Howdy Folks!
When considering why Denver is exempt from preemption, we need to remember that this wasn't based on a vote of the citizens. We can amend our constitution in Colorado by referrendum. A city ordinance, however, is the work of the city council and does not necessarily reflect the will of the electorate.
As for the population of Denver, it had a population of 600,158 residents in 2010. The census bureau estimated Colorado to have a population of 5,024,748 in 2009. Denver is the largest city within 600 miles. It is also the flatest city, sitting on a level plain at the base of the Rocky Mountain front range.
Denver receives 300 days of sunshine a year (none of which we've enjoyed lately!!!)
Denver is the nation's most highly educated city with the highest percentage of high school and college graduates.
Denver brews more beer than any other American city. (Rocky Mountain Soda Pop.... Coors!)
Denver has the largest city park system in the nation with 205 parks in city limits and 20,000 acres of parks in the nearby mountains.
Denver is the "Baby Boomer" capital of America with the highest percentage of boomers of any major U.S. city.
Denver is 20th in the U.S. in population, but has the 10th largest downtown in terms of office space and retail space.
Denver has the nation's second largest performing arts center. The Denver Performing Arts Complex has eight theaters seating over 9,000 people.
Denver citizens contribute more public funding for the arts per capita than any other U.S. city.
Denver has the thinnest residents of any U.S. city, according to a federal study.
Denver really is a mile high. There's a spot on the west steps of the State Capitol building that is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level.
To the above may be added that Denver has traditionally been looked upon as a "Cow Town" and that's an image that causes many in government here to bristle profusely. It has much to do with our new megalithic airport, new sports stadiums, and spectacular expenditure of treasure to shake that image. In essence, Denver badly wants to dump that cow town image and be regarded as a vibrant, modern, technologically advanced city. I believe their resistence to open carry has more to do with Denver wanting to shed that cow town image where citizens all carry shooting irons as they did in earlier days than with any liberal or conservative bias. Denver doesn't seem to have issues with concealed carry, mind you. Just open carry and their sensitivities about how it might look to the touristas. While Denver certainly is a vibrant, modern and technologically advanced city; I believe it still suffers from a latent inferiority complex at governmental levels. At the very least, it appears they have a self esteem issue of municipal proportions.
Then again, that's just my own belief and I can't back that up with evidence. It's like trying to document the usefulness of a flood at the Alka Seltzer factory!
Meanwhile, I'll strap on my pistol, don my Stetson, and stay clear of Denver.
Oh, wait... I tend to do that now anyhow!
Blessings,
M-Taliesin