Downtown Denver Awards

Celebrate with Us!

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Downtown Denver doesn't stand still, nor has it been built on a single grand gesture.

It's been built by people who showed up, who believed in a block, a project, a building, a business or a bold idea.

The 2026 Downtown Denver Awards introduces an exciting new format — two venues, two experiences, one unforgettable celebration of the people and projects shaping the future of Downtown Denver.

Awards Dinner

Ritz-Carlton | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

The evening will begin with an intimate seated dinner and formal awards program, bringing together award recipients, sponsors, civic leaders and distinguished guests to honor the outstanding projects and people defining downtown's future.

This ticket grants access to the Community Celebration at Union Station.

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Community Celebration

Union Station | 7:30 – 10:00 p.m.

The festivities continue at the iconic Union Station, where the celebration opens to the entire downtown community for an evening of networking, new connections and shared recognition in one of Denver's most beloved landmarks.

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2026 Award Recipients

The Partnership is excited to recognize six transformational projects with Downtown Denver Awards and honor Rob Cohen as this year’s Legacy Award winner. The 2026 recipients represent projects, businesses and people whose recent contributions to our urban core reflect the values driving our center city forward: investment and opportunity, connection and community, resilience and joy.

The 2026 Downtown Denver Award winners:

16th Street Renovation

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Center for the Healing Arts

Denver Central Library Renovation

Historic Evans School

Outside Days

Populus Denver

Rob Cohen, Legacy Award

Learn More About the 2026 Award Recipients

The award recipients were selected by our 2026 awards jurors who represent Denver's business, education and cultural community. We're thankful for their time and expertise throughout this process.

Meet the 2026 Awards Jury

About the Downtown Denver Awards

For over six decades, the Downtown Denver Awards have been our moment to stop and say: this mattered. To recognize the developments that changed the skyline, the companies that planted their flag in our urban core, the public spaces that gave the city room to breathe, and the individuals who refused to let downtown be anything less than extraordinary.

In 2026, the Downtown Denver Awards are expanding to celebrate not just the projects we're proud of, but the individuals whose conviction and persistence are rewriting what's possible at the center of our city.

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Nominations Now Open

We’re looking for the projects, businesses and people who represent the very best of our urban core. Those whose recent contributions reflect the values driving Denver's center city forward: investment and opportunity, connection and community, resilience and joy.

Nominations are now open to projects completed or milestones achieved in 2024 and 2025, as well as individuals whose impact reflects a sustained commitment to downtown's growth and future.

Submit a Nomination

Nominations close April 13, 2026.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Premier Sponsors