Denver, CO

Here’s what 4/20 Fest, PrideFest and other events are doing while Civic Center park is under construction

Published

1 month ago

March 18, 2026

Here’s what 4/20 Fest, PrideFest and other events are doing while Civic Center park is under construction

Civic Center has for decades welcomed Denver’s biggest public festivals, packing hundreds of thousands of visitors into its two dozen acres of grass, concrete paths, flower beds, and neo-classical architecture.

But with construction taking over most of the park this year, its biggest events will have to move, shrink or split into pieces. That’s due to the lack of regular space for beer tents, music stages, vendors and the public. The first phase, which includes reorienting the iconic Greek Theater on the south side of the park, is set to be completed by summer 2027.

“We are working with permit holders to continue to have limited activations in the park,” said Jenna Harris, downtown parks program manager for the city. “We’re doing our best to accommodate events as they come up, but it is a major, $50 million construction project. The more we delay it for big events that are about to happen around the perimeter, the harder it is to meet those milestones.”

The renovation project, which officials say will refresh Civic Center for another 100 years, includes glowing up the Greek Theater with a better stage and seating. “A new canopy arched over the stage will support contemporary theatrical equipment and provide shade and rain protection,” city officials wrote in a statement. “The design also improves accessibility and circulation through interconnected paths that better connect the park’s various outdoor spaces, including a new plaza commemorating the Gang of 19 protest and disability rights movement.”

The changes will close much of the park, including the Greek Theater, Central Promenade, and South Plaza of Civic Center, where big festivals often set up stages and vendors line the curving sidewalks. To continue at Civic Center this year, events must adapt.

Here’s what we know so far:

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post

David Jackson maintains a chill vibe in the grass as people smoke grass (cannabis) during 4/20 festivities at Denver’s Civic Center Park on Friday, April 20, 2018.

Mile High 420 Fest, which celebrates cannabis culture every year on April 20, is still scheduled to take place in Civic Center, according to city records. Event producers couldn’t be reached for comment, but general admission will cost $28.52 this year. Expect live entertainment and food vendors, although performers had not yet been announced at the time of this writing.

Cinco de Mayo, May 2-3, draws about 400,000 total visitors each year. In 2026, the vibrant celebration of Mexican independence and culture will still take over parts of Civic Center, while shutting down Broadway just east of the park.

“The overall footprint is remaining almost the exact same, and we are reorganizing a few festival components that are impacted by construction,” said Austin Tafoya, special events manager for NEWSED Community Development Corp., which produces Cinco de Mayo. “Other than that, we will utilize the surrounding streets as we have in the years past.”

Outside Days, the entertainment portion of Outside Magazine’s industry event in Denver, held its second successful gathering at Civic Center May 31-June 1 last year. This year, it’s moving to the Auraria Campus due to space constraints. Taking place May 29-31, producers changed the name from Outside Festival to Outside Days, added an extra day, and booked top live acts such as Death Cab for Cutie, My Morning Jacket and Cage the Elephant.

Denver PrideFest, which typically takes place in late June and draws more than 500,000 total visitors, rivals Cinco de Mayo in size and footprint. This year they’ll reimagine the event from the ground up, said organizers at the nonprofit LGBTQ organization The Center on Colfax, CEO Kim Salvaggio said.

The Denver Pride Parade will move to 17th Street on Sunday, June 28 (from East Colfax Avenue), while the Denver Pride Festival will be held the same day on 16th Street. The annual Denver Pride 5K will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, starting at Cheesman Park Pavilion. A route is still being finalized, according to Salvaggio.

Independence Eve, a free, popular program that taps live orchestral music and a drone show to celebrate Independence Day, will not take place this year on July 3, said Eric Lazzari, executive director of the Civic Center Conservancy, which works with the city to program and maintain the park.

However, there will still be smaller events in the park throughout the year, he said, such as the return of the food truck gathering Civic Center Eats, a Dia de Los Muertos celebration, and a local-vendor Night Market, among many others.

“We haven’t seen many public announcements yet about the bigger festivals, but we’ll have about 60 to 80 events over the course of the next year produced by Civic Center Conservancy and partners in the park, including some new events we’re working on.”

The long-running A Taste of Colorado festival, the food event that typically runs on Labor Day weekend, has not used Civic Center for a large-scale festival since 2022, so don’t expect that to jump to another large location. And by the time it’s fall, start looking for the wildly popular Christkindlmarket and Mile High Tree attraction to stay put at the Auraria Campus, where they moved for their 2025 event to make way for Civic Center’s November groundbreaking.

“The reality of an urban park in the 21st century is that it has to work for groups of 5,000 or 20,000,” Lazzari said. “On the other side of this construction, we’ll see a blend of what it’s traditionally been, but also how it is gathering people in smaller sizes for new events.”

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Denver, CO

Troubled apartments: Breaking down Denver’s distressed multifamily properties

Published

11 hours ago

April 30, 2026

Press Room

Troubled apartments: Breaking down Denver’s distressed multifamily properties

The Waterford RiNo building at 2797 Wewatta Way was given to a lender in 2025. (BusinessDen file)

Denver’s apartment market is facing headwinds.

BusinessDen scoured county foreclosure records, third-party reports and court filings to determine the area’s apartment buildings that have exhibited signs of financial distress in recent months.

The list below is not necessarily comprehensive, but will be updated when we have more information, or when a particular property’s situation changes.

Foreclosed

2617-2667 W. Evans Ave., Denver

Loan: $14 million

Former owner: JTA1 Real Properties LLC AND JTA4 Real Properties LLC

Unit count: 125

456 S. Ironton St., Aurora

Loan: $25.54

Former owner: HL Lofts LLC/Summit Communities

Unit count: 112

Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure

2797 Wewatta Way, Denver

Loan: $91 million

Former owner: SRGMF III Wewatta Way Denver LLC/Sares Regis Group

Unit count: 301

Foreclosure initiated

1259 Newton St., Denver

Loan: $12.65 million

Owner: AVP Newton Venture LLC/Armada Venture Partners

4510 W. Saint Clair Place, Adams County

Loan: $6.35 million

Owner: 4510 Saint Clair Apartments LLC

2038 South Vaughn Way, Aurora

Loan: $57.15 million

Owner: Arboreta Apts LLC/Summit Communities

Unit count: 268

1433, 1451 and 1463 Macon St., Aurora

Loan: $2.98 million

Owner: West Macon Street LLC

In receivership, not in foreclosure

10101 Washington St., Thornton

Loan: $17.5 million

Owner: Meadows at Town Center LLC/Summit Communities

Units: 104

7500 Dakin St., Adams County

Loan: $49.5 million

Owner: Boulder CR Apts LLC/Summit Communities

Units: 322

Bankrupt

1592 Boston St., Aurora

Loan: $3 million

Owner: 1592 Boston Street LLC/Shaul Gabbay

Unit count: 32

1960 Dallas St., Aurora

Loan: $4.8 million

Owner: 1960 Dallas Street LLC/Shaul Gabbay

Unit count: 32

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Denver, CO

Recruit dies during Denver Sheriff Department academy training

Published

23 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Press Room

Recruit dies during Denver Sheriff Department academy training

DENVER (KDVR) — A recruit has died after participating in physical training at the Denver Sheriff Department Training Academy, officials report.

According to the Denver Sheriff Department, following physical training on Tuesday at the academy, Recruit Dorbor Mulbah “expressed discomfort and became unwell.”

DSD said staff members at the academy began life-saving medical measures on Mulbah.

Upon arrival, the Denver Fire Department and Denver Paramedics continued to provide critical medical attention before Mulbah was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on Wednesday morning.

DSD provided the following statement in part:

“As a matter of protocol, we have asked the Administrative Investigative Unit to open an inquiry into the matter. We have deployed wellness and mental health resources for the Academy cadre, to include the Recruits.

We ask that the family’s privacy be honored during this difficult time. Thank you for keeping Recruit Mulbah’s family and our Department in your thoughts and prayers.”

DSD said Mulbah was set to graduate from the academy in May.

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Denver, CO

Daily Horoscope for April 29, 2026

Published

1 day ago

April 29, 2026

Press Room

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in LIBRA.

Happy Birthday for Wednesday, April 29, 2026:

You’re confident and determined in your approach to work. You’re reliable, optimistic, incisive and independent. This is a year of learning and teaching. Take time to renew your spiritual or religious beliefs. Explore meditation, prayer or introspection. Study philosophies that give you a better self-awareness of your own potential.

ARIES

(March 21-April 19)
★★★
Today there’s a tendency to jump to conclusions – definitely something to be aware of. In particular, you might experience this when talking with family members, spouses or partners. Take a breath and create some space in the conversation. Go gently. Tonight: Genuinely listen.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20)
★★★★
Be patient with co-workers today. Likewise, resist the tendency to think something is better than it is. Nevertheless, this is a productive day for you and you can get a lot done, especially privately or working alone behind the scenes. Get busy. Tonight: Get organized.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20)
★★★
Parents must be patient with their kids today. Likewise, romantic partners must be patient with each other. If you’re involved in social outings and fun escapades (including sports) be careful of excess or going overboard. You might be too quick to jump the gun. Tonight: Socialize!

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)
★★★★
Keep the peace at home today even though dealings with parents and older family members might become challenging. In part, this might be because you’re ambitious and keen to get a lot done. In fact, you want things done your way and won’t hesitate to say so. Tonight: Relax.

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)
★★★
On the whole, this is a friendly, upbeat day. Nevertheless, you might get involved in an argument about politics, religion or racial issues. Steer clear of controversy, for your own peace of mind. Instead, enjoy relations with friends and groups. They will be friendly and supportive. Tonight: Learn and discuss.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
★★★★
Steer clear of disputes about money and possessions today, because this is basically a pleasant, friendly day. Others might ask for your advice about how to make something look better or be more attractive. Discussions about further education and travel will intrigue you. Tonight: Check your possessions.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
★★★
The Moon is in your sign today at odds with Jupiter and Mars, which can make you jump too quickly in the wrong direction or make an assumption that is off the mark. Be aware of this and refrain from doing so, if you can. Do something different today. This will please you. Tonight: You’re in charge.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
★★★
You’re very keen to work hard now and accomplish as much as possible. Unfortunately, you need more sleep. Be aware of this and do your best to balance your desire to work with your need for rest. Romance is passionate now. It’s also a favorable time to get favors and money from others. Ka-ching! Tonight: Privacy.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
★★★
Friendships are important to you today. However, be careful, because today the Moon is challenged by your own ruler Jupiter, which is why you might be tempted to promise more than you can deliver, especially to a friend, group or organization. Be sensible. Tonight: Friends.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
★★★
People notice you today. Be aware of this, especially because some people will know personal details about your private life. Perhaps this is because a public argument might take place. Also be aware that it’s easy to bite off more than you can chew. Don’t volunteer for anything. Tonight: Show respect.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
★★★★
Today is full of excitement and high energy. You want to do something different! You want to kick things up a notch. Travel, learning, new places and new faces will satisfy your search for adventure. Steer clear of controversy to avoid arguments. Tonight: Explore and learn.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20)
★★★★
It’s fortunate that you’re particularly skilled with your communications this month because this will allow you to dance delicately around any difficult situation that could turn into an argument, especially about money, shared costs or shared property. Instead, redecorate or entertain at home. Tonight: Check your finances.