They will ask if you attended the calls and sent the mailers? 

Did I want to attend the “show” that was sure to ensue?  

I'm in Livonia / Canton area and I haven't attended any Washtenaw County or Ann Arbor REIA events but I do attend the Oakland County REAI meeting in Troy as well as the Michigan REIA meetings in Troy and they are super helpful and if you sign up to get their emails you can check the topics in advance to make sure it's worth the trip for that meeting.They usually have really good speakers. 

I'd like to buy my first home in the Denver area.

Attend meetups and meet as many people in RE as you can.

I'd try to meet with a few local brokers and attend a local meetup group.

Attend meetups and meet as many people in RE as you can.

While I have not attended any meetups recently, there are several groups that do have monthly gatherings.

Or should I raise the price of rent to match the current rate in Denver?

I work for an Airbnb/STR management company out of Denver Colorado.