At an inauguration watch party in Denver hosted by the local Republican Party, an enthusiastic crowd eating breakfast spoke of the evolution in coming to support Donald Trump.

Inside Pete’s Greek Town Cafe – as the crowd of about 100 sipped coffee and forked down bites of pancakes, bacon and eggs – on the televisions above them President Barack Obama exited the White House for the final time and traveled with Trump to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremony.

The camera panned to First Lady Michelle Obama, as one woman sitting at a long wooden dining room table inside the Denver Greek diner turned to the man across from her and said, “She has a smug look on her face.”

U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York received “boos” from the crowd as his remarks from the inauguration were broadcast on the televisions.

The reactions appropriately summarized some of the sentiment in the room, that the election of Trump was a vindication that America was ready to push the Obama administration into the rearview mirror, despite the many protests of Trump’s presidency across the nation, including rallies in Colorado.

Democrat Hillary Clinton would have represented more of the same Obama policies to this room full of Republicans.

“It’s time for a change,” said Lance Jenkins, who drove from Castle Rock for the celebration, underscoring that he was not at first a Trump supporter, but that Trump grew on him.

“As he got more and more popular, more and more of his message got out, and certainly that resonated with me.”

While attendees were fixated on the television screens, officials with the Denver County Republican Party passed around an empty KFC bucket collecting donations. Meanwhile, the group stood to say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Jeff Hays, the El Paso County GOP chair who is running for state chair, worked the room, speaking with party members about why he wants to lead the state party. Hays is one of two candidates seeking the position. He joins George Athanasopoulos of Wheat Ridge. The party election is in April.

“We are so blessed that the most successful, most powerful country in the world can have this peaceful transfer of authority,” Hays said. “That’s an unbelievable blessing that we have.”

Hays said that as a county party chair, he stayed out of picking favorites in the crowded GOP primary. But he said once Trump was the party’s candidate, he was “100 miles per hour.”

A loud applause erupted in the room as Mike Pence was sworn in as vice president, followed by thunderous cheers when Trump finished taking the oath. Trump promised them, “You will never be ignored again.”

With that historic moment, these Republicans looked toward a hopeful four years.

“I love his authenticity. I think that’s what we need in America right now, is somebody who won’t lie to us,” said Tim Moore, who helped host the watch party with his wife, Sue Moore, chairwoman of the Denver County Republican Party.

“You may not like what he says, or the way he says it, but he’s not going to lie to you.”