2009 deals: hotels are booking 2010 like crazy but this year still has plenty of availability.$100 million goes a long way: the downtown Sheraton (previously Adam’s Mark) has undergone some incredible changes and many are still to come, including a 6,000 sq. ft. fitness center.

Closures: Sadly, we learned that our dine-around won’t include Alto, a wonderful Larimer Square restaurant that recently shuttered its doors.

It was great to experience old favorites, like the free 16th Street Shuttle and Enstrom’s Almond Toffee, and take up a friend on some recommendations (8 Rivers on Blake Street and a Max Evans at the Celtic, where all the decor – from the stained glass to the street signs – comes from Ireland).

We’ll be back before the event next year so stay tuned for more Denver developments!