DENVER -- Politics didn't take a holiday this Independence Day.

A group of protesters gathered outside the state Capitol Saturday morning as part of a nationwide Tea Party to protest the Obama administration's health care, energy and environmental agenda. The protesters said Americans are overtaxed and Obama's stimulus plans will bankrupt the country and future generations.

"Certain things have gotten out of control," said Tony Gillis, who helped coordinate the event in front of the Capitol.

The Tea (Taxed Enough Already) Party is a loose coalition of largely conservative anti-big government individuals. "There are a range of opinions here," Gillis said.

They are united by growing frustration that as the government steps into more parts of the economy, from the economic stimulus package to the takeover of GM, private businesses will lose control and be forced to follow more regulation.

"The stimulus itself is a problem," Gillis said, adding he believes it takes money from people who are doing well and gives it to those who took risks "and bails them out of their mistakes."

Gov. Bill Ritter's spokesman, Evan Dreyer, took issue with that description, saying the country's recession has presented unprecedented challenges.

"We are all looking for answers," Dreyer said. "Government is a part of that."

Dreyer said Ritter's focus has been about "good government" that does "everything it can to create jobs."

"That is Governor Ritter's singular focus and has been for months," Dreyer said.

Gillis said that while he believes the county is headed "in the wrong direction," he believes the movement is not based out of anger but an "overwhelming sense of nervousness."

He said people should study the issues and make up their own minds. "We should think about what kind of country we want to live in and be willing to take a stand to make that happen," Gillis said.

The demonstration in front of the Capitol was one of number held across the state Saturday. Other events were scheduled in Castle Rock and Fort Collins.