Taxpayers are on the hook for Barack Obama’s huge rally in Denver.

More on that in a moment on the Face The State Radio Minute.

After three weeks of silence, police have finally calculated the overtime staff cost to taxpayers for President-Elect Barack Obama’s October visit to Denver. The tab: Over $11,000. What’s more, the Obama campaign won’t be required to pay it back.

I understand the need for executive protection for candidates. But the Obama campaign shut down blocks of downtown Denver for a huge campaign rally, drawing tens of thousands of supporters. And the people of Denver shouldn’t be on the hook for the cost of security. Obama’s campaign took in a record amount of money this election cycle. Campaigns shouldn’t be a drain on already stressed public coffers.

Surprisingly, Denver PD spokesman Sonny Jackson doesn’t see anything wrong with the $11,000 in taxpayer-funded overtime. Maybe you do?

For FaceTheState.com, I’m Brad Jones.