On Saturday, Oct. 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 16th Street 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 number of people on opening weekend was 30% more than average weekend traffic in 2025 year-to-date
The Downtown Denver Partnership is excited to already be 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.”
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.
The city has also announced that RTD’s 16th Street FreeRide has officially returned to the corridor. Shuttles are running on the center transitway along 16th Street between Union Station and Civic Center Station. For the most up-to-date schedule and route information, please visit the RTD website.
