As former Vice President Al Gore began his speech, fire marshals began to block off access to the increasingly crowded floor of Invesco Field at Mile High.

Moments earlier, newly elected Rep. Donna Edwards sat with her fellow Maryland delegates in the stands, clapping and dancing to Sheryl Crow. She called today’s events and the opportunity to vote for change unprecedented.

“I hope that we are smart enough not to ignore it and let it pass us by,” she said.