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Despite Clinton Endorsement, Some Colorado Delegates Will Still Vote For Sanders

By Shaun Boyd

DENVER (CBS4) - Bernie Sanders' endorsement of Hillary Clinton is getting a tepid reception among some Colorado delegates.

"I have said publicly that if she happens to be the nominee, I'll vote for her, but my vote does not indicate my endorsement," said state Rep. Joe Salazar.

Salazar is one of Colorado's 41 pledged Sanders delegates. Clinton has 25.

Anita Lynch and Cleo Dioletis are also Colorado delegates and, like Salazar, are skeptical of Clinton's commitment to carry on the "revolution."

Anita Lynch and Cleo Dioletis
Anita Lynch and Cleo Dioletis (credit: CBS)

In defending his endorsement, Sanders said Clinton understands progressive principles like the need to raise the minimum wage, for example, and lower student debt. But Lynch says Sanders is simply holding Clinton accountable.

"I think he said those to remind people that she has committed to do these things and it's now on record because she was standing there and didn't refute any of that," Lynch said.

Sanders has also scored changes to the Democratic platform and Dioletis says he could influence party rules to eliminate super delegates, which helped make Clinton the presumptive nominee.

hillary bernie
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders at an event on Tuesday (credit: CBS)

"I understand why they were formed but I think at this stage of the game they need to leave because they're part of the problem not the solution," said Dioletis.

All three delegates say they will cast votes for Sanders at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia at the end of the month. Lynch was the only one who hasn't decided whether she will back Clinton in the general election.

Salazar says the party still needs to work on unity.

Rep. Joe Salazar
Rep. Joe Salazar (credit: CBS)

"The problem with the Democratic Party is that we believe we have to unify around a person and that's what's decimating us as a party. What we need to do is we need to unify around our principles and our ideals," he said.

Republican presumptive nominee Donald Trump has also been courting Sanders supporters. He released a statement on Twitter accusing Sanders of "selling out" his supporters.

"Bernie Sanders endorsing crooked Hillary Clinton is like Occupy Wall Street endorsing Goldman Sachs," Trumps tweet said.

Sanders still has not suspended his campaign or released his delegates.

Shaun Boyd is CBS4's political specialist. She's a veteran reporter with more than 25 years of experience. Follow her on Twitter @cbs4shaun.

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