3:29 p.m.

Television reporter Steve Saunders, from the local ABC affiliate, is interviewing Romney.

The presidential candidate’s security detail is clamping down on access to Romney.

3:17p.m.

Brighton resident Amy Polis is waiting outside for a chance to meet Romney.

Polis, who brought her four kids to the rally, said Romney is “perfect in every way.”

“He’s a real Republican,” she said while standing on the bumper of a van holding a sign reading “Mighty Mitt.”

“Everybody else is in disguise,” she said, referring to the other GOP presidential candidates.

3:16p.m.

Mitt Romney is headed back into the dealership after shaking hands with dozens of supporters.

3:07p.m.

Mitt Romney is conducting interviews in the parking lot of Freeway Ford.

A swarm of supporters, some of whom are standing on the bumpers of new cars, are trying to get a closer look at the presidential candidate.

Some are chanting “Mitt Romney!”

2:55 p.m.

The crowd is thinning out, but several dozen supporters are still hanging out.

Bob Beauprez, who is being interviewed by reporters, said Romney brought “incredible energy” to Colorado.

“Don’t forget, we’re a bunch of Republicans. We’re not supposed to be that way,” he joked.

2:46 p.m.

Colorado Springs resident Susan Fish is among the dozens of Romney supporters waiting outside Freeway Ford for a chance to meet the presidential candidate.

Fish is holding a sign that reads “Mitt’s Focused on Families.”

“I’m hoping I can see him because I’m a huge fan,” she said.

“Huge fan!” she yelled to the crowd.

“I just love everything he stands for,” she said, in a quieter voice.

The dealership’s showroom floor, which is much hotter than earlier, is still packed with people who are apparently waiting for Romney to come out again.

2:44 p.m.

Dozens of people are waiting outside for a chance to meet Romney.

2:39 p.m.

Romney supporters are crowding around the presidential candidate for an opportunity to shake his hand.

People are yelling, “Mitt!”

2:31 p.m.

Romney has finished speaking.

He’s shaking hands with people in the crowd.

2:26 p.m.

“I want better care for our veterans when they come home,” he said.

Now he’s talking about the economy.

2:25 p.m.

Romney says the strength of America comes from the American people.

You do that first by strengthening families, he said.

2:22 p.m.

Romney’s mention of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama triggers a few “boos” from audience members.

2:22 p.m.

“Fundamentally, Washington is broken. We’re going to go there and we’re going to fix it,” Romney said, generating huge applause and cheers.

2:21 p.m.

Romney is touting his experience as a father, person of faith and businessman.

“You see, I’ve had a real job,” he said.

2:19 p.m.

“This was a family decision,” Romney said about his decision to run for president.

2:19 p.m.

“Unless we change course, we could find our military slipping behind,” he said.

2:17 p.m.

Romney is sharing stories about his grandson.

2:15 p.m.

“I just want to tell you, this is one of the great moments of my campaign,” Romney said.

2:12 p.m.

Romney thanks Freeway Ford.

“I got to tell you, these are good cars,” he said, generating laughter from the audience at Freeway Ford.

2:12 p.m.

Mitt Romney has begun his speech. The crowd chants "We want Mitt! We want Mitt!" Responded Romney: "You got him."

2:09 p.m.

Romney has just walked on the stage.

Bob Beauprez is introducing him. "You didn't come to hear me," Beauprez said, before handing the microphone to Sen. Wayne Allard.

2:07 p.m.

The crowd is revving up to the sounds of Elvis, followed by a few words from Bob Beauprez.

1:59 p.m.

Romney is in the building.

1:53 p.m.

The showroom floor is getting hot, and people are being asked to squeeze in a little more to make room for more people.

1:52 p.m.

Event organizers say between 600 and 700 people are here.

“There’s people all outside,” Don Dimig, 43, said after getting on the stage to do a rough count of the crowd.

Dimig, who lives in Lafayette, is in charge of Romney’s Boulder County campaign.

1:47 p.m.

The guest of honor is en route to Freeway Ford after deplaning at Centennial Airport at 1:33.

1:46 p.m.

An event organizer got a few “boos” from the audience after asking the enthusiastic crowd to lower their campaign signs, which are blocking the view of the television cameras.

1:42 p.m.

Ian Dangerfield can’t vote, but said he’s a Romney supporter.

“He did so well in Massachusetts as governor,” said Ian, 12.

Dangerfield and his parents and three siblings traveled from Weld County for today’s event. His father is Bradley Dangerfield, who’s chairing the Mitt Romney campaign in Weld County.

1:41 p.m.

Bob Beauprez just arrived.

1:32 p.m.

The showroom floor is officially full.

A small group of people has started to form outside.

The people who made it inside are being asked to squeeze in and make room for more.

1:18 p.m.

Apparently babies like Mitt Romney, too.

Among the dozens of people who showed up to support Romney is 7-month old Halle Harker, who’s wearing red headband and a Mitt Romney t-shirt.

“We’ve been Mitt Romney supporters forever,” said Halle’s mother, Highlands Ranch resident Jayne Harker.

Jayne Harker, 28, called Romney “a true Republican.”

“He’s not a liberal masquerading as a Republican like (John) McCain,” she said.

The crowd, which appears to be at capacity, is starting to chant: “Change D.C.! Elect Romney!”

1:06 p.m.

With Romney expected to arrive in an hour, Shirley Seitz of Lakewood is busy handing out campaign stickers.

When asked if Romney was her choice, she exclaimed: “You bet your bippie.”

Seitz said she supports Romney because he won’t raise taxes and is business savvy.

“I think that’s essential for our government right now –- right now!” she said.

Even though she and Romney don’t share the same faith –- Seitz attends an evangelical Christian church and Romney is Mormon –- Seitz said Romney “lives my values.”

12:56 p.m.

The small showroom floor of Freeway Ford is getting packed.

About 50 to 60 people, possibly more, are anxiously awaiting Romney’s appearance.

Car dealer John Baldwin, who’s helping with the set-up, said he’s a registered Republican and that he wants to hear what Romney says.

He’s also hoping to make a deal.

The white 2008 Mustang Shelby GT 500 on the showroom floor is available for about $70,000, he said.

“If anybody wants to come buy it, come ask for Big John,” said Baldwin, 25, a Texas native who’s lived in Colorado for about a year.

12:43 p.m.

The ladies must like Romney.

Several women, many of them holding campaign signs, some of them homemade, have arrived early for a chance to see the Republican presidential hopeful.

“He’s honest, and he’s a family man,” said 85-year-old Ad Kimball of Centennial. “He’s the only one who’s had one wife –- forever.”

Kimball said her son-in-law, Reed Wilcox, is good friends with Romney.

Another Centennial resident, 60-year-old Jeanne Hill, said she appreciates Romney’s “core values.”

“He’ll be very strong,” she said.

12:29 p.m.

Lakewood resident Nelda Terry is among the first people to arrive at Freeway Ford for a town hall-style event for Mitt Romney.

Terry, who arrived just after noon, secured a spot on a makeshift stage on the dealership floor.

She said she decided to come early to make sure she found a parking spot and “not be crushed by the crowd.”

“I think Romney is the man for the job,” she said. “I want to support him in any way.”

12:11 p.m.

The staff at Freeway Ford on East Evans Avenue and I-25 is busy setting up for the scheduled 2 p.m. arrival of GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney.

“It’s going to give us great publicity,” said auto dealer Nick Chavez. “Hopefully we’ll sell some cars.”

Outside, 17-year-old Mark Palmer is directing a light stream of traffic to parking.

“I support (Romney’s) economic plan for this country,” said Palmer, who plans to register to vote on his 18th birthday Feb. 24.

Palmer said he’s a senior at Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora.

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