Things to do and how to get around Denver this weekend
Want to see history in the making at the Democratic National Convention this week? Whether you are a volunteer, an intern with an organization, or simply want to do a bit of sightseeing, here are a few student-friendly tips for attending Denver’s biggest party in decades.
Getting there:
Parking downtown will be a nightmare worse than you can imagine, so it is a better idea to take the bus down to Denver. Your RTD student bus pass will get you on the B or BX bus headed downtown for free.
The B will take you downtown in approximately an hour, as it stops at Park-and-Rides along the way from Boulder to Denver. The BX is an express bus that heads directly to Denver after leaving the Table Mesa Park-and-Ride in Boulder, and will likely get you there in about half an hour.
Most passengers will board at the RTD Park-and-Ride at Table Mesa, so catching the bus across from the UMC at the intersection of 16th and Broadway will give you a better chance of getting a seat on the bus instead of standing the whole way down to Denver. Those headed downtown will likely be a mix of locals hoping to catch a glimpse of a celebrity or well-known politician along with volunteers and student interns.
The bus will take you to Union Station. From there, there is a free mall shuttle that will take you all the way along 16th Street Mall, though it will likely be tightly packed with passengers. Keep in mind that Lightrail will not be running from Union Station to the Pepsi Center.
Your chance at fame:
After getting off the bus at Union Station, head over to the right-hand side of the street where the MSNBC media delegation will be filming. NBC Nightly News Anchors Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw along with Keith Olbermann are common sights at this network set.
The cameras are positioned so that you can catch a few minutes of fame on television while standing in the background of the set. Protestors and supporters of Democratic hopeful Barack Obama often gather here to make their voices heard on a national scope.
Getting your DNC gear:
Visiting the DNC in Denver is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most of us, so it is important to stock up on merchandise that proves you made it to the big event. Although there are many independent vendors selling buttons, pins and shirts all along 16th Street Mall, there are also a couple of licensed booths with Denver 2008 and Obama campaign merchandise.
Independent vendors often offer lower prices on their goods, whereas licensed sellers can offer authorized souvenirs at a slightly higher price. Mugs, shirts, magnets, and key chains abound populate the streets of Denver, so there are plenty of souvenirs to go around. Keep an eye out for free maps and information guides handed out by volunteers on the streets.
Best chance for a celebrity sighting:
Stop outside Earl’s restaurant on 16th Street Mall around lunchtime to catch a glimpse of celebrities such as Susan Sarandon or George Clooney enjoying a meal in the Mile High City. Crowds gather here daily to wait for celebrities who might be passing through on their quest for sustenance. Swing by the Brown Palace Hotel on Tremont to see politicians headed out to the Colorado Convention Center or the Pepsi Center.
Security:
The streets of Denver will be flooded with police and SWAT teams in full gear. It is best to stay out of their way, although they won’t bother you if you don’t make trouble for them; they’re there to keep protests and demonstrations from getting out of hand. Don’t be surprised if you see snipers on the rooftops of high-rise buildings.
Law enforcement is also on alert for any suspicious packages or bags left lying around. It is much like the airport: Do not leave any baggage unattended. They will be confiscated, and may be destroyed.
Protests:
Keeping with the American tradition, you can expect to find yourself in the midst of a protest or demonstration at some point during your visit downtown. The majority of the protests will center on issues such as abortion, healthcare and the war in Iraq. Though most protestors claim to be peaceful, watch out for demonstrations that can get out of hand and become dangerous. Make sure you are not caught in the middle of a protest if police come to break it up.
Inside the Convention itself:
Unless you have been pre-approved and have received credentials necessary for entrance into the Pepsi Center, you will not be able to enter the perimeter or grounds of the building. A long black fence encircles the Pepsi Center, and is guarded by police and SWAT team members.
Approaching the fence for pictures is allowed, but entrance into the grounds themselves is restricted without proper credentialing. If you signed up for and received a community credential for Obama’s acceptance speech, you will be able to enter Invesco Field on Thursday night to hear him speak.
The DNC will run Monday Aug. 25 through Thursday Aug. 28.
Contact CU Independent News Editor Kate Spencer at Katherine.a.spencer@colorado.edu.
