Those registering for the COB/TPL 2008 National Conference will be able to participate in a networking activity on Tuesday afternoon, September 30^th. The activity will begin with each person participating in one of four downtown Denver tours selected by that person at time of registration:

1. A tour of Colorado’s capitol building. Those signing up for this tour will actually participate in two tours – a historical tour of the building and a tour of the gold dome. The capitol building has a rich and interesting history. The land for the site was donated by Henry Brown. The building took approximately 22 years to complete at a cost of $3 million. The building is constructed of brass, granite, onyx and marble. The dome on top is covered in gold. The cost to complete a building like this today is impossible to determine but substantial. The building is filled with striking art such as large murals and stained glass windows. The dome tour includes Mr. Brown’s attic, with all its legends. At one time, this building served as the western U.S. Capitol.
1. Limited to the first 60 registrants. The historical tour portion is wheel chair accessible. The dome tour portion requires walking up steep steps and is not wheel chair accessible.
2. http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/cap/first.htm

2. A tour of the Molly Brown House. Step back in time to glimpse the extraordinary life of the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown, Titanic’s most famous survivor whose strength and leadership became known to the world on that fateful voyage. You will visit Molly’s lavish 14-room Victorian mansion which tells the story of one woman’s impact on the world during a tumultuous time. Molly fought for the rights of others including miners, children and animals. She traveled the world to experience the cultures of Africa, Egypt, Japan and India. Molly also ran for the Senate three times before women had the right to vote.
1. Limited to the first 75 registrants. This tour requires walking up several steps and is not wheel chair accessible.
2. http://mollybrown.org/

3. A tour of the United States Mint at Denver. This tour shows you how money is made, how it gets into circulation and the costs of the money.
1. Limited to the first 50 people. The tour is wheel chair accessible. This tour involves a security screening process.
2. http://www.usmint.gov/mint_tours/index.cfm?action=StartReservation

4. A tour of the 16^th Street Mall – Designed 25 years ago by I.M. Pei, the 16^th Street Mall is a mile-long pedestrian promenade lined with outdoor cafes, flower baskets, shops and sites. Free shuttles stop at each block. Mall highlights include the Denver Pavilions, a two-square-block entertainment and retail complex and the Shops at Tabor Center, a two-block-long glass enclosed shopping and entertainment center. Close by is Larimer Square, Denver’s trendiest block, as well as Coors field, home of the MLB Colorado Rockies.
1. Limited to the first 75 people and is wheel chair accessible.
2. http://www.denver.com/16th-street-mall/

After the tours, the entire group will meet at the Colorado History Museum. At the museum, you will have the chance to explore Colorado’s diverse past and present. The fascinating exhibits feature Indian buffalo hunts, mining in the Rocky Mountains and life in early Denver. Detailed dioramas, historic photos, artifacts and much more tell the stories of Colorado through the years. The group will also have a reception and dinner at the Museum and will feature a special speaker, Tim Gard (tentative), who is a Medicaid TPL motivational speaker and comedian.