Exhibitor guide · Downtown Denver, Colorado
Colorado Convention Center: the exhibitor's guide
577,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space guarded by a 40-foot blue bear, a labor rule measured in minutes rather than square footage, and a state where union security clauses need a second employee vote to take effect. What exhibitors need to know before, during and after a Denver show.
CCC · 700 14th StHero photo: "The Colorado Convention Center, Denver" by Robert Cutts, CC BY-SA 2.0, share-alike, via Flickr. Source
Why this page exists
Colorado's labor rule is unusual among the states in this guide: full-time employees of an exhibiting company can install and dismantle their own display if the work takes less than sixty minutes and doesn't use mechanized tools, a time-based threshold rather than the square-footage rules seen elsewhere. That flexibility traces back to the Colorado Labor Peace Act, which requires two separate employee elections and 75 percent approval before a union security clause takes effect, a genuinely unique middle ground between right-to-work and union-shop states. This guide covers the halls, the 60-minute rule, drayage, the shows that fill the calendar, hotels downtown, and the story behind the 40-foot blue bear peering through the building's glass facade.
The building
The exhibit halls
| Space | What it is | Typical shows | Booth planning note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibit halls A–F | 577,000 sq ft, all on one level, combinable in a variety of configurations. | Large national trade shows | Confirm current hall assignment; the floor spans multiple city blocks. |
| Ballrooms and amphitheater | Added in the 2004 expansion, including two ballrooms and an indoor amphitheater. | General sessions, galas | Distinct rigging points from the exhibit halls. |
| Meeting rooms | Numerous rooms added across the 2004 expansion. | Breakouts, association meetings | Hand-carry and tabletop formats. |
Figures from Visit Denver's published Colorado Convention Center overview.
The labor map
Who sets up my booth?
The Denver Theatrical Stage Employees Union, IATSE Local No. 7, handles audiovisual, display, decorating, drayage, rigging and any material handling that requires equipment like dollies or forklifts. Exhibitors may hand-carry their own materials in and out, and full-time employees of an exhibiting firm may install and dismantle their own display if the work takes less than 60 minutes and uses no mechanized tools.
Under 60 minutes, no mechanized tools
Full-time staff can self-install a simple booth if it's genuinely quick and hand-tool-only. Confirm your show's specific interpretation with the official contractor.
Equipment-assisted material handling
Anything needing a dolly or forklift goes through IATSE Local No. 7 or the show's GSC.
Exhibitor-appointed contractors
Purple files as your EAC for Colorado Convention Center shows.
History
History and the Big Blue Bear
The Colorado Convention Center opens June 23 in downtown Denver.
A major expansion adds several meeting rooms, two ballrooms and an indoor amphitheater, bringing the center closer to its current 2.2 million sq ft footprint.
Artist Lawrence Argent installs "I See What You Mean," a 40-foot, 10,000-pound fiberglass sculpture that everyone calls the Big Blue Bear, peering into the building through the glass facade. The vivid blue color was an accident: Argent received a printout of his more muted original design rendered in blue by mistake, and liked it enough to keep it. It cost $424,400 to build.
Rules of the floor
Rules of the floor
Colorado Labor Peace Act
Union security clauses need two employee elections and 75% approval, a middle ground between right-to-work and union-shop states.
Regional planning rate
Purple's planning estimate is about $160 per hundredweight with a 200 lb minimum.
Denver Fire Department
Covered and multilevel exhibits need plan review; flame-certified fabrics for anything covered.
Center-exclusive services
Electrical, rigging, internet and catering are exclusive to the CCC or its designated providers; the show kit carries the current list.
Empties and the MHA
EMPTY stickers on unpack; MHA before leaving. Purple routes the booth back to storage or on to your next show.
Free tool
Colorado CC drayage estimator
Planning numbers for 2026 and 2027; your show's exhibitor kit has the tariff.
Deadlines
Freight countdown for a CCC show
The calendar
Shows at the CCC
| Show | Next dates | Industry | Attendance | Purple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Garden & Home Show | February 13–21, 2027 | Home, garden, consumer | 80,000+ | Custom exhibits |
| CEDIA Expo Denver | September 1–4, 2026 | Smart home, AV technology | 15,000 | 10×20 rentals |
| AMPP Annual Conference & Expo | April 11–15, 2027 | Coatings, corrosion protection | 6,000 | 10×10 rentals |
Attendance is the organizer's or trade press figure where published; confirm before booking.
Logistics
Hotels, transit, crew logistics
- Airport: Denver International is about 30–40 minutes, one of the largest U.S. airports by land area.
- By transit: the RTD 16th Street Mall shuttle and light rail both stop nearby.
- Connected: the Hyatt Regency Denver links directly to the convention center.
- Crew: Purple coordinates Mountain West crews and regional freight for Denver shows.
| Hotel | Distance | Why exhibitors pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center | Connected | Direct access to the exhibit floor. |
| Downtown Denver hotels | Walking distance | Wide range of price points near the 16th Street Mall. |
| Hotels near Denver International | 30–40-min drive | Fly-in exhibitors on early or late flights. |
Resources
Free resources you can link to
Cite the numbers
One-page cheat sheet
Hall map, the 60-minute rule, docks, deadlines.
Related on purpleexhibits.com: Custom trade show booth design · Trade show booth rentals · Request a quote.
Questions
Colorado Convention Center FAQ
Can I set up my own booth?
Yes, if a full-time employee of your company can do it in under 60 minutes without mechanized tools. Anything needing a dolly, forklift or longer setup goes through IATSE Local No. 7 or the official contractor.
How big is the CCC?
577,000 square feet of contiguous exhibit space across six halls, with 2.2 million square feet total, the 12th largest convention center in the U.S.
How much is drayage?
Purple's planning estimate is about $160 per hundredweight in 2026 and 2027, with a 200-pound minimum.
What is the Big Blue Bear?
"I See What You Mean," a 40-foot, 10,000-pound fiberglass sculpture by Lawrence Argent installed in 2005, visible peering through the convention center's glass facade from the street.
Is Colorado a right-to-work state?
Not exactly. The Colorado Labor Peace Act requires two employee elections and 75% approval before a union security clause takes effect, a distinct middle ground between right-to-work and union-shop states.
Which airport should I use?
Denver International is about 30 to 40 minutes from downtown.
Is there a connected hotel?
Yes, the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center connects directly to the building.
Exhibiting at the Colorado CC?
Send us the show and booth number. You get a labor briefing, a drayage estimate, and a build timeline within two business days.
Venue guides
Every venue we have a guide for
Same standard, every hall: the building, the rules, the tools and the calendar.