U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos will speak in downtown Denver at the annual conference of the conservative network American Legislative Exchange Council next week. So will Newt Gingrich, the one-time majority leader for Republicans in the U.S. House.
The ALEC conference will be at the Hyatt Regency from July 19 to July 21. The exact speaking schedule wasn't immediately available.
It might be a little awkward: DeVos recently criticized Denver because its voucher system doesn't allow parents to take public money to pay for private schools.
ALEC is a Koch brothers-backed organization that has been instrumental in convincing various state legislatures to pass new "stand your ground" laws and stricter voter ID requirements, as Politico reported.
It describes itself as "America's largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism."
In a news release, the group praised DeVos for being a "stalwart champion of educational choice."
Other speakers include Peter Coors, chairman of Molson Coors; Colorado Treasurer (and possible gubernatorial candidate) Walker Stapleton; Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman; and many, many more. Congressman Ken Buck will be signing his book, too.
Workshop topics include oil-and-gas regulations, prescription drug abuse and cannabis legalization. There will be an ice cream social on July 20. Registration is available online.
