President Barack Obama was in Denver today to sign a historic $787 billion economic stimulus bill at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. The Rocky's Judi Villa, Jerd Smith and Roger Fillion blogged live.

2:10

Laura Holtman and Heather Hope, public relations gurus at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, were remarkably relaxed as the tables came down and the chairs were stacked Tuesday afternoon.

An estimated 500 people – 250 guests, 180 media, and untold secret service agents and volunteers – had swarmed the museum in the morning. But here, where thousands of visitors come each day, those aren’t big numbers.

Throughout the afternoon, crews will work to break down the stage where the historic signing occurred, while another section of museum will be readied to re-open at 5:30. Then teachers will arrive to visit the museum’s exhibits.

Holtman said the event was a low-stress gig for the museum’s staff because the White House ran the details. “It was their show in our house,” said fellow museum staffer Heather Hope said.

The museum re-opens to the public at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

2 p.m.

Five members of the Gibson family are the last people standing outside the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. They've been here all day.

"We wanted them to see Obama if they could, even to go by in a limousine," said Anthony Gibson.

"And we did," said Gibson's 10-year-old daughter, Faith.

Gibson came to the museum with his wife, Rhanda, and their children, Faith, Marquise, 8, and Kiara, 7.

All three children had Obama flags, pins and t-shirts.

The family was a little irritated by the protesters who showed up to express their dislike of Obama's stimulus. So the children made up their own signs to counter them.

"Bush. Society destroyer," read a sign held by Marquise.

"Obama. Society restorer," read Faith's sign.

Faith and Marquise both said they'd never been to anything more exciting.

"We got to see our President!" Faith said.

"We got to see his limos and stuff," Marquise said.

1:50 p.m.

Pam Kiely, program manager for Environment Colorado, is gnashing her teeth. “My camera died just as he was signing the bill,” she cried, just moments after Obama exits the stage.

Still, she’s pleased with the president’s speech and the tax breaks and loan guarantees it promises for clean, renewable energy technologies.

“On the energy and the environment side it’s a home run,” she said. “It’s kind of like Christmas . . . it’s the coolest thing I’ve ever been to.”

1:35 p.m.

Obama finished his 14-minute speech at about 1:20 and members of the audience literally jumped up from their seats applauding.

Rochelle Asmussen and her daughters, 8-year-old Grace and 12-year-old Sierra stood watching as Obama signed the bill.

“I thought it was very amazing,” said Sierra. “It’s history.”

Her mother and father are local Realtors and received passes to the event because their father was a volunteer.

Rochelle Asmussen said the housing market has forced them to re-think their business strategy. “It’s a very different market now,” she said. “But I’m very excited today. I feel hopeful.”

1:30 p.m.

Allyson Kulinski is standing outside the Denver Museum of Nature and Science with a couple other protesters.

"Stimulus package=Obama Spendarama," one sign says.

"President Obama Stop Mortgaging our future away," another says.

Kulinski, of Thornton, is holding a huge replica of a check, signed by herself and made out to the United States Government for $30,000. In the memo line, the check says it's for "Obama's stimulus."

"This is the average American family's debt, what they're going to owe," Kulinski said. "I just have a hard time with that."

Kulinski, a high school English teacher, who joined a protest rally at the Capitol before heading to the museum, said it's not that she's against stimulus. In fact, she hopes President Obama does well. If the president does well, the country also does well, she said.

But, she said, "I know economics. I'm a teacher. I don't see it falling out the way everybody hopes."

1:24 p.m.

“We expect you the American people to hold us accountable to the results,” Obama says, referring to the stimulus package. He points out that Americans can go to the Internet to track how the money is being spent.

Looking ahead, Obama also acknowledges the need for fiscal discipline in the wake of the $787 billion plan.

“None of this will be easy. The road to recovery will not be straight,” says Obama. “It will demand courage and discipline . . . There will be hazards and reversals.”

“Thank you Colorado. Let’s get to work,” says Obama. He now goes to sit at the desk, picking up the first of 10 pens he will use to sign the bill.

“There you go. It’s done,” declares Obama, finishing the task.

Loud applause and music fill the air.

1:19 p.m.

Obama is receiving numerous ovations from the audience.

The president says the legislation allows the United States to take “big steps towards energy independence.”

Obama says that money from the package “will make for a newer, smarter” energy grid. He refers to the “smart” energy grid in Boulder that allows consumers there to better track their energy usage.

Obama also notes the package includes aid to state and local governments to prevent layoffs of police and local firefighters. “About a third of this package comes in the form of tax cuts,” he adds, noting that many of the cuts will go to working Americans.

“What I’m signing is a balanced plan with a mix of tax cuts and investments,” says the president.

1:15 p.m.

About three dozen people remain outside the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Among them is Annie Coleman, who brought her 2-year-old grandson, Jahleed, to witness history.

"President Obama brought me here today. Especially in Colorado, and I live here. How could I miss it," said Coleman, who traveled to Washington D.C. with her sisters for Obama's inauguration.

"It's just being in the atmosphere. The atmosphere is wonderful."

Coleman held her grandson, bundled up in a heavy winter jacket.

"He knows Obama," Coleman said. "He knows him well. He associates him with the American flag. He doesn't even need to see his face. As long as he sees the American flag, he knows."

Coleman isn't sure she'll actually catch a glimpse of President Obama today. She has no idea where he's coming or going from. But she does know she supports the stimulus package the President signed today in Denver.

"It's a start. It's a good start," she said. "It's to help everyone, not just the big wigs. It's to help the people that really make things move in the country."

1:14 p.m.

“It is great to be back in Denver,” Obama declares, referring to last summer’s Democratic National Convention where he became the Democratic presidential nominee.

“I don’t want to pretend that today marks the end of our economic problems,” says Obama. “But today does mark the beginning of the end” of the recession.

He calls the stimulus legislation “the most sweeping economic package in our history.”

Obama says the legislation will put Americans to work in jobs that “need to be done.”

He says that Americans will go to work to repair crumbling bridges and roads and perform other jobs that will invest in the nation’s future, including work involving the country’s health care and educational systems.

1:06 p.m.

President Obama has taken to the podium at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” the president tells the crowd repeatedly.

Obama is wearing a dark suit and a red tie, with a flag pin attached to his left lapel.

Obama thanks the various Colorado politicians in the audience.

“Mark Udall is not here but give him a round of applause anyway,” adds Obama, referring to the new Colorado senator.

1:02 p.m.

Jones jokes with Biden over the vice president’s mispronunciation of Namaste Solar’s name. “Thank you Vice President Biden,” says Jones, pronouncing Biden like “Bidden.”

Jones, speaking from the podium, says the economic stimulus bill will “immediately benefit” renewable energy companies like his.

He adds the bill will allow his companies to maintain jobs and to “begin hiring again.” Jones says Namaste Solar plans to increase its work force by 20 percent this year and 40 percent in 2010.

12:58 p.m.

Biden says the economic stimulus package allows the nation “to take a first, very strong step” on the road to recovery.

Biden is now introducing Blake Jones, CEO of Boulder-based Namaste Solar. Jones will then introduce President Obama.

Namaste Solar was founded in early 2005. The company has installed more than 500 solar photovoltaic systems in Colorado since 2006. Over the past three years, Namaste Solar also has grown to 60 employees from three.

Jones’ presence at the signing underscores the president’s intention to use money from the stimulus package to invest in the nation’s fledgling renewable energy industry.

12:53 p.m.

Vice President Joe Biden is now speaking.

He thanks the governor. “It’s an honor to be here with the president,” says Biden.

Biden is acknowledging various Colorado politicians who are present, including Secretary Salazar, Sen. Michael Bennett, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter.

“Last year our economy lost 3 million jobs,” continues Biden. “We’re here to start to turn that around. . . . We’re gong to start building the economy for the future.”

12:48 p.m.

Standing at the podium, Gov. Bill Ritter is introducing Vice President Joe Biden. The base of the podium is surrounded by blue signs reading, “Making America Work.” President Obama also is standing on the stage, along with Biden.

Ritter says it “my distinct honor and privilege” to introduce Obama.

Nearby, the presidential seal has been affixed to the desk where President Obama will sign the stimulus legislation. The desk itself is on loan from the Colorado governor’s mansion. It was loaned to the museum specifically for the bill signing.

“There is no better place” than Colorado for this signing ceremony, Ritter says, noting the sate’s new energy economy. “It’s about creating a new economic future” for the country.

12:28 p.m.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar is welcoming the crowd inside the museum.

The former Denver senator noted that during the campaign candidate Obama visited Colorado and the West numerous times. Salazar said the trips reinforced that “we knew Colorado and the west was very important.”

Salazar said Colorado will show the world how this nation can “harness” the sun, the wind and other forms of renewable energy.

The crowd has given Salazar a standing ovation after his comments.

12:21 p.m.

Sheryl Renee has just completed singing the national anthem inside the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, just minutes before President Obama is scheduled to sign the $787 million economic stimulus package.

The signing ceremony represents the culmination of the economic stimulus package since Congress passed the historic measure late last week.

Eight American flags stand upright on the podium, near the back A simple wooden table with a chair are located in the middle of the podium. The president presumably will sit there to sign the economic stimulus package. A blue curtain serves as the backdrop for the scene.

12:15 p.m.

Bonita Vaden is SURE she just saw President Barack Obama. He was in the third car in the motorcade.

"He was looking out the window, and I waved at him," Vaden said.

Vaden and Bayonne Holmes brought their nephew, Brenden Harris, 10, to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science today to catch a glimpse of the nation's first Black president.

"It's history in the making," Brenden said. "I probably could have seen him. My aunt thinks she saw him."

"That's what was exciting, just know he was in there," Vaden said.

After the motorcade passed, the boy and his aunts headed back to the entrance of the museum. From there, it might be possible to catch a glimpse at the roof, where President Obama is supposed to check out the solar panels.

"Where are we going to look for him now," Vaden asked.

"He should be on the roof," Holmes said.

"We're going to really see him," Vaden said. "Feel my heart. I'm so excited!"

12:05 p.m.

The motorcade has passed.

"Barack Obama! Barack Obama!" people shouted as the black limousines drove by.

A horn honked.

"Wasn't that great?" a mother said to her little boys.

12:00 p.m.

More than 100 people have moved onto Colorado, lining the street in anticipation of President Obama's motorcade. A handful of people are waving American flags.

Police are keeping people on the sidewalks.

A police motorcycle just passed, and a helicopter hovered briefly overhead.

People are trying to guess the President's route.

"I have a feeling he'd come from (Interstate) 70," a woman says.

"I think we're in a good spot," another woman says.

11:45 a.m.

Dozens of media bags have been checked, photographers and writers have been searched and the wait for the president has begun. In the cafeteria at the museum, security personnel are taking a break. All are muscled, a few are tattooed and many have bright, porcelain green pins on, some shaped as stars, others as small insects or sea creatures.

None of them are willing or apparently authorized to talk about the curious-looking emblems or who they worked for. When approached and asked what their pins symbolize, they refused to reply.

“I see no need to answer that question,” said one.

Denver firefighters on hand were more talkative. “Yeah, they’re with the Secret Service,” said one of Denver’s finest. "The pins are identifiers."

11:35 a.m.

Nicola Croke is always looking to fun things to do with her daughters. Sometimes they go to a museum or to the zoo.

Today it's a trip to see President Obama.

"We heard that Obama was coming, the President," Croke said, "and we wanted to be a part of history."

Outside the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 7-month-old Jennifer sits bundled up in a stroller. Erin, 2 1/2, is piling dirt into a tiny plastic container. "Just the rocks," her mother reminds her.

"I like to go out and do a lot of stuff," Croke said. "I thought today would be a nice day for us all to remember."

11:20 a.m.

A small herd of workers from Namaste Solar – in fact all their employees including the receptionist – are chatting nervously, waiting to take their places on bleachers on the stage.

Stephen Irwin, chief financial officer for the small solar installation company, is dressed in a slightly wrinkled khaki jacket. His colleagues are in corduroys, many with long-hair tied back in pony tails.

“We’re thrilled that Obama has come here, not only to support our company but to support our industry,” Irwin said.

The small firm has been frantically cutting costs in recent months, trying to survive the downturn without laying anyone off from the employee-owned, 55-person company.

Irwin’s boss, Blake Jones, will introduce President Obama shortly, but they plan to keep on celebrating. Once the president leaves town this afternoon, they’re taking their bus back downtown and looking for a place to party.

11:15 a.m.

Close to 100 people have now gathered outside the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Parents have brought their children, some in strollers. American flags fly. Entrepreneurs are selling flags and Barack Obama buttons.

"Do you know what time he's supposed to get here?" someone asks.

Taylor Ellison, 10, sits on the top of the bleachers nearby, taking it all in. On his shirt is a button that says "44th President. Barack Obama."

Ellison has seen the president on TV, but now he wants to see him "up close."

"It's exciting because he is the first black president," said Ellison, who is also black. "He's a great person. Hopefully, he'll do everything that he said that he would."

10:55

Tom Plant, director of Gov. Ritter’s Energy Office, is making his way down the long corridor to the atrium. The former Colorado lawmaker smiles and greets colleagues, clearly excited that Gov. Ritter’s message on energy technology jobs is in the limelight today.

Plant said the economic stimulus bill will have a major impact on Colorado, helping jumpstart the state’s sagging economy and channeling new revenues into its coffers.

“Everyone’s been hearing about the challenges we’re having with our budget,” Plant said. “With the stimulus, we should be able to drive some economic activity.”

Plant said he was hopeful President Obama would hammer the green job message in his speech. “I hope he talks about all the opportunities that exist in the new economy,” Plant said. “We want this to be the message carried across the country.”

10:50 a.m.

Alyssa Roberts has a roll of papers and some markers. She and her friends from East High School are planning to make some posters, supporting President Obama, while they wait for him to arrive at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

"Thank you, Mr. President," she plans to write.

Roberts, 18 and a senior, is among 80 students who make up the East Students for Obama club at her high school. They worked on his campaign and Roberts personally met President Obama in 2007, about a month after he announced he was running for president.

"I'm just really inspired by his message of unity and hope that is now turning into real change," Roberts said.

Roberts and her friends are hoping to at least catch a glimpse of the President today.

"He might not even be coming in this entrance," she said. "But we can hope. This is the best we can do."

10:45 a.m.

Ralph Thurman has Obama hats to sell.

Just $15.

Look, Thurman points out, they're even autographed by the 44th President of the United States.

"I'm here to see Barack again," said Thurman, 45, of Denver. "I go to every one of his rallies since he started to run for President."

In fact, Thurman once even shook President Obama's hand.

"This country needed a change, and he's a good man. He seems very smart," Thurman said. "We saw what happened with the last administration. We might as well try something new."

10:40 a.m.

John Cisneros wouldn't be anywhere else this morning.

He's been supporting President Obama since August. Last fall, he even met the then-aspiring president at Rocky Mountain High School. And he shook Obama's hand.

"This senior citizen is for Obama," says a sign afixed to Cisnero's hat. He is 72 years old, and when he starts talking about Obama and the stimulus plan the President will sign today, Cisneros starts to cry.

"The other side makes me mad for not thinking about every individual citizen, from the person living under the bridge to the millionaire," said Cisneros, of Westminster. "You've got to think of everybody. Some people have everything in the world and to deny someone the right to live, it's not right."

While Cisneros said he's not familiar with all aspects of the stimulus plan, he knows it's here to help.

"How could you deny somebody help?" he said. "You want the country to go to hell? That's stupid."

10:35

Guests have begun to gather in the giant atrium where a small stage is adorned blue and white signs on stage read “Making America Work.”

Former Colorado Governor Roy Romer is chatting with George Sparks, president of the Museum of Nature and Science. Denver City Councilwoman Elbra WedgeWorth is shepherding guests to their seats.

Guests have been told to expect President Obama to reach the atrium for the signing ceremony around 12:40 p.m. Namaste Solar President Blake Jones is scheduled to introduce the president. Namaste is one of the companies that helped the museum install a new solar array last summer that is providing 3 percent to 5 percent of its power.

10:30 a.m.

Mikayla Price can't stand still. She charges to the top of the bleachers, looking for the best view. She stands at the gate outside the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, jumping up and down in place.

"Barack Obama is my favorite," the 6-year-old gushes.

Why?

"Because I like him," she says.

Erin and Matt Price drove to Denver from Canon City for some appointments and realized just how close they would be to the President.

"We thought, 'Might as well go,'" Erin said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance."

Erin reminds her daughter to be on her "best behavior."

Still a couple hours away from the President's expected arrival, Mikayla is excited, to say the least.

"I want to see Barack Obama," she says.

10:20 a.m.

About a dozen people have gathered at the fence blocking the entrance to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, waiting and hoping for a glimpse of President Obama.

Carrie Lucero brought her four children, ages 3 to 9. Each of them holds a sign:

"Thank you for helping kids like me," the first one says.

"And me."

"And me."

"And me get health care."

"With the stimulus package, it's going to help my family," said Lucero, whose family owns three Mexican restaurants. "It's going to help my kids get the health care that they need and that they deserve."

Lucero's children will the the fourth generation to keep the Lucero's Mexican food restaurants running.

Mom actually wanted President Obama to come to Lucero's to sample the "best green chili in town," but that's not likely to happen. So she brought the kids to him.

"I'm here to see Barack Obama," said 9-year-old Kiarra, who spent about 30 minutes hand-drawing her thank-you sign. "I never got to go and see a President."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Carrie Lucero said. "I think my kids should be part of history."

9:50 a.m.

Kathy Bennett stands outside the Denver Museum of Nature and Science looking for the protest rally. It's supposed to start at 11 a.m.

Bennett, of Colorado Springs, pulled her 14-year-old son, Tally, out of school today to come to Denver for President Obama's visit.

"This is a moment in history," Bennett said. "It's either the beginning of the end for America or the beginning of the beginning."

But make no mistake. Bennett does not support the stimulus plan President Obama will sign today.

"We think what he's doing is wrong. We think this is the beginning of the end," Bennett said. "It's like running a household. If you spend money, you can't ever get on solid footing. Where does a country go when it goes bankrupt?"

So far, Bennett is the only one to show up for the rally.

"Honestly, there should be more people against it," she said. "But you tell people what they want to hear and you can get people to do whatever you want. We're like a bunch of sheep."

9:40 a.m.

Mario Lorentz drove all the way from Colorado Springs to stand with his message on a corner just outside the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

"What happened to personal responsibility?" the sign said. "No tax $ to irresponsible homeowners!"

Lorentz, 35, said his message wasn't directed so much at President Obama. Rather, he wanted to reach all the people who would drive by today to see or try to catch a glimpse of the president.

Lorentz "saved and sacrificed" all his life only to lose 3/4 of his savings in a matter of months. Now he is unemployed.

At the same time, others are "living beyond their means," Lorentz said. "They want government to pay their mortgage. That's part of the problem with this country."

"They're all trying to live like movie stars. There's a huge percentage of people in this country living beyond their means," he said. "Now they're crying, 'The government should bail me out.'"

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