Michigan and Florida delegates may wind up getting seats at the Democratic Convention in Denver.

But they might not get beds.

Amid the two states’ fierce fight with the Democratic Party to get into the convention hall, no one has assigned either state a hotel.

Beyond the joshing, the confusion over whether there are enough rooms left could be an indicator of how serious the players are about actually resolving the conflict.

Michigan had its assigned hotel — the Red Lion Hotel Denver Central — taken away after its primary was deemed to be in violation of party rules. But some Floridians say they believe there’s really a secret stash of rooms somewhere in the shadow of the Rockies. And Michigan’s rooms have never been given to anyone else.

The two Democratic presidential contenders, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.), both agreed not to campaign in Michigan and Florida. Obama took his name off the Michigan ballot. Clinton, who won both primaries, argues that not including their results will disenfranchise voters and hurt Democratic chances of winning the two states in November. Attempts to negotiate a political solution have fallen through, and some of the players have been heading to court.

In addition to the political fallout, the longer it takes to resolve the situation, the bigger the problem is for the delegates from the two states. As a mid-sized city, Denver will fill up quickly and latecomers could wind up with a long commute.

“Right now our focus is on putting on the best possible convention and assisting state delegations as they currently stand and in compliance with [Democratic National Committee] rules,” said Natalie Wyeth, spokeswoman for the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) in Denver.

The DNCC controls the rooms in 100 hotels in downtown Denver, the Denver Tech Center in South Denver and the Old Stapleton airport northwest of the city. About 7,000 rooms will be reserved specifically for delegates, alternates and their guests. Wyeth said every delegate would be within 20 minutes of the convention hall, as it currently stands.

State delegation hotels were announced in November, when Michigan had not yet been found in non-compliance. Florida delegates had already been disqualified.

“We had a hotel. We don’t now,” said Liz Kerr, spokeswoman for the Michigan Democratic Party. Though Michigan had its primary, it hasn’t picked its delegates, so no individual has actually been deprived of rooms.

The hotel room mystery, like most political developments in Florida, has spawned its own conspiracy theories. Some blithely still believe they have rooms. Others say the convention committee has rooms set aside for Florida and Michigan, but won’t tell anyone.

“We’ve heard rumors from credible sources that it will not be a problem, that a block has been set aside and once the problem has been solved they will receive a designation,” Ceasar said. “Like a magic act.”

“Our state chair has spoken with the mayor of Denver, and put out some feelers. People have said they would make it work if we’re seated,” Florida party spokesman Alejandro Miyar said.

Kerr, of the Michigan Democratic Party, is also looking at the situation with humor.

“We certainly haven’t gone out and bought tents and sleeping bags,” she said.

Michigan may have better hopes. Its rooms at the Red Lion Hotel have not yet been reassigned, according to Wyeth at the DNCC. “Still working on it,” she explained Monday.

Bill Kling, a would-be delegate from Plantation, Fla., isn’t as concerned as some. He says he’s going, hotel room or not.

“One way or another we’re going, even if we have to force our way onto the convention floor. We’ll probably sleep on the floor of the convention plaza,” said Kling. But in his case, that might not be necessary. He has grandchildren in Denver he can stay with.

Another would-be delegate, Linda Bird is certain that she’ll have a room in Denver. She doesn’t know where it is, but says she expects to learn about it at a May 17 party update.

“We’re going to go no matter what,” Bird said.

Despite the attempts at humor, the scenario is starting to wear on people.

“It’s reached the point that whenever I go into a setting, even a non-political setting, people scream at me,” said Ceasar, who is also a member of the Democratic National Committee. “Total strangers come up to me screaming, ‘What’s wrong with everybody? Why can’t you figure this out?’ ”

Kling says he’s told Democratic officials they need to get all interested parties in a room and keep them there until they find a solution to the delegate situation.

“This whole thing is ridiculous,” he said. “If we can’t straighten this out, it’s going to be dangerous for the party in the fall.”