Saturday's rallies by a number of anti-tax "tea party" groups took place at the Colorado Capitol. Groups from across Colorado participated.

The events are just a few of many "Tea Party Patriots" rallies nationwide, which have already drawn thousands in other states.  In Washington, D.C. thousands of people marched along Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol to protest what they call the out-of-control federal spending.

The protesters oppose expanding the federal government and oppose the policies of Obama and the ruling Democrats in Congress.

There was one rally Saturday morning at the state Capitol and one in the evening. "Tea Party" groups also gathered in Castle Rock this afternoon.

The tea parties took place while President Barack Obama addressed a crowd in Minneapolis about his health care plan Saturday.

Obama assailed critics of his health care initiative and said he "will not accept the status quo."

Obama said his plan incorporates ideas from those on both sides. And he promised to continue to seek common ground.

But he warned that he wouldn't waste time with people who have decided "that it's better politics to kill this plan than improve it."

Reacting to the president's new campaign, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said: "The status quo is unacceptable. But so are the alternatives that the administration and Democrats in Congress have proposed."