Keys to the City

Facts & Fundamentals

The "Mile High" city, nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, is as flat as a pancake. But what a view! Once a gold rush town, Denver is now Colorado's commercial and transportation center. Home to major corporations, cultural attractions, museums, parks, galleries, brewpubs, and shops, the city has a little something for everyone. Plenty of sunshine and "unsinkable" energy are bonuses, plus great neighbors including world-famous ski resorts and the Coors Brewing Company.

Because Denver is exactly a mile high, the altitude change will make a difference in normal activities. It is important to drink plenty of water as the air is extremely dry, and sunscreen is a must due to the city's greater exposure to the sun. When playing golf, note that golf balls will fly 10% farther, and when enjoying the evening out, beware that alcoholic drinks pack more of a punch here than at sea level.

Weather

In Denver, the sun typically shines 300 days a year, so be prepared for beautiful skies. During the winter, expect cool, snowy weather and in the summer, warm, sunny days and cool nights. The average annual rainfall is approximately 15.8 inches.

Holidays & Business Hours

On federal and state holidays, many offices and businesses close or have truncated hours. Naturally, policies vary, but in general, the following holidays are broadly observed:

Coming & Going

Air travelers to Denver will most likely arrive and depart from Denver International Airport (DEN). Three bustling concourses and a main terminal handle upwards of 51 million passengers a year – no small feat for the tenth busiest airport in the world. Underground trains convey passengers between the terminals rapidly, making the airport an easy one to navigate.

A ground transportation information counter in the Jeppesen Terminal supplies travelers with information about rental cars, city buses, taxis, and transportation to the mountains.

Making Your Way

Denver's downtown is easily walkable, but if this is impractical for your group, there are plenty of car and shuttle services available. Taxis can be hailed, but it is preferable to call and arrange for a pickup or wait at a taxi stand outside a major hotel. The main cab companies are Yellow Cab (303-777-7777) and Metro Taxi (303-333-3333).

The continually expanding RTD Light Rail and Bus System provides options for fast, convenient and affordable travel throughout Denver's Central, Southwest and Southeast metro areas. For fare and schedule information call 303-299-6000 or visit the website at www.SoutheastLightRail.com.

News & Views

Denver's major daily newspaper is the Denver Post. A handful of alternative and weekly newspapers also serve the area, including Westword, Denver Daily News, and Out Front Colorado.

Quirks & Curiosities

Denver is the only city to decline to host the Olympic Games after having been chosen. Skyrocketing costs and worries over the environmental effects of the games led voters to reject a $5 million bond issue in 1972. Innsbruck, Austria, was eventually selected as a replacement city.

Getting Your Bearings

The Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau's knowledgeable sales staff can assist you in every aspect of planning your successful event. Its award-winning convention services staff can help you with everything after the booking is complete. The bureau is also a great resource for visitors seeking places to stay and things to do.

Official Visitor Information Center - Downtown
1600 California St
Unit 6
Denver, CO 80202
303-892-1505

Necessities - Post Offices

There are a multitude of post office branches in the greater Denver metro area, as well as drop boxes throughout the city. Should you need to conduct serious postal business, stop by the main post office branch for the full range of services and resources. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm; Saturday, 8:30am-7pm.

Main Post Office, Denver
951 20th St
Denver, CO 80202

Common Courtesies

Although tipping is generally a personal matter, there are some guidelines that prove helpful to travelers. At restaurants, servers typically get 15% of the bill, although 10% acknowledges basic assistance, and 20% awards exceptional service. It is also common now for some restaurants to charge an automatic gratuity of 18% for groups. You should be aware of this possibility before providing an additional tip. Taxi drivers usually fit into similar guidelines by receiving a tip equivalent to 15% of the tab.

Often, a dollar tip covers many situations. Bartenders are customarily given $1 per cocktail, hotel maids are provided $1 for each day of a stay, bellhops get about $1 per bag, and a coat-check clerk typically receives $1 as well. The exception is a concierge, who generally receives $5-$10 for standard service (additional assistance suggests more).