Denver is attempting to bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention. They most raise approximately $20 million from the Colorado business community as a part of the $80 million cost for the convention. The estimated economic impact in the Denver metro area would be at least $160 million, which is about the same that Boston saw in 2004 when it hosted the Democratic National Convention. Denver metro area hotels are holding open 19,000 of 38,000 hotel rooms to accommodate Denver's bid for the Democratic National Convention.

A decision by the Democratic National Committee is expected by early December. The leader of the committee, Howard Dean has told the Denver host committee that his biggest fear about the city's bid was its ability to raise money. Qwest and Comcast have already pledged $5 million each, and Xcel Energy has pledged $1.5 million. The host committee would like to raise as much money as possible from the greater Colorado business community.

Qwest would also provide all telecommunications services, including wireless and video, for the convention. Coors Brewing Company has also committed to fund the effort, but they have not yet decided what their involvement will be. Besides the money issue, another potential obstacle in Denver's bid was removed in September when workers at the 1,100-room Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center voted to unionize, making it Denver's only union hotel. The Democratic National Committee had said that the party considers union support when deciding where to go.