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DENVER — With bags packed and home flights secured, the Maryland delegation leaves the Mile High City after four days of the Democratic National Convention.

Representing the state were 100 elected and appointed delegates participating in a range of caucus meetings and nightly convention events, and casting votes for the Democratic nominees.

Coordinating the delegation's activities was the Maryland Democratic Party, which juggled delegation breakfasts, receptions, parties, transportation and credentials for the group. How much did it all cost?

Between $600,000 and $700,000, estimated David Paulson, state party communications director.

The most expensive item: transportation. Fortunately, much of the transportation — including shuttles to delegation events — was sponsored by the Baltimore Orioles and the team's owner, Peter G. Angelos. Also contributing to the overall costs were local companies, such as Dominion Power, Constellation Energy Group, Pepco, Lockheed Martin and Comcast.

Several union organizations and elected officials also sponsored the delegation, many putting advertisements in the party's convention souvenir booklet. Among the pages were ads from state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (Dist. 27) of Chesapeake Beach, Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. and Baltimore delegates Barbara Robinson (Dist. 40) and Sandy Rosenberg (Dist. 41).

Party officials hosting morning breakfasts and nightly receptions were responsible for funding their own events, including securing sponsors to offset the costs.

Delegates paid their own travel and housing expenses, as did the more than 400 guests of the party joining the group. Like the delegates, each guest was responsible for paying for his own transportation to the convention and housing. Guests also paid an extra $150 to participate in delegation events, such as the morning breakfasts and nightly receptions.