And just like that, the holiday season is upon us. While there are some changes to the usual downtown holiday happenings, most everything is the same. Due to construction at Civic Center Park, the Christkindl Market and the Mile High Tree are located on the Auraria Campus through December 23rd. Fortunately, Denver City Council voted to keep the downtown Christmas lights on! The 9NEWS Parade of Lights will be on Saturday, December 6th, at 6:00 p.m., the Holiday Drone Show will be at 7:00 p.m. each night through December 31st , and the New Year’s Eve Fireworks show will be on Wednesday, December 31st at 9:00 and midnight. Unfortunately, we won’t have the skating rink due to the construction at Skyline Park, but it will return in 2027.
Something new this year is Downtown Denver Partnership’s 31-Day Merrython Event Calendar. Each day in December, there is an activity for you to complete. After completion, you submit a participation form and a picture (won’t be shared without permission). If you complete two activities in one week, you are entered into a weekly drawing for a $50 gift card to a Downtown Denver business. If you complete five activities in one week, you get two entries. Examples of the activities are enjoying a cup of coffee at a downtown coffee shop, going to Light Lane, 16th and Tremont, to pedal a futuristic bike with lights and sounds, stroll 16th Street to see the Christmas lights, etc. Learn more and start your Merrython here: https://www.winterindenver.com/merrython And, don’t forget, just by participating you are supporting downtown businesses and activating downtown.
IMPORTANT: ROADS TO RECOVERY TOWN HALL RESCHEDULED
The Roads to Recovery Town Hall has been rescheduled on Tuesday, December 16th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m., in the conference room at Downtown Denver Partnership located at 16th and Arapahoe Streets. I know that this date is close to the holidays, but please make plans to attend this very important meeting. Our panelists include Senator Matthew Ball, CM Sarah Parady, Sterling Simms, our mayoral rep, Erin Atencio and Chris Richardson, Roads to Recovery, and Deputy DA Matthew James who has been assigned to downtown. You will learn about Roads to Recovery’s plans and approaches to help the homeless in downtown, especially those who are suffering with mental health issues and addiction, laws that prevent them from receiving help, Mayor Johnston’s tougher stance on habitual offenders committing quality of life crimes, and the Deputy District Attorney’s focus on those crimes. Food and drinks will be provided. Make sure to save your spot by using this EventBrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/updona-town-hall-safe-and-thriving-downtown-compassion-accountability-tickets-1975240233711?aff=oddtdtcreator
Downtown Area Plan. Recently, I spoke before City Council in support of the Downtown Area Plan. As a member of the Downtown Area Plan Advisory committee, I had the privilege of working on a plan with the purpose of creating a downtown Denver that is revitalized, vibrant, inclusive, and ready for the future. The plans’ commitment to address livability concerns, create parks and green spaces, support local retail, improve walkability and safety, and foster connections, shows an understanding of what it takes to make a neighborhood work. City Council voted unanimously to approve the Plan.
Changes are already happening. Downtown recently had foot traffic hit 91% of 2019 levels and businesses on 16th Street are seeing increases in customers and sales. For example, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at the Pavilions told me that five more employees had to be hired to keep up! Ibotta recently moved into its new space on 16th Street bringing more than 600 employees downtown and German fit tech giant, EGYM, opened a new U.S. Headquarters downtown.
Next year promises to be a transformative year for Upper Downtown with four building conversions underway, improvements to Skyline Park and Civic Center Park, and 32 new businesses opening, half of which are in Upper Downtown. Another huge project is the Pavilions. I will be attending the Downtown Denver Development Authority board meetings to keep you informed of all projects. In addition, UpDoNA will attend meetings regarding the new Broncos stadium at Burnham Yards.
The Season for Giving: As you know, UpDoNA partners with STEP Denver, The Delores Project, and Urban Peak. This holiday season please consider donating to these organizations so you can make the holidays a bit brighter for those in need. Please read Ron Townsend’s UpDoNA Cares article in this newsletter to find out what is needed and how to donate.
Also, remember to support our UpDoNA Business Members throughout the holiday season!
Have a wonderful holiday! I will talk to you again in January 2026!
Lisa L. Pope
President UpDoNA
Thumbnail attribution: Leo Marce
