by Mark Smiley | Aug 22, 2025 | Main Articles
by Mark Smiley
New Store: The new Ariat Brand Shop is located in Larimer Square in the heart of downtown Denver.
Jeans: The selection of jeans in store in extensive. Photo Credit: Meghan Develyn
Western Wear: The Ariat Brand Shop features Ariat’s well-known performance western wear — boots, apparel, and accessories. Photo Credit: Meghan Develyn
DJ: Brandi Cyrus was the DJ at the grand opening of the new Ariat store in Larimer Square on August 16, 2025. Cyrus is an American actor, singer, fashion blogger, DJ, and co-host of a television series and podcast.
Line Dancing: Belles and Boots, located at 1930 Blake Street in Denver, conducted line dancing classes in Larimer Square during the grand opening of the new Ariat store. Belles & Boots is a high-energy country bar and restaurant with BBQ, line dancing, mechanical bull riding, bottle service, live bands, and a live DJ.
The Ariat Brand Shop, Ariat’s first standalone store in Colorado, opened at 1460 Larimer Street on June 30, nestled in the heart of historic Larimer Square in downtown Denver. The new store aligns with Ariat’s ongoing retail expansion strategy and taps into Denver’s unique intersection of Western culture and urban energy. The 3,945-square-foot space offers Ariat’s full Western lifestyle assortment and immersive services like expert boot fittings and custom hat shaping via its in-store Hat Doctor experience.
The store celebrated its grand opening on August 16, 2025, featuring cold drinks, DJ Brandi Cyrus, line dancing in Larimer Square, custom koozie branding, and free jeans for the first 50 guests. Ariat partnered with Belles and Boots, a local country bar and restaurant for line dancing lessons.
The store features Ariat’s well-known performance western wear — boots, apparel, and accessories. One standout feature of the new Denver store is the custom hat bar (“The Hat Doctor”), where you can craft your own cowboy hat with personalized shapes, trims, bands, and feathers.
Also of note, is the extensive selection of jeans to choose from in store. Ariat is renowned for combining Western heritage with modern performance. Their jeans are made for both rugged work scenarios and everyday wear, often incorporating advanced fabrics like DuraStretch for added comfort and mobility.
Hours of Operation for the Ariat Brand Shop are Monday–Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday–Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.ariat.com.
Photo Credit: Ariat International
by Jessica Hughes | Jul 24, 2025 | Main Articles
by Jessica Hughes
New gathering areas were added to the pedestrian corridor to encourage a social atmosphere.
The 16th Street Mall gets a revamp and rebrand as part of a $175 million project. But as the project nears its completion, will this much-needed makeover resurrect a once “ghost town” in the middle of the Mile High City?
Since roughly 2019, the 16th Street Mall has developed a reputation for crime, high rent prices, and dwindling crowds, becoming a shadow of its former self. What was once a bustling pedestrian promenade lined with packed restaurants and steady foot traffic had turned quiet — abandoned storefronts, growing concerns over safety, and a pandemic-era slowdown left locals and tourists alike steering clear.
Now, the Mile High City is betting big with a $175 million renovation and rebranding project to bring the street back to life. As the extensive renovation project nears completion this fall, the city isn’t just rebuilding a street — it’s rebranding it, hoping to shift perceptions, welcome back businesses, and offer Denverites a public space they can safely enjoy.
The project, which broke ground in April 2022, spans from Market Street to Broadway on 16th Street, with the full project set to complete this fall. The city’s hope is that the reimagined space will show off 16th Street as a hub for live music, outdoor recreation, sports culture, sidewalk sales, and more.
Britt Diehl, Senior Director of External Affairs and Marketing at the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP), says it’s all about creating an experience. “Highlights of the renovations include an installation of new granite pavers in a similar rattlesnake design by renowned architect I.M. Pei to what was previously on the corridor, but with better drainage and greater surface friction to improve pedestrian safety,” says Diehl. “Plus, moving transit lanes to the center of 16th, eliminating the median that runs between the buses on some blocks and creating wider pedestrian walkways and new amenity zones for leisure, commerce, entertainment, and tourism. And expanding the number of trees on 16th from about 150 today to more than 200 at completion with a variety of species offering varying degrees of shade and color throughout the year.”
A beehive climbing structure, between Larimer and Lawrence, is just one of many new additions to 16th Street’s upgrade.
Other improvements meant to foster a sense of community and updated public gathering spaces also include more than 20 new patios installed near 16th Street businesses. Plus, new experiences and family-friendly amenities including the Howdy Trouty — three “climbable” trout, including one donning a western “troutfit!,” a beehive-themed children’s climbing structure, and many other interactive and artful installations.
“These are little moments of joy,” Diehl says — small but meaningful invitations for people to engage, linger, and play.
But 16th Street’s revival isn’t just about its looks. At its core is a full-scale identity reset, which includes a new name. “The Downtown Denver Partnership, in partnership with the City & County of Denver and the 16th Street Mall project team, announced last summer the appointment of DNCO, a renowned international place branding agency, to lead the repositioning of Denver’s iconic 16th Street Mall,” says Diehl. “The repositioning work introduces a new visual identity to usher the space into its next chapter. Part of the work to positively rebrand 16th Street involved creating a new message and visual identity to highlight 16th Street’s distinct sense of place.”
In a deliberate departure from its original “mall” branding when it opened in 1982, the city has now dropped the antiquated term and is now simply 16th Street or what Diehl says is now “The Denver Way.”
“With the concept, ‘The Denver Way,’ it’s about experiencing what our city has to offer and embracing openness, originality, and uniqueness,” says Diehl. “This repositioning work — from the mark honoring street signs and downtown murals to a color palette inspired by Colorado’s natural landscape, to icons illustrated by local artist YAMZ (Brayan Montes) — has been crafted to capture our city’s spirit and provide everyone a platform to experience this world-class public space, The Denver Way.” In the immediate term, windows of vacant retail spaces have come alive with three-dimensional installations inspired by “The Denver Way” designed by local creative agency Cultivator.
Yet even as new life returns to the corridor, it’s still easy to find empty offices and storefronts along the street as a result of increased rent prices, crime, and business closures during construction and the pandemic. Restaurateur Lon Symensma, chef and owner of ChoLon Restaurant Concepts, closed two of his restaurants along the street, including the short-lived Bistro LeRoux and most recently YumCha, which later reopened as the YumCha Beer Garden in Central Park. While other businesses, like Trompeau Bakery, whose second location on 16th Street struggled, hung on, and remain open for business. To help, Deihl says the Downtown Denver Partnership and Denver Economic Development (DEDO) have been co-leading a retail recruitment strategy to fill ground-floor vacancies, an effort that will continue in years to come.
But none of this really matters if these changes don’t translate to a safer street. So, in April this year Mayor Mike Johnston announced a new downtown safety plan. In conjunction with the DDP, the plan involves a newly formed 10-officer unit for downtown and a kiosk at the corner of 16th and Arapahoe Streets for Denver Police officers.
Will all these changes make a difference? Only time will tell.
Work on 10 of its 13 blocks has been completed, with plans to complete the remaining blocks this fall. And with nearly $2 million from the Denver City Council, the DDP will open additional play areas, fund public art, and schedule musical acts. And for the remainder of the summer, the Downtown Denver Partnership has planned 90+ days of activities and events along 16th Street that include live music, vendor markets, and hosting the Skyline Beer Garden at 16th and Arapahoe this summer and will continue to bring art, music, and other “surprises and delights” to the space year-round.
Crime Challenge
The corridor, of course, became known for public drug use, homelessness, and at times violence. Police now focus on keeping the street safe by using a 10-member team of bicycle and horse-mounted officers. They now parole the strip between 14th and 18th street, from Union Station to Broadway.
Stabbing along the strip in January — prior to reopening of 16th Street — made city officials and the Denver Partnership uneasy. Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas and Mayor Mike Johnston said they were committed to increasing the number of police patrols and police presence. Thomas said more officers were being added to the department’s District 6. He suggested the department had also added additional uncommitted resources that would be used to “provide an extra layer of safety.”
Between 2020 and 2024 the strip saw 464 aggravated assaults, five murders, and 203 robbery reports. Violent property and drug crimes on 16th Street, however, dipped in 2024, according to police records. Furthermore, it was the lowest number of property crimes in the last 10 years. For the balance of this year and into 2026, the best crime will be the crime that was prevented.
by Mark Smiley | Jul 24, 2025 | Main Articles
Glendale Brewery Wins 3 Gold Medals, 1 Silver Medal And 1 Bronze Medal
by Mark Smiley
The Bull & Bush Brewery has been named the 2025 Grand National Champion at the U.S. Open Beer Championship.
The Bull & Bush Brewery, a Glendale landmark since 1971, has been named the 2025 Grand National Champion, taking home 3 gold medals, 1 silver medal, 1 bronze medal, and Brewery of the Year (1,001-2,000 Barrels), at this year’s prestigious national beer competition.
Gold medals were awarded to the brewery’s standout creations:
- Royal Oil
- Pimp My Rye
- Nappy Nap Time
Two additional medals further cemented Bull & Bush Brewery’s reputation as one of America’s top craft breweries:
- Hucklesherry Hounds (Silver)
- Ghoul Fuel: Rum Diaries Edition (Bronze)
“This is an incredible honor for our team and a reflection of the passion we put into every pint,” said Erik Peterson, Minister of Progress at Bull & Bush Brewery. “Our mission has always been to create beers that are as memorable as the moments our guests share in our pub. Winning the Grand National Champion title reinforces our commitment to quality and innovation.”
Head Brewer Gabe Moline added:
“We love making beer and spreading cheer. Winning awards is the extra foam on top of a pint of beer. We’re lucky to do what we love every day.”
Founded in 1971, Bull & Bush Brewery is more than a brewery — it’s a family-owned English-style pub that has become a beloved part of Denver’s cultural fabric. Known for its award-winning, hand-crafted beers, Bull & Bush Brewery also offers a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that has drawn generations of locals and visitors alike.
by Heather Brecl | Jul 24, 2025 | Main Articles
by Heather Brecl
A growing group of residents in Cherry Creek North (CCN) is voicing strong opposition to a proposed General Improvement District (GID) that would impose a new mill levy on local homeowners. While the initiative is framed as a way to fund neighborhood enhancements, many residents argue it lacks transparency, introduces unnecessary financial risks, and does not reflect their needs or desires.
City’s Perspective vs. Community Reality
According to Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer — who represents Denver’s District 5, which includes Cherry Creek North:
“It is entirely up to the community if they would like to create a GID and, if so, what the cost structure of the GID would be, what the governance structure would look like, and what investments they would like to fund and implement.
A GID was first contemplated in the 2012 Cherry Creek Area Plan, which is a document born out of several years of community conversation. Over the past two years, Cherry Creek residents have expressed a desire for things that the City will not fund — such as security patrols, pedestrian-scale lighting, a neighborhood transit circulator, and beautification features. A GID is the best tool to achieve those goals, but only if residents want it. The Council Office is simply facilitating the conversation.”
However, many CCN homeowners say these statements do not reflect their experience with the process. Instead of inclusive, transparent community dialogue, they describe a rollout that has felt top-down, vague, and rushed.
Flawed Outreach And A Lack Of Transparency
The GID initiative first came to light for many residents through a postcard survey — one that numerous neighbors have described as deeply flawed. While the survey asked about preferences for amenities, it failed to clearly disclose that all improvements would be funded through a new residential property tax.
“There was no upfront question that said, ‘Do you want a permanent tax to pay for these things?’” said homeowner Dana Busch, one of more than 100 CCN residents voicing concerns. “It felt more like a marketing exercise than an effort to genuinely understand the community.”
The survey was also not restricted to verified voters or property owners within the proposed GID boundaries. It could be taken multiple times and shared broadly, with no identity verification. Councilmember Sawyer’s office promoted it via her District 5 platform — even though her district extends far beyond the proposed GID footprint. This has raised questions about the integrity of the data collected and who the survey responses actually represent.
Inclusion Without Consent
Residents were particularly surprised to learn that Cherry Creek North’s residential core — bounded roughly by University Boulevard to Colorado Boulevard, 6th Avenue to 1st Avenue, and between Adams and Steele from 3rd to 6th — was included in the GID proposal without prior input or notification. Many feel blindsided by the initiative and argue that the commercial and residential zones are fundamentally different in both needs and character.
“We were never asked if we wanted to be part of this,” said Busch. “Now we’re being told we may be taxed to support projects that don’t directly benefit our neighborhood.”
Opponents are also concerned that, under current rules, the GID could be approved by voters who don’t live in the residential blocks most affected. There was no verification system in the survey to confirm that respondents had a legal stake in the outcome, further eroding trust in the process.
Unclear Use Of Funds
Residents have repeatedly asked for clarity: What specific projects would be funded? What would the cost be per household? How would spending be allocated across zones? So far, there have been no detailed answers. Instead, responses have suggested that details would be worked out after the GID is formed.
“The answer we’re hearing is basically, ‘Pass it first, then we’ll figure it out,’” said one neighbor. “That’s not how responsible planning works.”
There’s also concern that the GID could be used to issue bonds or take on long-term debt. Given Denver’s current financial challenges, some residents believe this may be a workaround to shift infrastructure costs onto neighborhoods without broader public oversight.
Neighborhood Board Concerns And Leadership Conflict
Why should long-established Cherry Creek North be taxed to support major developments like Cherry Creek West? Residents say: It’s not our responsibility and propose being excluded from the GID.
Efforts to raise concerns at the neighborhood level have also proven difficult. Residents say their requests for public forums have been declined or redirected to websites and Facebook pages. This limited access to real-time dialogue has left many feeling excluded from decisions that could impact their property taxes for decades.
Some residents have also pointed to potential conflicts of interest involving two members of the neighborhood association board — both of whom sit on the GID steering committee. In a recent meeting, one committee member reportedly acknowledged the limitations of the survey, noting it might not yield meaningful insights. Despite this, the process appears to be moving forward without pause.
Mismatch Between Neighborhood Needs And GID Goals
Well-established, well-loved, and well-maintained — Cherry Creek North residents are pushing back against a GID they didn’t ask for and don’t need.
Residents of CCN stress that their low-density, residential neighborhood is not comparable to the high-density, mixed-use commercial zones elsewhere in the GID boundary. Most say they do not require major capital improvements and could handle smaller projects — like sidewalk repairs, lighting upgrades, or landscaping — through existing mechanisms.
Wayne New, former Denver City Councilmember and past president of the Cherry Creek North Homeowners’ Association, shares these concerns:
Imagine voting to raise someone else’s taxes — with no responsibility to pay them. That’s the concern CCN homeowners have with the proposed GID process. Under current rules, renters — who won’t pay the tax — can still vote on it. Homeowners are asking for a more equitable and transparent system.
“Without additional communication with all of our residents, this GID will not understand and represent the improvements needed in our neighborhood. To many the mandatory tax increase funding by residents will be pushed forward without clear communication. In addition, the life of the GID may extend for 10 or more years, creating mandatory additional tax revenue without indicating how the funds would be used. Residents paying for services that were previously funded by our City tax dollars is a major concern.”
Preliminary financial reviews suggest that residential tax contributions would significantly outpace any direct benefits returned to the neighborhood. Many believe their dollars would be used to subsidize larger commercial or infrastructure investments elsewhere in the district.
New development, vague plans, and a tax bill for homeowners. The City’s GID proposal raises more questions than answers — especially about where the money goes and who it really helps.
“We’re not against investing in our neighborhood,” added Busch. “We’re just against doing it through a process that lacks clarity and fairness.”
What Residents Are Asking For
The opposition group is not against improvement — but they are asking for a better process. Their main request is simple: remove the Cherry Creek North residential neighborhood from the proposed GID.
“We want to see thoughtful enhancements in our neighborhood too,” said Busch. “But not through a process where our voices are diluted, our questions are unanswered, and the financial implications are uncertain.”
To stay informed, share concerns, and coordinate local outreach, residents have launched StopTheGIDinCCN.com. The site includes resources, updates, public records, and ways for neighbors to get involved in shaping the future of their community
by Mark Smiley | Jun 20, 2025 | Main Articles
Artists Stop Through Glendale To Promote The Show
by Mark Smiley
Cirque In Glendale: Henrik Veres (right) and Eddie John Browne visited Glendale’s Infinity Park to promote the upcoming Cirque du Solei show, ECHO. They had fun with a rugby ball on the field and enjoyed learning more about the Village during their visit.
Cirque du Soleil returns to Denver with its latest show, ECHO, a story of connection, intention, and the symbiotic unions between humans and the animal kingdom. The show will be under the big top in the parking lot of Ball Arena from July 12 to August 17, 2025.
Fueled by the power of change, the hope of the youth, and the value of empathy, ECHO follows an inquisitive young woman named FUTURE as she wanders into a fantasy world that explores our sacred bond with animals and nature. When FUTURE and her best friend, the DOG, encounter a mysterious CUBE, they quickly learn how their actions have the power to shape this world, and if we come together, we can rebuild our planet to create the world we all want to live in.
Henrik Veres is a 6th generation circus performer from Hungary. He is performing the role of EWAI the aforementioned Dog in the show and has been with Cirque for seven years. This role is different for Veres as much of the show, he wears a mask. “Throughout this whole show having, my face covered with the mask, I really had to learn different ways of communicating, with the audience and communicating my emotions,” said Veres. “When I pull the mask off and reveal my face is when I feel like I can really just go full out and do what I’m the best at, my juggling number.”
Veres started juggling at the age of 12, and performed his very first show at age 14. He was been
honing his craft and working in circus arts ever since, performing previously with Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL and Cirque du Soleil at Sea. Over the past 15 years, he has performed in over 5,000 shows across the world. A seasoned circus performer, Veres joined ECHO a few months ago, as a juggling act and one of two artists, a principal role on the show.
Eddie John Browne’s path to the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil bega
n in Sierra Leone, where he grew up and discovered a passion for movement and performance. Eddie was honing his flexibility and control from a young age.
Specializing in dislocation and contortion, Browne masters the art of bending and twisting the human body in extraordinary ways. These disciplines require not only physical prowess but also immense dedication and resilience.
Cirque du Soleil’s 20th Big Top show brings bold new visuals and a unique aesthetic on tour. Packed with vibrant characters, inspiring music, astounding lights and projections, and never-before-seen acrobatic feats, ECHO invites audiences on a journey through a universe of color, wonder, and infinite possibilities.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/echo.
by Jessica Hughes | Jun 20, 2025 | Main Articles
Will It Be Worth It?
by Jessica Hughes
Unique Business Corridor: Colfax Avenue is known for its various small businesses such as the Bluebird Theater. Some wonder how many such businesses will be able to survive the disruption of the many months of renovation of much less a street with the number of automotive lanes cut in half.
Bird’s Eye View: Looking west down Colfax Avenue from Adams Street.
One of Denver’s most historic streets gets a modern facelift that threatens the very businesses that make it so special. The construction for the East Colfax Rapid Bus Transit project has recently claimed the lives of several local businesses in the last few months including Middleman, a neighborhood gem that also operates the James Beard Award-nominated Misfit Snack Bar — closed last month.
This is just one of many stories people have shared in response to the BRT project. The nearly 10-mile project, which only began in October 2024, is already causing local businesses to struggle, some even closing. As disruptions continue, many business owners are left questioning how they’ll survive through the project’s projected completion in 2027. And if they do survive, will the reconfigured Colfax help the street boom or destroy it as a business district?
The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems — a train-like system that offers fast and reliable transportation without the high cost of building a rail system — have become popular solutions to public transportation in larger cities. But at what cost? There might be an easier flow of traffic, but for some local business owners, they don’t see the long-term benefit. Like Libby Anglin, owner of Base6Fitness at 3805 E Colfax Ave., who says since COVID, she’s seen a constant stream of construction along Colfax and thinks the BRT project won’t be worth it in the end for local businesses. “The constant construction over the last four years on Colfax has been an unmitigated drag on our business. In the end I hope I am wrong, but I do not see how it will be good for the city or worth it for businesses or residents.”
Over the past several decades, Denver has steadily worked to change Colfax from a former federal highway into a lively neighborhood main street. As part of this transformation, the city has introduced bike and bus lanes to modernize transportation along the corridor, and now most recently the BRT system. But while these upgrades signal progress, they’re also creating new challenges — particularly for the local businesses that are the heartbeat of Colfax and Denver. “Keeping these businesses alive, keeps the soul of the city alive,” says Don Novak of the Bluebird Business Improvement District.
The biggest issue for business o
Closed For Business: The once popular Pete’s Greektown Café at Filmore and Colfax has been closed down and no new tenant is likely until the Colfax Avenue renovations are fully completed.
wners, Novak says, is people avoiding Colfax because of the construction. “Traffic has been pushed to nearby streets, so there aren’t as many people driving in front of the businesses.” He says the most difficult points are the bus stations in the middle of the street, which construction on these started in 2025. “Some of these businesses are completely covered with no access to their entrance. It looks like a barracked war zone,” says Novak referencing the long-time local businesses such as Tommy’s Thai, PS Lounge, Enzo’s, and Lulu Rose, who currently sit behind a fence.
While the Denver Economic Development & Opportunity department has $15,000 grants available to businesses to keep them open, you have to apply and prove a 20% loss in revenue. But for these businesses, they say it’s often too late at that point. In addition, some businesses claim that $15,000 does not keep them open mo
re than a few more days or one week in total. “In the meetings I have attended, most businesses feel that if they are down 20%, they are already in the red and closing their doors,” says Spero from Hooked on Colfax.
Anglin of Base6Fitness, also points out the city should fully acknowledge the majority of brick-and-mortar businesses depend on ease of access and people being on site. “All brick-and-mortar businesses thrive best with ease of access,” says Anglin. “So perhaps rather than making businesses prove loss of business, perhaps it should just be a given.”
The Colfax construction isn’t the only hardship contributing to hard times for local businesses since COVID. Unfortunately, the planned construction didn’t, and coul
Goosetown Tavern: Successful operations such as Goosetown Tavern at Adams and Colfax have been hurt by the East Colfax renovation. The impact is not as severe since their frontage is not blocked.
dn’t, account for the global issues businesses face today having to adapt to not only local concerns but global concerns as well. “Things are getting increasingly difficult for Mile High businesses in the last few years with minimum wage going up in Denver, but nowhere else in the state, plus with the addition of tariff-talk, when you add in a massive construction project, it doesn’t help,” says Novak. “While we have been talking about this project for over a decade, we unfortunately didn’t plan for things going to shit.”
For Spero, owner of Hooked on Colfax coffee for the past 20 years, the last five years have been the most challenging by far. “All costs have spiked, from property taxes to delivery fees to the cost of coffee beans. We only have front door street access, so the BRT project has made it incredibly difficult to receive product deliveries. And customers who used to park out front and grab a coffee on their way to work can no longer do so because the parking spaces have been removed.”
So, local neighborhood associations and committees are stepping up to help local businesses weather the storm. The Bluebird Business Improvement District — a community organization funded by taxes from those in the district — works to support the businesses and aesthetic of the nine-block area between St. Paul Street and Colorado Blvd., especially during times like these. “We represent and offer overarching support for business owners and neighbors in the Bluebird District,” says Novak. “We are to work with the city of Denver and the BRT project to help businesses thrive, especially during times like these.”
Colfax BRT: East Colfax Avenue from Union Station to 1-225, is undergoing ten miles of major renovation featuring a Bus Rapid Transit Corridor which replaces two automotive lanes with bus lanes. There will no longer be on street parking along Colfax. While it will assuredly increase bus ridership, some believe it will destroy the businesses along Colfax Avenue, it is purportedly designed to help.
One of which was an effort to provide a temporary parking solution by working with the owners of the parking lot at the corner of Colfax and Adams Street — previously occupied by Paradise Cleaners, where they have “paved Paradise to put up a parking lot.”
“We see non-monetary support options from both the city and the local Bluebird Business Improvement District,” says Patrick Brown of Twist and Shout Records. “Internal solutions are being implemented with local businesses, like Paradise Cleaners at the corner of Adams and Colfax, that the BID is providing, opening up its parking lot for all customers along Colfax.”
Regardless of these temporary band-aids, are they enough to weather the storm? “The issue really comes down to businesses renewing their leases, or not,” says Novak. “The result of this project could be amazing, but the survival right now is way more challenging.”
Other business owners who have recently spent a lot of time and money updating and renovating, like Gwen Campbell, owner of the Lost Lake Lounge and Goosetown Tavern, which she just bought in March 2024, are now faced with unexpectedly slow business because of the construction. “We invested a lot into updating the business, putting in a new kitchen, bringing on a new chef, and developing a new menu with BBQ, bar bites, and burgers.”
Famous for its dive bars and historic restaurants, Colfax is home to legacy businesses and a bustling community that prides itself on the number of independent businesses in the area. And so their main concern is keeping the legacy businesses, like the Goosetown Tavern, in place. “These businesses are our culture here in Denver. We are dedicated to keeping these legacy businesses in place,” says Novak.
“The Bluebird District on East Colfax is special, it’s known for live music, local art, quirky shops, diverse restaurants, unique bars, and a counterculture vibe,” says Campbell. “This has evolved to where it is today over time. If businesses don’t make it, it will take at least a generation to revive.” Despite what feels like an agonizingly slow death, Novak reiterates that the goal is to have construction complete within 18 months from now. So, the trade-off: two years of construction that threatens to wipe out the culture of a neighborhood that would take a generation to revive.
“I am hopeful that once the project is completed, it will improve the aesthetics on Colfax and business will get back to normal,” said Campbell. “I truly hope when this is completed, there will be solutions for parking because p
No Parking: Various retail businesses along Colfax have been cordoned off from their customers.arking is critical for retail shops, hair salons, and food & beverage.” Unfortunately, the Johnson Administration is not inclined to promote parking. In fact, it is inclined to do the opposite.
If small businesses close, who comes in their place? Of course, it’s always the fear of big box chains and restaurants — the ultimate death and destruction of any local community. “What has always made Colfax is the unique nature of the businesses along the street,” says Brown. “Chain stores and restaurants erase the local character of their cities into a homogeneous sameness, and Colfax has a long-standing tradition of having locally owned small businesses as the dominant flavor.” “It’s been proven time and again that small businesses have a greater positive net impact on their communities and Colfax is evidence of that — from hiring locally, to keeping tax dollars in the community, to diversifying the neighborhoods, to reacting to community needs.”
One thing all these business owners agree on is that Colfax is the heartbeat of Denver. Colfax is as central to our city’s transportation as it is to our memories as Denverites, whether it’s catching a show at the Bluebird Theatre, getting a free rose at the PS Lounge, or grabbing a bite at Goosetown Tavern, everyone in the city has a story about Colfax.
“Colfax deserves a glow up,” says Spero. “I am excited for the curbs to be repaired and the potholes to be filled. Added trees will be lovely. I suppose only time will tell if the new bus stops will be beneficial and encourage more people to ride the 15.”
Campbell, like many other business owners, wants to remind people Colfax is still open. “Once a month, try a new restaurant or tavern on East Colfax, go see a concert, grab a drink at one of the quirky, cozy bars.” Plus, a chance to show your support in September with the Bluebird Bodega, a big music and food showcase to support the area businesses along Colfax.
