Denver, CO
Capital One Lounge Crowds Are Out Of Control In Denver—Use This Quick Trick For Instant Privacy – View from the Wing
Capital One Lounge Crowds Are Out Of Control In Denver—Use This Quick Trick For Instant Privacy
Capital One’s Denver airport lounge could be great, but it’s too small. As a result, the place gets packed and waits to get in can be long. Once inside, the food is good, but too many seats don’t have power outlets. There is a trick to find some privacy amidst the chaos, though.
I visited the lounge a couple of times recently. The first time, during the early evening, there was a wait to get in that stretched more than 40 minutes. That’s typical of Dallas, as well.
The lounge is near gate A34. All of the concourses are connected by train, so from the middle of the B or C gates plan for about 15 minutes each way.
In the late afternoon, the lounge showed estimating a 55 minute wait. I added myself to the wait list. I was showing up at #72 (!).
And, in fact, it took a little over 40 minutes to be welcomed into the lounge.
When I arrived there was a long line. That’s not the line to get it – it’s the line of people showing up who aren’t on a wait list. They just come to the lounge, figuring they can get in. Now, they get to the front and a few questions quickly reveal that many of them aren’t eligible unless they pay. They’re trying to get in with Amex cards, with Chase Sapphire Reserve, or with Priority Pass. They can pay for entry on a single visit basis, if they wish! Those who have eligible cards (or are willing to pay) get added to the wait list and the are going to need to come back in about an hour.
If you see a line like this and it’s your turn, do not wait in it! It is not for you! Just walk right past the staff member at the front, or walk by mentioning to them that it’s your turn to enter the lounge. I headed up the escalator. There, there was a line of people whose turn it was also! So I had to wait in line – as time ticked by on my allowable 10 minutes to show up. They aren’t going to turn you away if you don’t make it to the front of the line in time, though.
The lounge has a bar and dining room, work rooms and a conference room, a shower suite and individual restrooms.
When the lounge is especially busy, look to the work rooms. These are reserved at the front desk – and as packed as the lounge seemed to be, these were empty. They aren’t at the windowline, but they give you space and furniture.
Overall though there was seating once you’re inside. Capital One does a good job managing queues so that the lounge itself remains nice even when there are lines. You can get access to the bar, too. My biggest complaint about the lounge is that not all seats had access to power.
The food and beverage offerings here are good. I enjoyed both an evening offering and a breakfast. I like the current menu better than Dallas, where food seems to have declined.
The afternoon and evening food offerings include:
- toy box caprese salad
- petite charcuterie
- arugula salad
- spicy tofu poke bowl
curried cauliflower - garbanzo bean dahl
- pasta bolognese
- pasta pomodoro
- chocolate brownie, macarons, croissant, caramel pecan cookie
My second visit was on a morning and there was no line around 8:30 a.m.
It must have been early for some people!
But there was plenty more seating open throughout the lounge.
Morning offerings included:
- overnight maple oats
- strawberry guava chia parfait
- strawberry banana smoothie bowl
- chorizo empanadas
- three cheese frittata
- tofu scramble
- elk sausage kolaches
Grab ‘n Go was good but also less than I used to see in Dallas (but there’s seemingly less grab ‘n go options there as well). ‘Grab’ a paper bag and fill up from the fridge and don’t forget chocolate on the way out – each lounge has its own variant of chocolate, here it’s “peaches and hops.”
Access is via Capital One Venture X card [guest and authorized user access change February 1, 2026]. You need a same day departing boarding pass, and can enter the lounge no earlier than 3 hours prior to your flight – even on connections.
More From View from the Wing
There have been many great offensive linemen in Denver Broncos history, so this list is likely going to vary greatly from person to person. In fact, my take might be a little too bold, but I’m sticking with it.
At the top spot, I think Garett Bolles has earned it. Since coming into the league as a first-round pick in 2017, he has grinded through one of the worst periods in Broncos’ history and grown from beleaguered oft-penalized first-round bust into a perennial All-Pro caliber left tackle. Even more, he has stayed a Bronco through his entire career. The rest of my list speaks for itself and is a throwback to Super Bowl greatness.
Here’s where our Mile High Report staff landed on the top five for offensive line:
Scotty Payne: Tom Nalen was the leader of Mike Shanahan’s offensive line, Ryan Clady was a top LT on a Hall of Fame career before injury and Stink was a key member of the Broncos Super Bowl winning OL back in the 90s. I included Bolles and Meinerz since both will be on this list once their successful careers are over with.
Chris Hart: This position group was one of the toughest to come up with a top five. Denver has an incredible history of top-tier offensive lineman. There are several players I left off who were certainly deserving. I posted Tom Nalen as my top guy because he was a stalwart at the pivot for many years for the franchise. We all know what Gary Zimmerman and Mark Schlereth provided on the field and they are both Super Bowl champions. The last two spots go to two recent Broncos, left tackles Garret Bolles and Ryan Clady. Bolles, a decade into his career, continues to play at a high level and Clady was a fantastic blindside protector whose career ended earlier than it should due to injury.
Ian St. Clair: For the first time in Elway’s career, he had a blind-side protector. And Zimmerman is one of the best to ever do it. Same for Nalen, who should be in the HOF. Clady was special. Bishop was the first Broncos offensive lineman in franchise history to get a Pro Bowl invite and provided one of the best in-game quotes ever when he said in Denver’s endzone at old Cleveland Stadium before hiking the ball at the 2-yard line in what would become The Drive, “We got ‘em right right where want ‘em.” And Schlereth helped lock down the left side of the line that was one of the best in league history.
Sadaraine: The top 3 are largely indisputable, other than maybe swapping Schlereth and Zimmerman. Ken Lanier started 178 consecutive games, which is nuts for an OT, and appeared in 3 Super Bowls. Garret Bolles has crafted himself into an all-time great at tackle and may move up the list.
Ross Allen: The Hall-of-Famer Gary Zimmerman was everything you could ever ask for in a left tackle and was a huge reason why John Elway and that 1997 team was so dominant. Schlereth also gets his credit as he was a massive contributor to Denver’s Super Bowl successes. There’s a strong case for Tom Nalen deserving a spot in the Hall of Fame too. And for the past two years I’ve become a huge spouter of Bolles being destined for the Ring of Fame. He’s an incredible talent as has been the cornerstone of this team for a while now. I just hope he gets his Super Bowl.
Joe Mahoney: Top 3 are a no-brainer. Bolles will finish his career with more starts on the OL than any other Bronco. The man he will pass is Ken Lanier. Since stats from Lanier’s era don’t exist we only have starts to go off, but Lanier was an iron man. He started 167 NFL games and 165 were for the Broncos.
There is a bit of variation here, but a general consensus of who should be in the Top 5. I loved the throwback to Keith Bishop who was a big part of the John Elway fourth quarter magic back in the day.
Who gets into your top five offensive lineman list?
The Denver Nuggets are running it back with at least one free agent from last year’s team. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Denver Nuggets have re-signed point guard Tyus Jones.
Free agent guard Tyus Jones has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Denver Nuggets, sources tell ESPN. Jones played a reserve role after joining Denver on the buyout market last season, and enters his 12th NBA season as his agent Kevin Bradbury of LIFT Sports Management… pic.twitter.com/OxPTfX8C7l
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2026
Jones played 11 regular season games for Denver last year and got into 3 post-season contests as well. The Nuggets are desperately lacking in point guards who can handle the rock, especially after they decided not to pick up the fourth-year option on fellow point guard Jalen Pickett. Denver liked Jones and his ability to handle on-ball pressure better in the playoffs, and obviously feel there is utility in having him on the 15-man roster for his passing acumen and mistake avoidance despite being a target at just 6 feet tall. They did not draft a point guard, so it’s possible Jones is the first PG off the bench for the Nuggets – but in recent years they’ve relied on players like Bruce Brown to shoulder some of those duties as well even if they’re not pure point guards, so it remains to be seen just how much court time Jones is going to get.
His 5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio in his career points to his high floor in ball security though, and the Nuggets have proven time and again over the past several years that they can be truly great if they don’t have silly turnovers. Jones comes back to the Mile High looking to help the Nuggets minimize their mistakes so they can maximize their talent.
Welcome back, Tyus!
The Fourth of July weekend is one of the biggest celebrations of the summer, and Denver is delivering a packed lineup of events for every kind of adventurer. Whether you’re looking to watch fireworks light up the Colorado sky, catch a live concert at Red Rocks, enjoy rooftop parties, indulge in seasonal food and drinks or explore the city’s thriving arts and culture scene, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate Independence Day.
Here’s your guide to the best music, food, fireworks, nightlife, arts, and cultural events happening across Denver this Fourth of July weekend.
Follow @303magazine on Instagram
Read: Best Rooftops to Watch 4th of July Fireworks + Sip Cocktails in Denver
Read: The Ultimate 4th of July Outdoor Colorado Music Guide
FASHION EVENTS
Denver Fashion Week Fall 2026 Second Model Auditions
Where: TBA
Cost: $10+
The Lowdown:
Following overwhelming demand from aspiring models across Colorado, Denver Fashion Week (DFW) has announced a second round of model auditions for its upcoming Fall/Winter 2026 runway season.
MUSIC EVENTS
Read: The Ultimate 4th of July Outdoor Colorado Music Guide
Gillian Grogan and EMMA ROSE
Where: Skylark Lounge – 140 S. Broadway
Cost: $18+
The Lowdown:
Zeds Dead with Sippy, Baauer, Holly, HYDRAULIX & LUMBERJVCK
Where: Red Rocks Amphitheatre – 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison
Cost: $205+
The Lowdown:
Flobots
Where: Levitt Pavilion Denver – 1380 W Florida Ave
Cost: $0+
The Lowdown:
Don Toliver with SahBabii, SoFaygo, Chase B
Where: Ball Arena – 1000 Chopper Cir
Cost: $105+
The Lowdown:
FOOD EVENTS
Read: Best Rooftops to Watch 4th of July Fireworks + Sip Cocktails in Denver
Dumpling Love: Dim Sum Party
Where: Stir Cooking School Highlands – 3215 Zuni St.
Cost: $120 per person
The Lowdown:
Join the dumpling party and learn how to make pork bao buns, shrimp shumai, pan-fried gyoza, and crab cheese rangoons. All classes include a full bar with beer, wine, and house-curated cocktails for purchase.
Stars, Stripes, and Deck Nights
Where: Woodie Fisher Kitchen & Bar – 1999 Chestnut Pl.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Celebrate America’s 250th with our festive Bomb Pop Drinks, featuring real Bomb Pops and High Noon buckets!
4th of July Rooftop Fiesta at Cimera
Where: The Source Hotel – 3330 Brighton Blvd.
Cost: $60+
The Lowdown:
The experience is an open rooftop gathering featuring live-fire cooking, craft cocktails, and skyline views throughout the evening. Guests will enjoy Peruvian street skewers, duck & chorizo paella, and ceviche prepared live on-site.
Farmers Market Central Park
Where: Central Park – 29th Ave & Roslyn
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Local vendors provide Colorado-grown produce, tasty baked goods, specialty meats, gourmet food items and more!
LIFESTYLE EVENTS
Mystic Magnolias; A Southern Gothic Cabaret
Where: Colorado Sake Co – 3559 Larimer St
Cost: $25+
The Lowdown:
Saunter yourself out to The Mystic Magnolias, a Burlesque AND Drag Show with chilling charm and dripping in Southern Gothic atmosphere.
America 250 | Colorado 150 Drone Show presented by Visit Denver
Where: DPAC/Denver Performing Arts Complex – 1400 Curtis St.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Following Sunset Cinema’s showing of National Treasure on July 3rd at Sculpture Park, stay to enjoy the 4th of July Drone Show! This special event will be brought to you by Visit Denver, celebrating American 250 | Colorado 150, including an appearance by Mayor Mike Johnston.
Beat The Bomb Summer Mission: America250 Edition
Where: Beat The Bomb – 3863 Steele St, Unit 1273
Cost: $39+
The Lowdown:
Beat The Bomb announces the limited-time-only Summer Mission: America250 Edition – celebrating America’s 250th with five new games, a collectible beach towel, and a red, white, and blue Paint Blast!
Independence Day Concert with Denver Municipal Band (Cheesman Park)
Where: Cheesman Park – 1900 E. 11th Ave.
Cost: Free
The Lowdown:
Price:Free
Join the Denver Municipal Band’s Concert Band for an Independence Day concert at Cheesman Park Pavilion with special guest Denver District 10 City Councilmember Chris Hinds narrating Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait.
Follow @303magazine on Instagram
Whether you’re dancing at a concert, enjoying a garden dinner, cheering on your favorite soccer team or exploring a new exhibition, Denver offers plenty of ways to fill your 4th of July weekend calendar. Gather your friends, support local businesses, and discover something new around the city.
-
Indianapolis, IN2 minutes agoIndy youth group urges teens to stay safe this July 4th weekend
-
Pittsburg, PA8 minutes agoIs it legal to set off fireworks in Pittsburgh neighborhoods?
-
Augusta, GA15 minutes agoAnnual fan drive returns as dangerous heat settles over Augusta
-
Washington, D.C18 minutes agoDC police release bodycam footage of officer firing at armed carjacking suspect
-
Cleveland, OH23 minutes agoWoman found dead in backyard of Cleveland home
-
Austin, TX30 minutes agoJuly 4th: Austin celebration preview, safety tips
-
Alabama33 minutes agoAlabama unveils the Alabama Catfish Trail
-
Alaska38 minutes agoSome of the best America has to offer can be seen at its national parks
