Denver needs to make the 2008 Democratic National Convention a communitywide celebration that includes everyone from schoolchildren to artists, making the event a source of civic pride.

That was the message from the organizers of the 2004 Democratic convention in Boston, who came to Denver on Monday to advise their counterparts on what makes for a successful event.

"It's not like any other convention you'll ever have," said Stephen J. Kerrigan, former chief of staff for the Boston 2004 host committee. "The whole world will be watching."

Kerrigan spoke to 150 people involved with the Denver 2008 host committee in a series of meetings at the Colorado Convention Center.

Boston launched a "Celebrate Boston" event July 4 - more than three weeks before the convention opened. That celebration included dozens of concerts, lectures and shows that culminated in a Boston Pops concert the night before the convention opened that drew 100,000 people to the plaza by City Hall.

"There were hundreds of events all over the city," said Kerrigan. "It was a great opportunity to showcase Boston."

The city played off the glitz of big names. Celtics great Bill Russell, Liberty Mutual Group head Edmund Kelly and Boston Pops Director Keith Lockhart were all made honorary chairs of the planning committee. Officials planned a wide range of events that would attract area residents.

A community group, for example, hosted neighborhood tours. WGBH, a public television station in Boston, sponsored a lecture series about the city's history, each one of them held at a local landmark. The Harvard Medical School organized a science program for high school students aimed at getting them interested in medicine.

The public schools were also included in Boston's effort, with students electing delegates and holding their own political convention.

"The mayor wanted to create an opportunity for everyone to participate," said Kerrigan.

Denver has some advantages over Boston, he added. In Boston a busy freeway ran next to the Fleet Center and a commuter rail station was underground. Traffic had to be diverted and the rail line re-routed, creating headaches for many commuters.

"The security and transportation issues (for Denver) will be far less than in Boston," predicted Kerrigan.

The main task of the Denver host committee is to raise $55 million. Mike Dino, CEO of the Denver host committee, said Boston had one key advantage because it hosts many more Fortune 500 companies than Denver. As a result, Denver will have to do more national fundraising.

"We want to raise money from some of the other big cities with a major corporate presence," he said.

Katherine Archuleta, an aide to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, said the city wants to make the convention the "greenest" in history, using renewable energy and recycled products. She said Denver also wants to use the gathering to highlight the Rocky Mountain region, making Colorado's neighbors a part of the event.

A tale of two DNCs

A look at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston and the 2008 convention being planned for Denver:

• $163 million: Economic impact of the 2004 DNC on Boston.

• $55 million: Raised by Boston for the 2004 convention ($46 million in cash; $9 million in "in-kind" contributions).

• $49.5 million: Pledged by Boston fundraisers as part of the city's bid for the 2004 convention.

• $55 million: Pledged by Denver fundraisers as part of the city's bid for the 2008 convention.

• $50 million: Requested from federal sources to cover security costs in Denver.

• $35 million: Federal money spent on security costs in Boston.

• $7.5 million: Must be raised by Denver by June 1.

• 35,000: Visitors expected in Denver for the convention.

• 7,000-10,000: Volunteers needed.

• 9,000: Delegates expected.

• 492: Days left before Denver's convention opens Aug. 25, 2008.Sources: Mike Dino, Ceo Of Denver'S Host Committee; Katherine Archuleta, Senior Policy Analyst To Mayor John Hickenlooper; Stephen Kerrigan, Chie ...

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