Notes for those attending SPC

[Brad Judy <brad.judy () CU EDU>]

I’m excited to have hundreds of my colleagues from across the country (and a few other countries) coming to our city 
for SPC in a few weeks.  As a local who works about six blocks from the event, I figured I would follow up with a few 
notes for visitors.

It’s higher altitude, so drink lots of water and be cautious with alcohol.  With the lower oxygen content in your 
blood, you’ll feel the effects of alcohol with fewer drinks.

For those partaking in the legal recreational marijuana in town, keep in mind that it is not legal to smoke it on the 
street and there is no smoking of any type allowed in the hotel.  Take caution if consuming edible products to pay 
attention of portion sizing and that it may take 1-2 hours to kick in.  If you consume too much or consume some and 
also take on a night of drinking, you will regret it.  Also, we will make fun of you the next day.

Sites: The hotel is in downtown Denver at 18th and California.  For those interested in exploring on foot, consider 
these options:


·         It’s only two blocks from 16th St Mall, which is a pedestrian/bus street running through downtown with a lot 
of restaurants and retail.  The shuttle bus running up and down this street is free and you can hop on at the end of 
any block.

·         You’re about a half-mile walk to Civic Center Park which is surrounded by the capitol building, state 
government building, city library and Denver Art Museum.

o    Denver Art Museum – it’s two buildings of very different architecture.  If you want to visit it, I have a few 
guest passes.

·         It’s just a bit more than a half-mile to Coors Field, home of the Rockies, but they are out of town both 
before and during the conference.

·         The Denver Mint is about a half-mile away (right next to Civic Center Park) and does tours with same-day 
ticket sales only.  Apparently there aren’t tours on May 2, but there should be on the 1st and 3rd - 
https://competition.usmint.gov/visiting-the-united-states-mint-in-denver-colorado/  You can also just pop into the gift 
shop.  If you know someone who collects quarters, they have a change machine where you put in a dollar and get four 
brand new quarters that were produced in the last couple of weeks.

Food – There are lots of restaurants within walking distance, particularly around 16th St Mall.  Some ideas:

·         The following are on the same block (16th St between Welton and Glenarm) making it a good area to swing by if 
you’re looking for tables

o    Appaloosa Grill (http://appaloosagrill.com/) - Nearby on 16th St Mall – American fare with a Colorado slant – you 
can pick up a Bison steak or Elk burger if you’d like.

o    Paramount Café (http://www.paramountcafe.com/) - Burger and sandwich focus

o    Marlowe’s (http://www.marlowesdenver.com/) - Steakhouse, but only open for dinner on Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon

o    Bayou Bob’s (http://www.bayoubobs.com/) - Cajun and southern

·         Guard and Grace (https://guardandgrace.com/) – High end steakhouse just across the street.  I haven’t been 
there myself, but I’ve heard excellent things.  Be sure to get a reservation.

·         5280 Burger Bar (http://www.5280burgerbar.com/) - 16th and Glenarm in the Pavillions shopping center lower 
floor.

·         Yard House (http://www.yardhouse.com/) - regional chain with the largest set of beer taps in the area if you 
want a variety of beers with your meal.

·         Yatai sushi food cart (http://www.yataifoodcart.com/) - It’s only at lunchtime, but one of Denver’s most 
popular food carts is right across the street.  The line can get 20+ people deep, but it moves quickly.

Beer lovers - Colorado is home to a great many local breweries. Many local restaurants have local beers on tap or in 
bottles. Not many have their own locations downtown, so a restaurant might be best for sampling.  If you want it 
direct, you can visit:

  *   Wynkoop - http://www.wynkoop.com/  - Their own beer, food, billards.  Ten blocks straight down 18th St from the 
hotel.
  *   FreshCraft - https://freshcraft.com<https://freshcraft.com/>
  *   Falling Rock Tap House - http://fallingrocktaphouse.com/
  *   Yard House - http://www.yardhouse.com/

Late night fun –

  *   1up - http://www.the-1up.com<http://www.the-1up.com/> - Near Coors Field - Vintage arcade games, pinball, etc 
open until 2am

Coffee – There are multiple places within two blocks if you want something special for coffee:

·         Fluid Coffee Bar – on Stout next to Magnolia hotel.  This is a true local place – their other location it 
right next to our office building and is very popular with our staff.   Opens at 6:30am

·         Ink! – Colorado coffee chain at 17th and Welton. Opens at 6:30am

·         Starbucks – let’s be real, you’re downtown in a city – it’s hard to find a place to stand without a Starbucks 
in sight.  There’s one across the street from the hotel.

·         Tea Cloud (http://www.theteacloud.com)<http://www.theteacloud.com/)> – a teahouse a couple of blocks away at 
17th and Champa, but it opens at 9am (boo!)

Brad Judy

Information Security Officer
Office of Information Security
University of Colorado
1800 Grant Street, Suite 300
Denver, CO  80203
Office: (303) 860-4293
Fax: (303) 860-4302
www.cu.edu<http://www.cu.edu/>

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