Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper promised Denver will shine in the national spotlight of the upcoming Democratic National Convention during his fifth State of the City address [1] today.

"Eight weeks from today, Denver will host the most important gathering in its history," he said.

"It would be difficult to imagine a greater place to celebrate the future of our nation."

The mayor began speaking shortly after 11:30 a.m. at the Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building in downtown Denver.

Hickenlooper, who wore a casual open-collar shirt and no tie or jacket, joked about the warm temperature in the atrium, saying that his green business initiative supported at least a little bit of air conditioning.