By Regina Lynch-Hudson

Editor’s note: Doing Biz In debuts this month with Denver Urban Spectrum. Doing Biz In features continuously updated coverage of a full spectrum of top cities where readers conduct business. Publicist and travel writer Regina Lynch-Hudson has penned destination catalogs and articles for companies such as Vacation Express, North American Airlines and AirTran Airways.

City Smarts — In January 2006, Hotwire.com announced that Denver is one of the top 10 cities in the United States that offers the greatest value to visitors. The city’s distinguished history certainly has added to the overall value and vision that has brought Denver into the new millennium. The key drivers of Denver’s economy are tourism and government.

Denver has more than doubled in population since 1960. The City and County of Denver had a population of 554,636 in 2000, making it larger than the entire population of Wyoming. The six-county metro area has a population of 2.4 million ― and is the 20th largest metro area in America with the 10th-largest downtown area.

Bring an open mind. Denver is not a “Black city.” Though Blacks do very well in Denver, they make up only 11 percent of the city's population and less than 4 percent of the state's citizens, though Denver and Colorado Springs have had Black mayors and two Black Lieutenant Governors.

Denver is home to America's premier museum, the Black American West Museum, celebrating Blacks in the west; a Black rodeo; an internationally recognized African-American dance company, the Cleo Parker Robinson Company; and the Blair-Caldwell African-American Research Library. There’s also a Black theater group, the Shadow Theatre Company, that’s gaining notoriety. And of course, an active Black ski club, known as Slippers and Sliders.

Jetsetter — Richard Lewis is the successful entrepreneur of the IT services and solutions company RTL Networks Inc. Lewis is a former All-State high school football player and track and field champion. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and William and Mary’s MBA program, and is also a 2006 graduate of Leadership Denver. Besides being president and CEO of his multi-million dollar company, Lewis is also a committed father and dedicated member of several community boards, where he actively works to support the growth of Colorado-based, Black-owned businesses. He has provided his time, energy, and leadership with the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Colorado Black Chamber, Denver’s National Black MBA Association chapter, Colorado Youth At Risk, Denver’s Junior Achievement chapter, and Mayor Hickenlooper’s Education Sub-committee. He is also on the accountability committee at Willow Creek Elementary School in Aurora and coaches youth league sports with Aurora Parks and Recreation.

Lewis is co-founder of the Denver Black Professionals Consortium, a bi-annual African American-themed networking event that attracts more than 700 Black professionals to hear featured speakers like Mayors Webb and Hickenlooper. Lewis shows the community that people can effect change today and shape the future through involvement, participation and hard work. “We are each stronger when we are all stronger,” Lewis says. “Therefore, we must all do our best at whatever we do and support one another.”

Getting Around — You will need a car to really enjoy the area. To come to Denver and not visit some of the wondrous mountain areas like Vail, Frisco, and Glenwood Springs, all within an hour and a half of the city, would be a waste. Aspen and Telluride are farther away but well worth the time. That said, if you plan to stay downtown, one can get around without wheels. Hop on the free 16th Street Mall shuttle that stops every block during the mile-long downtown route. Or, to travel across the city via bus or Light Rail, visit www.rtd-denver.com for route and fare information.

Survival Kit — In a city that really is one mile high from sea level, visitors must come prepared for anything. Water, sunscreen and walking shoes top off the list, but a set of clubs for the city’s 90 area golf courses, and sweater and t-shirt for the mild, but ever-changing climate are worth a space in the suitcase.

Catching ZZZs — The most recent – and arguably the most striking – addition to Denver’s skyline is the $285 million, 37-story Hyatt hotel that opened December 2005. The first downtown high-rise built in Denver for 25 years, the hotel is the largest hotel built under the Hyatt name in more than two decades. It is located across the street from the Colorado Convention Center and offers a four story atrium lobby and ballrooms of 30,000 and 15,000 square feet.

Guests of the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center can select from 1,100 rooms including 72 suites, some with outdoor terraces. The hotel also features a 6,700 square foot health club with more than 100 pieces of cardio and fitness equipment, a 50-foot indoor lap pool, a sauna, a steam room and a sun deck.

The hotel’s convenient downtown location offers easy access to Denver’s burgeoning nightlife and restaurant scene.

The Power Lunch — Chosen by the Rocky Mountain News newspaper as the city’s top power lunch hot spot, The Palm seats some of the city’s most influential businesspeople, bringing a whole new meaning to “power lunch.” This centrally located restaurant specializes in seafood, so whether diners choose an ahi tuna salad, lobster bisque or broiled crab cakes, they will not be disappointed.

And for a quiet or quick unique spot, visit Blackberries in the Five Points community. Enjoy an espresso or cappuccino while on your laptop or try the homemade soup, deli sandwiches, or creamy ice cream.

Cultural Chow — Denver is gaining in national reputation for its innovative young chefs and Southwestern cuisine. There are 300 chic eateries located within walking distance of Denver’s 16th Street Mall and that’s only a fraction of the nearly 2,000 restaurants city-wide. Denver’s oldest restaurant, the Buckhorn Exchange, is a top, no-fail choice for wild game lovers.

If your palate is craving an ethnic flavor, the number one choice is M&Ds, specializing in barbecue ribs and southern fried fish.

Networkin’ — The Denver Urban Spectrum and Denver Weekly News, two Black-focused newspapers, are great sources of information and facts on where to rub elbows and see what is happening in the city. The Denver Black Pages and Denver Urban Connection keep the African-American community up to speed on what is going on around town with online Web sites.

To De-Stress — With 300 days of sunshine a year, Denver is a sports and outdoor activities capital. The city offers more than 650 miles (720 km) of paved, designated bike paths, including two beautiful stretches through downtown along Cherry Creek and along the South Platte River.

Footloose & Fancy Free — Denver isn’t known as the “Napa Valley of Beer” for nothing! And, since the first building in Denver was a saloon, it’s natural that Denver has become a great beer town. In fact, Denver produces more beer than any other city: on average more than 80 different beers are brewed in Denver daily. The largest brewpub in the country is the Wynkoop Brewing Company (owned by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper).

Flight Time — Just 10 years old, Denver International Airport (DEN) was recently named the best airport in North America by the Business Traveler magazine. AirTran Airways offers daily low-fare flights from Denver to over 50 major US. cities. AirTran Airways is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 717. Call 1-800-AIR-TRAN (247-8726) or visit www.airtran.com.

Thanks to our friends at the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau and numerous tourism facilities for contributing information.

Editor’s note: Regina Lynch-Hudson organizes cultural press trips, and handles destination marketing for resorts, bed and breakfasts, and tourism boards. For more information on her and her company, The Write Publicist & Co., visit www.thewritepublicist.com.

This article was first published in the Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine in May 2006 and reprinted with permission from the publisher. Portions of this article were changed.