco Theater at the Denver Convention Center, the Summit drew crowds in the thousands and broke all of its previous records of attendance. The students' experiences are chronicled on the department's new blog site CU Denver Political Science Online.