COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made his third visit to Colorado this year with an appearance in Colorado Springs, normally a stronghold for Republicans.

Obama appeared Wednesday morning for an invitation-only event at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He used the opportunity to lay out his agenda on national service -- both in the military and in civic service.

He arrived at 11:07 a.m. and finished speaking at 11:40 a.m.

Colorado Springs is the home of Focus on the Family, whose founder James Dobson accused Obama last week of distorting the Bible.

Colorado Springs has mostly conservative voters and is home to many military families. Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, Cheyenne Air Force Station, the U.S. Air Force Academy and Fort Carson Army Base are all in the vicinity.

The presidential hopeful talked about the impact of Sept. 11, 2001 and how under the current leadership Americans were lead in the wrong direction of war.

Obama said as president, he's calling for more people to join the military and increase ground forces by 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 Marines.

"The burden of service has fallen exclusively on to the backs of our military -- and their families -- who have endured tour after tour of duty bravely and brilliantly, even though they haven't always gotten the care and support they have earned," Obama said.

"The men and women of our military -- from Fort Carson to Peterson Air Force base, from the Air Force Academy to the ROTC students here on campus -- have signed up at a time when our troops face an ever-increasing load. Fighting a resurgent Taliban. Targeting al Qaeda. Persevering in the deserts and cities of Iraq. Training foreign militaries. Delivering humanitarian relief. In this young century, our military has answered when called, even as that call has come too often. Through their commitment, their capability, and their courage they have done us all proud.

"But we need to ease the burden on our troops, while meeting the challenges of the 21st century. That's why I will call on a new generation of Americans to join our military, and complete the effort to increase our ground forces by 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 Marines.

Obama said in his speech that he's not just asking for votes but service and active citizenship if he is elected as president.

"Just as we must value and encourage military service across our society, we must honor and expand other opportunities to serve. Because the future of our nation depends on the soldier at Fort Carson, but it also depends on the teacher in East LA, the nurse in Appalachia, the after-school worker in New Orleans, the Peace Corps volunteer in Africa, and the Foreign Service officer in Indonesia. Americans have shown that they want to step up," Obama said.

Obama said he would expand the Peace Corps, Americorps and USA Freedom Corps, and start a new Energy Corps. He also said he would ask veterans to help other veterans find jobs and services, and to help military families.

Obama also pledged to increase the nation's Foreign Service and reopen consulates in other nations.

A private fundraiser is scheduled later Wednesday at the Broadmoor Hotel.

Obama also visited Colorado in January and May. The state voted Republican in 2004 but a poll of Colorado voters last week showed Obama ahead of Republican John McCain by 5 percentage points.

McCain is planning a visit to Colorado soon. A number of Republicans have received calls inviting them to attend a town hall event Monday in Denver. But, a McCain Colorado campaign spokesman would not not confirm the Monday visit. He would only say that McCain is "coming soon."