Governor to host holiday party for Colorado Guard families Published Dec. 16, 2011 By Colorado National Guard Public Affairs CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- Gov. John Hickenlooper will host a holiday reception for the family members of deployed Colorado National Guardsmen Monday at the governor's mansion. Festivities will begin at 12:15 p.m. Dec 19 at Beottcher Mansion at 400 East 8th Ave. in Denver. CONG senior leaders will be on hand earlier in the day as the children enjoy crafts, cookies, milk, cider and cocoa. Hickenlooper and Adjutant General of Colorado, Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards, will be arriving with Santa Claus via a holiday Humvee at 1:15 p.m. The governor will then read "The Soldiers' Night Before Christmas" at 1:20 p.m., and will allow photo opportunities with Santa afterward. The Colorado National Guard has nearly 200 Soldiers and Airman who are deployed and separated from their families during this holiday season. Hickenlooper and Edwards have released video messages for CONG members and their families. Videos can be viewed or downloaded at http://www.youtube.com/congpaotv. FOR ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: Media interested in covering this event should enter through the north gate no later than 12:30. Media should coordinate in advance with Maj. Elena O'Bryan. Maj. Elena O'Bryan Cell: 720-250-1053 Elena.obryan@ang.af.mil