Denver Is Ready to Shine in the Post-COVID Era, New Report Says

Denver, Colorado is entering a new chapter after the COVID-19 pandemic changed life in cities across America. A new report says the city is in a strong position to grow and thrive. The report was written by Richard Florida, a well-known expert who studies how cities work. It was created for the Downtown Denver Partnership, a group focused on improving the heart of the city.

For years, downtown Denver faced serious problems like crime, homelessness, and heavy construction. Many people chose to stay away during that difficult time. But now, foot traffic — the number of people walking around downtown — has made a strong comeback. Kourtny Garrett, the president and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership, said foot traffic has been at 90 percent or above since last fall, every day of the week.

The type of people coming downtown has changed a lot since before the pandemic. Fewer people are going to offices, but more are coming for fun and social activities. Florida said that about 60 to 65 percent of downtown visitors are there to have dinner, work at coffee shops, or meet up with friends and coworkers. Denver's arts scene and popular sports teams help draw these visitors in.

People visiting from other states have noticed the city's good energy. Ruben Chavez from Texas said he loves hearing the music and the sounds of people walking by. He came for a Broncos game and liked Denver so much he stayed the whole weekend. Dean Leichtle from Wisconsin said Denver would be one of the first places he would consider if he ever moved.

One big advantage Denver has is that its sports stadiums are still located in the center of the city. Florida noted that many other cities have moved their stadiums far out into suburbs or distant neighborhoods. Keeping stadiums downtown means fans visit local restaurants, shops, and attractions on game days. This gives Denver a real edge over cities that have pushed their stadiums away.

Empty office buildings and vacant storefronts are still a common sight in parts of downtown Denver. But city leaders say that empty offices do not tell the whole story of how healthy downtown really is. Garrett said it is wrong to judge downtown's economic health based only on office space. Leaders are working on creative plans to reuse those empty buildings and bring more life to the area during business hours.

Experts who study cities are calling this moment a shift from the 'work city to the playground city.' That means city centers are becoming more about culture, fun, and community than traditional office work. Denver, with its strong arts scene, outdoor lifestyle, and beloved sports teams, is seen as a national leader in this change. As Florida put it, Denver has always reinvented itself — and this new era may be its biggest reinvention yet.