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Denver limos gearing up for DNC 'circus'

Demand driving companies to get more vehicles

By Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 16, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.

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Limousine companies have mile-high expectations for the Democratic National Convention, an event creating so much demand in a single week that operators have been scrambling to add more drivers or vehicles.

Some vans and stretch limos remain available for hire, but most sedans and sport utility vehicles have been spoken for by partygoers, lobbyists and media types who will descend on the city next weekend.

"This'll be the biggest week the industry has ever had in Colorado," said Gene Cuckenboo, president of the state's limo industry association and owner of Presidential Limo. "It's a three-ring circus."

The last big deal for Denver chauffeurs was the NBA All-Star game in 2005.

"It was a wonderful thing, but it's nothing like the convention," Cuckenboo said.

SUVs in his fleet have been reserved by Denver visitors on both sides of the aisle - from former Republican presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat.

There's been little interest in his company's half-dozen stretch limos. The same goes for other companies, which find few takers these days for the flashy vehicles, which can cost $50 an hour extra to hire for the day.

"I've got all our town cars booked up and all our sedans, said Eddie Tehrani of Executive Transport. "I still have three stretch limos and a party bus available and they're going to have to start taking them because the sedans are all taken."

Tehrani said his company has brought on some cars and drivers from out of town to help out with the additional business. But the drivers have to stay at his house because hotel rooms have become so scarce.

Some companies have rented more cars or have arranged to bring in extras for the event. About 270 companies are licensed to provide limousine service in the state, but only 35 or so have five or more cars.

"There are a lot of limo companies (outside of the metro area) that have called me saying they can help out," said Barbara Curtis, owner of Two Step Limousine and vice president of the Colorado Limousine Association. "But if people bring in cars from out of town, I don't know where the drivers are going to stay."

Many delegates will be transported to and from Denver International Airport by Supershuttle vans under contract with the DNC committee.

But other operators say non-delegates who've procrastinated will likely need to turn to taxis, shuttles or public transportation to get around the city, and even those modes of travel could be overwhelmed.

kelleyj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5068

Comments

  • August 20, 2008

    1:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mayor_Quimby writes:

    It definitely will be a circus. Just look at the clowns that will be here next week.

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