Denver's 16th Street Grand Opening: Celebrating a New Chapter, The Denver Way

After 43 years and the past three and a half years under construction, Denver's iconic 16th Street has been reborn! This past Saturday, on October 4, the city celebrated the completion of the three-year, mile-long $176.7 million renovation project that transformed 13 blocks of Downtown Denver's beloved pedestrian corridor. The grand celebration attracted nearly 30,000 people back to downtown who explored 16th Street and surrounding areas throughout the day.

The grand opening, which took place exactly 43 years after the original 16th Street Mall was debuted to the public, was a true celebration of community and the more than ten years of planning leading up to this historic revitalization project. Special remarks came from Mayor Mike Johnston, Former Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Downtown Denver Partnership's President and CEO Kourtny Garrett, RTD's General Manager and CEO Debra Johnson, and PCL Construction's Tim Springer. The Main Stage came alive with a lineup of true-to-Denver local music acts including DJ CYN, Flobots, DOGTAGS, Los Mocochetes, and Graham Good and the Painters.

The energy throughout the day was electric, with attendees of all ages exploring 16th Street’s new play features, testing out interactive kiosks, exploring businesses (new and established alike), and gathering under the expanded tree canopy to enjoy the festivities.

The good vibes are matched with numbers that highlight the excitement around the Grand Opening of 16th Street:

• October 4 saw 30,000 total visits to 16th Street, up 18% from the same day in 2024, with 18,500 of those visits taking place during Grand Opening programming hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

  
  

• The amount of people on opening weekend was 30% more than average weekend traffic in 2025 year-to-date

People didn't just show up, they stayed. While we saw an expected spike at 2 p.m. in the height of the festivities, foot traffic remained steady until 8 p.m., demonstrating genuine engagement with the space rather than just curiosity. Just under 30% of attendees came from within 3 miles of 16th Street, with strong support from adjacent neighborhoods (10% from 0-0.3 miles, 7% from 1-2 miles). The celebration also drew families and visitors from across the suburbs, proving that 16th Street's appeal extends far beyond downtown.

What makes these numbers particularly meaningful is that they reflect the project's core goal: creating a space where Denver gathers and celebrates. We’re excited to be already hearing from 16th Street businesses that felt the renewed energy of people coming back downtown.

"Since the first block of 16th Street opened last year, we've seen a steady increase in foot traffic, optimism, and market interest as more and more people discover the magic of 16th Street in its newest form. 16th Street, at its core, is where Denver comes to celebrate our city's history, stories and traditions, while serving as an epicenter for culture, innovation, and connection. With the expanded programmable space, we're excited to see more activation, a new tide of retail and restaurant options, and people returning to experience this iconic space in a whole new way."

Thank you to everyone who showed up to celebrate the Grand Opening! Your presence demonstrated what we've always known: 16th Street is Denver's iconic spine, the place where our city comes together.

Thank you for your patience during construction, your support of local businesses, and most importantly, for showing up to reclaim this space as your own.

16th Street’s Grand Opening delivered on its promise, offering a glimpse of what's to come: a vibrant, accessible and welcoming corridor where Denver gathers to celebrate its history while creating new memories for the next 43 years and beyond.

16th Street is once again where Denver's spirit shines brightest. And if the 16th Street Grand Opening celebration is any indication, it's shining brighter than ever.