International Downtown Association Awards Top Industry Honor to the Downtown Denver Partnership

The International Downtown Association (IDA) has recognized the Downtown Denver Partnership with the Downtown Achievement Pinnacle Award for its creation of the Why Downtown Denver Website.

Each year, IDA recognizes outstanding urban place management projects by hosting the Downtown Achievement Awards. The industry’s highest recognition, the Pinnacle Award, represents the most inspiring innovations in urban place management. Awardees are selected by a jury of IDA members.

“We're honored to have this important economic development tool, the Why Downtown Denver website, recognized for its innovation," said Kourtny Garrett, President and CEO of the Downtown Denver Partnership. "As we build a center city that is economically competitive, this platform provides real-time data and insights for commercial real estate partners both in Colorado and nationwide as they evaluate opportunities to bring their tenants and businesses downtown."

The Downtown Denver Partnership, in collaboration with Denver Economic Development and Opportunity (DEDO) , developed the website as part of a joint retail activation effort over the past four years, recognizing the need for a strategic approach to downtown re-tenanting to deliver lasting impact beyond initial funding cycles. The Why Downtown Denver Website leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to provide real-time data, including square footage and broker contact information, to help connect tenant prospects with available spaces that suit their needs.

"Our goal was to create a business-to-business (B2B) platform to increase efficiency with administration and have a crucial tool that can be utilized for real estate deals and leases," said Sarah Wiebenson, Vice President of Economic Development at the Downtown Denver Partnership. 

Downtown Denver welcomed more than 80 new ground-floor businesses that have opened in 2023 and 2024. To-date, more than 50 ground floor business have opened their doors or announced leases in 2025.

“Downtown Denver Partnership’s innovative project received the IDA Pinnacle Award for setting the new standard for improving cities around the world,” said David Downey, IDA President and CEO. “The Why Downtown Denver Website has made an impact on its community and the people who live, work and play there, and is evidence of the continued commitment to champion livable, vital and thriving urban centers.”

IDA convenes this September in Washington, DC for Interwoven: The Power of Passion, Place & Purpose, a four-day conference to discuss emerging trends in place management. The Downtown Denver Partnership’s President and CEO Kourtny Garrett and Vice President of Economic Development Sarah Wiebenson will be recognized for this award-winning project during the Downtown Achievement Awards ceremony. IDA’s Annual Conference & Marketplace is the premier gathering for professional place managers and urban champions creating vibrant and healthy cities around the world.

In addition, the Why Downtown Denver Website will be displayed at the National Building Museum in the City Action Hall, a room within the Museum’s latest exhibition, Coming Together. Coming Together explores the lessons learned and opportunities embraced in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a period of adapting and reshaping, cities across the country are coming to terms with lasting changes in work, housing, mobility, entertainment and recreation.

Additional information on the 2025 Pinnacle award winners can be found online at downtown.org.