GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - History was made at a Grand Junction City Council meeting Wednesday night. For the first time in the city's history, an atheist delivered the opening invocation. A member of the group Western Colorado Atheists and Free Thinkers was randomly selected to give what's usually an opening prayer at the meeting. Joe Alaimo's remarks centered on public service and protecting human rights, which the group says are not belief–based. The atheist group had actually been petitioning the city council to drop invocations or prayers since 2008.

"This business of government is government, not religion. But if they are going to have religion involved in government, then it needs to include all the religions, including no religion," says Alaimo.

Alaimo finished his speech in saying that he hoped that government officials could serve the public without bowing their heads and praying, and find strength in one another instead. The Western Colorado Atheists and Free Thinkers say 16 to 20 percent of Americans are non–believers.