There are a few basic things every visitor to Denver should know. The city runs differently than most others, and can be confusing for those new to the area. That's not to say the locals are any less confused, of course.

Transportation

Denver boasts a large network of streetcar rails spanning the entire downtown area and out into the many suburbs surrounding the city's core. For 5 cents a ride, you can quickly get to every major part of Denver.

The cars hold around 20 passengers and are pulled along the tracks by horses or mules. Since the road's condition isn't a factor, the ride is much more comfortable than by wagon, and the slow, steady pace allows those new to the city to take in its sights with ease. There aren't enough cars to match the demand, so catching one with room can be iffy.

Some of the slack is taken up by enterprising taxi drivers. Although the prices are higher (about 10 cents a mile) and the ride relatively uncomfortable, the privacy and versatility of the cabs often make up for it. Rather than having to walk a block after debarking from a streetcar, a taxi cab can take you right up to the front door of your destination.

Trains, though not useful for travel inside Denver, are still the major way in and out of the city. Prices vary depending on the season demand, and other factors, but remain competitive with prices elsewhere.

At almost any time, there's a train traveling to Denver (directly or indirectly) from almost every major Eastern city. The Denver Pacific train depot has been forced to expand in the last couple years, and it now supports a daily ftow of between 5 and 20 trains. During the winter, the traffic reaches its low point, often coming to a dead halt following a large snowstorm. As spring and summer arrive, the traffic builds up again, and by June there to barely a stop in the flow of traffic in and out of the city.

Of course, there's always the stagecoach. A couple different companies, plus a dozen or so smaller operations, still provide service to many Rocky Mountain locations, as well as to cities farther West and outside of train service for around 10 cents a mile.

During Denver's warmer months, the streets are filled to bursting with people, and the congestion caused makes travel by foot, horse, and wagon slow and tedious. The streetcars don't have the problem, as people have come to respect their tenacity in keeping to their schedules (they'd rather run you over than stop), and Denver's many taxis tend to pay about as much attention to people in their way as do cattle in a stampede.

The Economy

Even though Colorado is technically a Union state, its disputed status has forced it to act as an independent nation. Although the government officially endorses the use of Union dollars only businesses have made it standard practice to take almost any form of payment. If you're short on funds, some places still barter for goods or services.

Denver relies heavily on imports, which is problemaric considering the war takes away many of the sources the city thrives on. Businesses are forced to purchase their inventory largely from independent companies which don't always have everything needed. Private ventures (small-time merchants, thieves, etc.) comprise the bulk of these, along with wholesale distributors with extra stock they need ro get rid of. Deliveries are sporadic, and in many cases it's just a matter of luck that a store can restock its inventory before it runs out.

In other words, Denver is always in need of something.

Thanks to this, shopping in Denver is long, tedious, and often unproductive. Basic goods, such as food and clothing, normally are no problem, but finding much of anything beyond that is like going on a treasure hunt. Once you manage to find a store that actually has what you're looking for, you may find that the price is dirt-cheap -- or ten times more than you expected!

Businesses are prepared to lose customers to a competing establishment at any moment, so prices depend on many different factors. If one store is the only to have whiskey on a particular day, you can bet that they're charging an arm and a leg for it. Similarly, if a large shipment of hats just arrived in town, most every business tries to undersell the competition, while a few smart ones hoard some to sell at a higher price once everyone else has sold out.

The Government

Being newly admitted to the Union, Colorado's state government is still changing over from its territorial roots and is mostly ineffective in local issues. The Colorado government had about as much power as a kid with a cap-gun before statehood, and the restructuring going on in '76 has reduced that to virtually nothing.

In theory, the state government is in control of the city, but in effect it does little. Without much help from federal sources, the Denver government has taken on the burden of running the city all by itself.

The cogs of the city government are greased with bribes, treachery, and a good amount of spilled blood. Everyone in office is looking out for his own good and little else, and the rest are just trying to keep their jobs as their bosses are replaced by more ambitious and bloodthirsty men. Local business tycoons, criminal elements, and the ever-present Denver Pacific are the real powers behind the government, keeping it alive so long as they can keep raking in the cash. Public utilities not privately owned -- most of them are--are kept in working order. Beyond that, the government is little more than a shadow.

The city was built on self-reliance, and the citizens hardly seem to notice the chaos in which they live. Though Denver is one of the largest cities in the West, it still works on a small-town mentaliq in which the people are the government.

As for an official government building, none currently exists. Meetings are held in various hotels and halls around town, often in secret to keep any "unwanted events" from occurring. There have been multiple town halls in the past, but each has been abandoned for one reason or another. Money is always being raised to build a permanent structure, but budget cutbacks and red tape keep it littk more than a dream.

The Law

As the city grew frantically following the ghost rock rush and coming of the rails, the Denver City Police Department was created. The name impressed people, but it didn't change the fact that it was the same sheriff and deputies that had been doing their best to keep the peace -- and failing. Marshal Mccallin was named Chief of Police, and everything went on as it had before: not very well.

In 1874, there were 13 people on the police force, and as of' '76 there's fewer. Law enforcement isn't a career Denverites aspire to, so most men in blue are from out of town. They're often only around long enough to get the cash for a train ticket out. Those that stay tend to be as crooked as the city politicians, and those still true to the badge don't seem to live long.

The Pinkerton Detective Agency set up shop in Denver in '71, and has since grown to be one of the largest branches in the West with a standing staff of at least ten detectives and dozens of secretaries. It serves as a staging point for detectives heading back and forth across the country. Although some corruption has found its way into the Agency, the Pinkertons are still as effective in Denver as they are everywhere else. In most cases it's a much better idea to give them a call than to waste your time with the police.

Along with the Pinkertons, the Union government sent a handful of US Marshals to Denver to help keep the peace. Over the years, the numbers have grown, and there are between five and ten Marshals in the city at any time.

Rather than waste their time trying to keep the city in order, the Marshals do their best to keep the Rebs out of Denver. Whether this be by checking out a train's cargo or interrogating a suspected spy, the Marshals always seem to be on the trail of something big. Naturally this brings them into conflict with just about everyone you can imagine, making them one of the least-liked groups in the city.

Things to Do

For those looking to make a little cash, Denver has more than its share of of opportunities, especially if you don't mbnd getting your hands dirty. There's always something that needs done and seldom enough people to get it done. Even you're not in town on business, there's always a chance that it'll come looking for you.

One of the largest job markets in Denver is the railroad. The Denver Pacific can always use some help in one department or an other and generally hires on most anyone showing an interest. Gunfighters and those with "talents" are high demand as security guards. The train station is often the site of shoot-outs, and bandits and barons often make attacks on the trains themselves. Beyond that, some higher-raning officials in the company often need protection, providing work for those more discreet in choosing their jobs.

If "hazard pay" isn't in your job description, there's always work to be found in the trainyard or laying tracks outside of town. Not to say that these jobs don't have dangers, but it's much safer than making your money with your gun. Denver Pacific is constantly expanding its web of tracks into the surrounding area, so they need for laborers. The work is fairly safe -- they've gotten into the habit of assigning escorts to all major operations outside of town but very strenuous, and injuries are common. Work in the yard is easier, as it mostly involves loading freight cargo from cars, but workers do get hurt.

Although not normally an option for town, there's also a small demand for techies and conductors. The DP is very careful who it hires on for these pasitions, so only someone with great connections (or a decent amount of supernatural power) is going to wrangle one herself. The pay is good, though.

Lawmen, self-appointed or otherwise, are in high demand. Following a quick interview and a small amount of paperwork, most anyone with the desire can get themselves deputized and patrolling the streets. The pay is lousy, there is a good chance you'll get shot, and there's people who won't like you -- but at least it's work. Of course, the "benefits" you can get from some individuals are often pretty good, which is one of the few reasons anyone joins up these days.

The various businesses around town, from stores to saloons to gambling halls, are normally looking to hire on some hands. Most places have at least one guard on duty around the clock and can also use the occasional "unknown" to put a competitor out of business. Saloons and gambling halls need bartenders, dealers, bouncers, and a company shysters, so those with the appropriate abilities can make a nice amount of money this way.

There's also a ton of ways to eam some cash on your own. If you've got a wagon, stagecoach, or other means of speedy transportation, mercenary teamsters are needed to transport goods around the city and beyond. The Holladay Overland Mail & Express Co. hires on teamsters with good reputations, and many other organizations do the same. As stated before, Denver is always in need of supplies, so pretty much any cargo you can get your greasy little hands on can be sold for a profit to the city's stores.

Snake oil salesmen and shysters can make themselves loads of dinero in the Queen City. There's a fool on every corner, and as long as you can keep from getting caught, you've got it made. This isn't a new idea, so these are already quite a few well-established people pulling scams around the city. If you're planning on making a living this way, make sure that you're not cutting in on someone's profits. It's hard to turn a sting while six feet under.

More Denver

Preface
Getting Along in Denver
Places to Go
People to See

Deadlands: Denver Part 1
Deadlands: Denver Part 3