Denver, CO

Denver welcomes record number of domestic visitors in 2023, and they spent more money than ever before

Published

2 years ago

July 16, 2024

Denver welcomes record number of domestic visitors in 2023, and they spent more money than ever before

DENVER — In 2023, Denver welcomed a record-setting 37.4 million domestic visitors, which was a 3% increase over the previous record set in 2022, according to a report released by Visit Denver.

The report also says the record number of visitors in the city generated $10.3 billion in tourism revenue, which was the most money spent in Denver than ever before.

“We’re thrilled that both the number of tourists and the revenue generated from those tourists hit record breaking numbers,” said Taylor Shields, the director of communications and public relations for Visit Denver.

On a warm, sunny day in downtown Denver, it’s likely you’ll bump into a touring group, like the one John Mayr was leading Tuesday morning.

“We start out at the Capitol and we end at Union Station,” he said.

Mayr told Denver7 he wasn’t surprised to hear Denver tourism hit a new record with all the city has to offer.

“Denver’s a sports town. It’s a town for the arts. It’s a town with a very rich history, has so much to offer to so many people around the world,” said Mayr.

It’s all of those things that brought Lothar Jaeger and his friends to make a stop in Denver all the way from Germany.

“We landed in Boston, and then we came from Boston to Cape Cod, Pennsylvania, Vancouver,” Jaeger said. “We visited Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills, and then we came down to Denver.”

He told Denver7 he and his group first started planning their U.S. trip in the fall of 2023. He said they wanted to make sure to stop in Denver for a few days because they’d heard great reviews.

“We heard a lot about it, it should be very interesting to watch, and so much other stuff is going on,” he said. “Then we go to the tour here and learn about the history and everything else which is out there in the city.”

Though visitors aren’t only coming from other countries, some are visiting from much closer.

“We came from Las Vegas. We got in yesterday,” said Rick Beavin, “Yesterday evening we went to Union Station, checked it out, and we went walking around north of there to the creek.”

Beavin and his daughter aren’t among the few visiting top spots, like Union Station.

Jerry Jimenez

A look down the 16th Street Mall

The report says the following are top visited attractions when it comes to shopping and entertainment:

– Cherry Creek area
– 16th Street Mall
– Lower Downtown Historic Area
– Denver Pavilions
– Colorado Mills Mall

After months of work being done on the 16th Street Mall Andrew Iltis, the vice president of planning community impact with the Downtown Denver Partnership, says they’re hoping that only continues boosting tourism more and more.

“We’re really seeing tourism pick up, especially in the summertime when we have, you know, kids out of school,” he said. “We have people looking for places to visit, people coming to visit the mountains, and they’re making a stop in downtown and checking out what we have to offer, like this new block on 16th Street.”

Iltis says his hope is tourists continue visiting Denver, especially this year.

The tourists Denver7 spoke with Tuesday said they’d had an unforgettable time, so far.

“It just feels like it’s welcoming to come out, everybody’s friendly,” Beavin said.

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Denver, CO

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

Published

38 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.

I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.

Broncos top FA needs on offense

Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.

I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.

Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.

Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.

Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.

Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.

Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.

Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).

There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.

Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.

Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.

Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.

Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.

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Denver, CO

Denver area events for March 5

Published

13 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability. Thursday Camilla Vaitaitis Quartet — 6:30 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events. Miguel — 7 p.m., Fillmore Auditorium, […]

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Denver, CO

Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back

The Denver Broncos are in the market for a running back.

Just two days after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Denver wants to have the running back position addressed before the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Broncos are “poised to make a splash” at running back during NFL free agency.

“Denver is the reason why the Jets used the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the transition tag, according to sources, making sure Denver wouldn’t get the opportunity to put together an offer the Jets would refuse to match,” Jones wrote for CBS Sports.

Jones said the Broncos would be an obvious potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker, and he noted that Travis Etienne could be a cheaper alternative. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider also reported this week that Denver is expected to “closely examine” the RB market, and he name-dropped Walker, Etienne and Rico Dowdle.

The Broncos also have an in-house free agent at RB in J.K. Dobbins, who has expressed his desire to remain in Denver. The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents from other clubs on March 9, but no deals can become official until the new league year begins on March 11. In-house free agents can be re-signed at any time.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

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