The Ruby of Crested Butte is far removed from the hoopla surrounding the Democratic National Convention, which will roll into Denver the last week of August with an entourage of 50,000 delegates, journalists and other visitors.

But the bed-and-breakfast located 225 miles from Denver hopes to capitalize on the event all the same, though in a different way than most businesses.

The Ruby is targeting Denverites who want to leave the city during the much-hyped convention, promoting a "Republican Retreat Package." The deal: 10 percent off a three-night stay, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a bundle of John McCain paraphernalia, including bumper stickers, paper masks and his book Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life.

"I was thinking about the convention and how it would affect people in Denver who either wouldn't want to be around the congestion or who are with the other political party," said Andrea Greene, who owns the Ruby with her husband. "So I came up with this idea and tried to make it catchy, tying it around the fact that a ruby is red and the Republicans use red. We've had two bookings for it so far."

While many Denver-area residents want to experience the excitement surrounding the historic event, some plan to avoid it at all costs by holing themselves up at home, taking a trip to the mountains or leaving the state entirely.

It's hard to get a grasp on just how many locals are opting to avoid downtown or travel somewhere else, specifically because of the DNC, but tourism officials have no doubt that it's happening to some degree.

Stay Aspen Snowmass, a central reservations service in Aspen, has received 62 bookings from the Denver area for the DNC week. That compares with 10 during the same period last year.

"We don't tend to ask people why they're coming, but you certainly can speculate that at least part of the increase we're seeing is from people leaving Denver during the DNC," said Tahnee Perry, director of technology and marketing at Stay Aspen Snowmass.

Evan Slack is one of those locals who wants nothing to do with the DNC. The Cherry Creek resident said he plans to spend the early part of the week at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo and then try to stay indoors until the convention is over.

"I'm just concerned with the crowds and the traffic and getting around in general," said Slack, who works from home. "I'm expecting it to be a zoo, and I don't want to be around it."

That's exactly what the city and convention organizers don't want to hear.

During the last DNC four years ago in Boston, many locals stayed away from the downtown area, fearing a logistical nightmare. As a result, a chunk of the expected business for local vendors and companies from the event never materialized.

Officials here have tried to dispel the notion that it'll be difficult to get around downtown, although they have released few specifics about security and road closures. Many restaurants, they stress, still have space available, and government offices and most businesses will remain open during the event.

But that doesn't matter to locals like Karin Conway, a consultant at Bonnie Brae Travel in south Denver.

"I don't want to go downtown with all the confusion," said Conway, who lives in the Denver Tech Center area. "I assume a lot of restaurants will have a line or a waiting list, and there's a lot of unfamiliarity with what's going on with traffic and protesters. There are just too many unknowns."

Those who want to leave can still find some solid deals.

An Internet search by the Rocky found round-trip fares to at least a dozen cities - including Los Angeles, Chicago, Aspen and Portland, Ore. - for $250 or less. Prices were even lower several days ago, with some fares in the high-$100s.

Luxury vacation rental companies such as ResortQuest are offering packages for their mountain properties, while Colorado River Guides will offer reduced rates for half-day rafting trips to customers who mention the DNC or Barack Obama when making a reservation.

At least a dozen hotels and resorts are getting in on the action, too.

The Hot Springs Lodge & Pool in Glenwood Springs has started to market an "Escape the Crowds!" package for the DNC. The special involves a deluxe room from Aug. 24-28 for $158 a night plus tax and includes access to the hot springs pool and continental breakfast each day.

The Sky Hotel in Aspen is marketing an "Escape the DNC" package that includes a 15 percent to 20 percent discount on nightly rates, complimentary valet parking, a $25 gas card and the choice of an elephant or donkey lapel pin. The hotel has received five bookings for the package and "a lot of inquiries," said Alan Cardenas, its director of sales and marketing.

"We feel that there's a significant number of people who want to get out of town when this craziness is going on," Cardenas said, "and we wanted to tap that market."

Here are some deals Last-minute, round-trip fares from Denver for DNC week, including taxes and fees*

Austin

$200, Aug. 27-30 (Southwest)

Portland

$217, Aug. 24-30 (Alaska, Frontier)

Los Angeles

$220, Aug. 24-30 (Frontier)

Las Vegas

$222, Aug. 27-30 (Southwest)

Phoenix

$223, Aug. 22-29 (Frontier)

Nashville

Tenn., $224, Aug. 27-31 (Southwest)

Fort Lauderdale

$238, Aug. 27-31 (Southwest)

Aspen

$229, Aug. 24-28 (Frontier)

Chicago

$239, Aug. 27-31 (Southwest)

Houston

$245, Aug. 24-30 (Frontier/US Airways)

Mountain getaways

* ResortQuest, which offers lodging in Summit Country, is offering 20 percent to 40 percent discounts for stays of between two and four nights at some accommodations in Breckenridge and Keystone.

* The Society of Leisure Enthusiasts, a Lakewood-based company, is offering a $50 gas card and 10 percent off rates for properties in Vail, Beaver Creek, Telluride, Winter Park and other mountain towns during the DNC.

* The Sky Hotel in Aspen is offering a 15 percent to 20 percent discount on nightly rates, complimentary valet parking, a $25 gas card or a $25 Frontier Airlines gift card and either an elephant or donkey lapel pin.

* Lakota River Guides in the Vail area is offering 15 percent off rafting and off-road trips to Denver-area residents during the DNC, while Wilderness Aware Rafting in Buena Vista will give a 20 percent discount to anyone who mentions the DNC.

* The Hot Springs Lodge & Pool in Glenwood Springs is offering a small deluxe room from Aug. 24-28, unlimited access to the hot springs pool and continental breakfasts for $158 a night plus tax.

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