About the BID

The BID is a public organization funded by private commercial property owners. The 120-block district provides a clean, safe and vibrant Downtown environment for workers, residents and visitors. Through annual assessments paid to this quasi-governmental entity, BID property owners fund a series of district-wide programs that enhance Downtown Denver, including cleaning and maintenance efforts, safety initiatives, targeted visitor marketing, economic development and marketing programs.

Through an intergovernmental agreement with the City and County of Denver, the BID enhances basic city-wide services throughout the District. The BID contracts with the Downtown Denver Partnership for management services. Through the Partnership, the BID’s work plan is implemented.

As of 2017, there are 407 private commercial property owners who represent 877 properties in the BID. As illustrated below, the BID’s boundaries extend from Speer Boulevard to 20th Street, and from Wewatta Street to Grant Street.

History of the BID

Created in 1982 as the Mall Management District (MMD), the BID was formed in 1992 upon the sunset of the MMD’s charter. In its early years, the bulk of the BID’s day-to-day cleaning and maintenance services were provided on the 16th Street Mall. In November 2001, Downtown commercial property owners approved an increased budget that allowed core cleaning services – including sidewalk sweeping, trash removal, and graffiti removal – to be extended throughout the 120-block district. Additionally, the Lower Downtown extension of the 16th Street Mall between Market Street Station and Wynkoop Street received additional enhancements such as flower planting, landscaping, tree maintenance and snow removal.

Delivery of enhanced services on the Lower Downtown extension of the 16th Street Mall began on January 1, 2002, with core cleaning and maintenance services extended to the remainder of the 120-block district on May 1, 2002.

The BID’s authority sunsets every ten years. In October 2011, Downtown property owners approved the renewal of the BID’s authority for another 10-year period.