Union Station vote is tonight, but LoDo is already aglow

The Regional Transportation District Board is scheduled to make a final decision on the redevelopment of Union Station tonight -- choosing between the proposal of the Union Station Neighborhood Co., which already has the contract to oversee the development behind the historic station, and the Union Station Alliance. But another vote is already in: for the winners of LoDo Aglow.

Like Union Station, many of the businesses in the area are decorated for the holidays. Twenty-two of them entered the LoDo Aglow window design contest, and the winners were announced yesterday.

The Oxford Hotel's over-the-top "Carousel Christmas"; Cry Baby Ranch's "Shine a Light"; and Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects "Wreath Series" took top honors.

Special mentions went to Fluff, GQ Barber Lounge, Elixir Mind Body Massage, Rockmount Ranch Wear and John Atencio, my personal pick when I wandered through LoDo on December 11, dodging drunken Bronco fans and judging the LoDo Aglow windows.

Look for photos of the winners on our Show and Tell blog later today. The RTD board meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. today at 1600 Blake Street.

Governor John Hickenlooper's political career got its start in LoDo, when he began the campaign to save the Mile High Stadium name from behind the bar at the Wynkoop Brewing Co. And there are many other things Hickenlooper loves about Colorado; see the governor's bucket list for fifteen things to do in Colorado in 2012 here.