KIT CARSON, Colo -- When President Barack Obama takes the stage in Denver Tuesday, he will be surrounded by Coloradoans hoping the stimulus package will help them and their communities through these tough economic times.

Gerald Keefe will attend the event.

A long-time resident of Cheyenne County, Keefe, the superintendent of Kit Carson Schools, is an advocate for rural education.

He is a Republican, but throughout the entire stimulus package process, his Democratic Congresswoman, Betsey Markey, asked for his input on what rural schools need.

He said they found common ground -- something had to be done.

Markey invited him to be her guest at tomorrow’s event.

“I said, ‘Well even though I’m a Republican, I would definitely not miss the opportunity to attend this and meet the president of the United States of America. That would be quite an honor,’” said Keefe. “I support some of the components of the stimulus package … whether it’s the answer or not, time will tell.”

He said the economic stimulus plan could specifically benefit his district because of more money for special education and a stabilization fund to prevent cuts in the state finance act that would have a huge impact on small-town schools.