The party will go on in Denver, but only after a lot of consultation with lawyers.

Stricter ethics rules have made corporations and lobbyists hosting Democratic National Convention receptions and soirees pause before putting lawmakers on the guest lists.

The Distilled Spirits Council used to organize parties honoring the Senate majority and minority leaders and hand out gift bags.

No longer.

The group still plans a "media event" at the Beta nightclub in LoDo, and elected officials are bound to show up, council spokesman Frank Coleman said. They just will not be the center of attention.

"It absolutely will adhere to the letter of the law," he said.

In the past, railroad company Union Pacific may have singled out an individual legislator to honor. Now the corporation will invite a broader group that includes lawmakers, said Bob Turner, a senior vice president.

"We're erring on the side of being careful," he said.

While companies are "fixated" on the legal issues in 2008, most have proceeded with the events, said Dominick Sekich, a lawyer with Moye White in Denver. He advised clients to call legislators' staffs for guidance.

"They will find a way, within the limits imposed by the law, to engage people of influence, and that's OK," said Sekich, whose firm represents some large companies that are holding events.

Federal legislation in 2007 prohibits members of Congress from going to events in their honor and from accepting gifts, but a number of exceptions allow the schmooze-fests to continue.

Fundraisers and "widely attended" events where at least 25 invitees are not government officials are fair game. Receptions with food and beverages, but not "meals," are OK.

Complicating matters for party planners are a variety of state laws, Sekich said. In Colorado, Amendment 41 bans gifts from lobbyists to elected officials, though the measure has been hard to interpret and implement.

State Rep. Morgan Carroll, D-Aurora, estimated she has received hundreds of invitations and will likely attend some breakfasts and lunches. But she added she will not eat at those affairs. Lawmakers could pay the bill, but often there is no way to do that.

"No one will be at risk of starvation," she quipped.

In some cases, organizations have decided to do nothing at all. Other organizations have avoided running afoul of any rules by holding charitable events.