GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Wednesday's TEA Party brought thousands to Lincoln Park to rally against taxes, TABOR, socialism, bailouts, government spending — and just about anyone and anything Democrat.

Stepping up to the dais to Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It," Mesa County Comissioner Janet Rowland fired up the crowd with her usual aplomb talking about issues ranging from TABOR to clearing the Colorado Supreme Court bench.

"Those elected officials who do not support TABOR, support our Constitution ... say sayonara," Rowland said to the crowd.

Guest speaker Arvid Mosnes received rousing support when he said that Americans "elected a president with more similarities to Hugo Chavez."

"We the people have to be fully engaged and take this country back," Mosnes said.

Local conservative newspaper columnist Rick Wagner offered: "If you are not participating (in the political process), you're losing, regardless of your party."

While Craig Meis, who came as a taxpayer and citizen, not as a Mesa County Commissioner, said: "This is the best hope and change I've seen ... This is also the happiest I've been on April 15." He ended with taking a shot at the recent invocation flap before commissioner meetings, saying it makes him "fighting mad."

Also giving a speech were Jennifer Bailey with the Western Colorado 9:12 Project and Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier, who claims he will announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate against Sen. Michael Bennet.

Crowd estimates range from 2,000-3,000. The rally was very peaceful, with nary a sign of opposition protesters around. After the 1 hour and 15 minute long event, many of the participants marched to 12th and North and lined the streets holding and waving signs.