Hyatt was brought into the deal by Denver developer Bruce Berger, who owns a full block across the street from the $268 million expansion of the Colorado Convention Center. Berger is scheduled to get a $55.3-million subsidy from the Denver Urban Renewal Authority for the hotel.

''I signed a letter on behalf of Hyatt Hotels Corp. setting forth the terms under which Hyatt would be willing to acquire the Berger's land and take over the development of the hotel, and it is determined that in doing so Berger has acted unreasonably,'' Miller wrote.

Miller goes on to say that he has indicated to DURA that Hyatt needs several weeks to perform ''significant project due diligence as we may, under certain circumstances, be in the position of owner, developer and manager versus just manager.''

Also, Hyatt needs the month of April to complete definitive documentation regarding the ''back up'' agreement with the Bergers and final negotiations with DURA.

But Miller says he needs to know that Mayor Wellington Webb supports a 45-day extension of the Berger contract, which expires at the end of March.

One person solidly in Hyatt's corner is Tracy Huggins, executive director of DURA.

Huggins says the deal for a hotel is stronger than it has ever been with the possible new roles Hyatt would play.