Like most Western US cities, Denver is reliant on car culture, but Denver's dirty little secret is that it has some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation. The bus system can be confusing and impractical for visitors, and the new light rail train system is primarily designed for transporting suburban commuters into and out of the downtown.

If you're visiting Denver for a convention, or doing business only downtown, there may be no reason to rent a car. Parking and traffic can make cars more hassle than they are convenient. Many hotels provide complimentary car services to transport guests around the downtown area. If you're doing business in any of the outlying business parks, however, a car may be a necessity. I-25, the main north-south highway through Denver, is undergoing a major renovation south of downtown. While the contractor has promised never to close the highway except late at night, you should anticipate delays when driving south.

Denver is not a city where you can hail a cab on the street – you must call a cab company and have one dispatched to your location. Metro Cab (tel: 303 333 3333) and Yellow Cab (tel: 303 777 7777) are two large cab companies. Hotel and restaurant staff and bartenders typically are helpful and will contact a cab service for their guests