Denver, CO

What did Phil Milstein do to deserve Denver’s worst park?

Published

4 weeks ago

March 16, 2026

Press Room

What did Phil Milstein do to deserve Denver’s worst park?

Few people are lucky enough to have a Denver park named after them.

Only one is unlucky enough to have Denver’s worst park named after him.

At Phil Milstein Park, the only amenity is a lonely metal picnic table, which is often surrounded by trash, spoiled food and overgrown foliage. The deafening rumble of cars from I-25 overwhelms any sense of peace. A detached bumper of a car hangs precariously from a tree.

The few bikers and runners on the South Platte River Trail hurry along the path and don’t stop to take in the scene. But not Sally Jones, who has been biking past the park for decades.

“It’s so shabby, and I don’t ever recall it being a nice park where you really want to come and recreate,” said Jones. “Part of it, of course, is the nearness to the highway. It’s not pleasant, no grass, no nothing.”

She wanted to know — is there any hope for Phil Milstein Park?

And she’s not the only one. For some in Denver, including one city council member, the shabby condition of this riverine stretch is an insult to a man who shaped the modern city.

Who was Phil Milstein?

Milstein, born in 1907, was renowned for his contributions to Denver’s downtown.

An engineer by trade, Milstein emerged in Denver’s politics scene in 1958, when he was appointed to the council due to a vacancy. His tenure was short — he lost his reelection campaign — but it was just the start of his influential public career.

The Rocky Mountain News, August 20, 1987.

Image source: Colorado Historic Newspapers

After his council tenure, he served on “dozens of boards, committees and task forces over the years,” according to the Rocky Mountain News, and was revered by several mayors. He was described as a key figure in the controversial development of the Auraria Campus, the beautification of the South Platte River and more.

He was most associated with the redevelopment of downtown and 16th Street. Milstein was a founding member of Downtown Denver Inc., which eventually turned into the Downtown Denver Partnership. He was such a strong advocate for the creation of the 16th Street Mall that he was regularly cited as the “father of the mall” in newspapers.

“If the heart of downtown Denver is Civic Center, then certainly its soul must be Philip Milstein, engineer, architect, preservationist, city planner, educator and volunteer core-city caretaker,” wrote one Rocky Mountain News reporter in 1991.

Even among downtown’s towering buildings, he paid attention to the small things.

“Milstein has been known to stop strangers on downtown streets and ask them to pick up wrappers they’ve discarded,” wrote Rocky Mountain News reporter Suzanne Weiss in 1987.

After he turned 80, he earned a PhD in public administration at the University of Colorado Denver. He was given the unique honor of being designated an honorary Denver landmark by Denver City Council in 1984 — the first living being to be given the designation.

When he died at the age of 85 in 1993, his service at Temple Emanuel was attended by hundreds. They honored a lifetime of achievements.

And then there was the park.

A local nonprofit dedicated the park.

Mayor William H. McNichols had the downtown civic center building named after him. The Rose Medical Center was named for World War II hero General Maurice Rose. James A. Bible, once the head of the parks and recreation department, was honored with one of southeast Denver’s largest parks.

Milstein’s reward for his service was the humble patch of land along the Platte.

Milstein was a board member of the Platte River Greenway Foundation, which has worked to open new parks and plazas along the river.

A look at the South Platte River near Phil Milstein Park, nestled in between the Baker and Valverde neighborhoods in Denver, Colo., on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

One of those parks was what later became Phil Milstein Park. On July 27, 1988 — several years before Milstein’s death — the Greenway Foundation dedicated its newest park to Milstein, dubbing it Milstein Grove.

In a photo of the ceremony, Milstein and his wife, Elisabeth Milstein, pose in front of several newly planted trees and patches of grass at the park.

“Milstein Grove promises to be one of the Greenway’s most beautiful parks, honoring a very special and valued Friend of the River,” the Foundation wrote in a 1988 newsletter.

The park hasn’t lived up to its promise.

“Come here if you’re depressed and want to be, like, super depressed,” said one Google reviewer.

Surrounded by a busy highway on one side and industrial buildings on the other, Phil Milstein Park isn’t accessible to anyone in particular. The nearest parking lot is a mile away at Frog Hollow Park. Google Maps is less than helpful, advising users to exit their vehicles at the onramp and hoof it downhill.

After Jones did more research about Milstein, she remarked that it was sad to see someone who had done so much for Denver “get so quickly forgotten.”

District 2 Councilmember Kevin Flynn knew Milstein during Flynn’s journalism career at the now-defunct Rocky Mountain News. He described him as a “real gentleman” whose love for the city was apparent.

He first visited Phil Milstein Park about 15 years ago, when he was biking from Littleton to dinner downtown. When he came across the park’s sign, he was shocked.

“I literally had to stop and I started choking up. I had tears in my eyes,” Flynn said. “I had no idea that there was a Phil Milstein Park, but I further had no idea that they honored him by placing this little patch of woebegone, overgrown grass and weeds under some ramps on the Sixth Avenue-I-25 interchange.”

Is there any hope for Phil Milstein Park?

Jones said that with millions of dollars being poured into other Denver parks, including tens of millions for the sprawling new Park Hill Park, she’d like to see more attention paid to Phil Milstein Park.

But that appears unlikely for now.

While the city plans to invest millions into renovating the surrounding South Platte River Trail — namely pulling parts of it farther away from I-25 — construction will stop just short of Phil Milstein Park.

Flynn floated the idea of renaming the three-block-long Skyline Park in downtown after Milstein, due to his involvement in the Skyline Urban Renewal Project. The project, which resulted in the displacement of 1,600 people, was a major part of the reinvention of downtown Denver in the 1960s.

A man rides his bike past the sign for Phil Milstein Park nestled between the Baker and Valverde neighborhoods in Denver, Colo., on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

“It just struck me that Skyline Park would be the best place,” Flynn said. “It’s the most appropriate because it’s at the intersection of some of his major initiatives.”

It wouldn’t be the first time a Denver park has been renamed. In 2020, a grassroots movement led the department to ask Denver City Council to approve a name change for what is now La Raza Park in Sunnyside. The park had previously been named after Christopher Columbus, the Italian explorer whose legacy has been reexamined in the 21st century. But we don’t know of a time that a name was ever moved from one park to another.

At the very least, Flynn hopes that the city can improve the area so it lives up to its initial promise.

“Make it a grove, make it what it was supposed to be when it was first established,” Flynn said. “That’s the least that we ought to be able to do.”

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Denver, CO

Denver Mountain Parks to take over management of Mount Blue Sky road

Published

6 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Denver Mountain Parks to take over management of Mount Blue Sky road

When the Mount Blue Sky Road opens Memorial Day weekend from Echo Lake to the iconic mountain’s 14,266-foot summit, conditions permitting, there will be a change in the way access to the road is managed.

Denver Mountain Parks will staff the welcome station at Echo Lake and manage the Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area, taking over that role from the Arapaho National Forest.

“Managing this complex, high-use recreation area has always been a shared stewardship effort between the national forest, the city of Denver and state of Colorado,” forest supervisor Christopher Stubbs said in a joint news release. “We have been working together on this mountain for more than a century. In the early years, Denver had the greater presence with their (Echo Lake) lodge and restaurants on the mountain. For the past four decades, the forest service has been at the helm. Now it’s Denver’s turn again.”

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Denver, CO

Historic 84-year-old Bonnie Brae gas station in Denver officially listed for sale by family

Published

18 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Historic 84-year-old Bonnie Brae gas station in Denver officially listed for sale by family

DENVER — After 84 years of pumping gas and cleaning windshields, the family-owned Bonnie Brae Conoco in Denver is officially up for sale.

Located at the corner of University and Exposition, the station has been a staple in the neighborhood for generations. Owner Ken Wilson believes it could be the only remaining full-service, family-owned gas station in the city.

“Some people wouldn’t know what to do if we stopped doing this,” Wilson said.

Mike Castellucci

Wilson started working at the station when he was 12 years old. His family has owned the business through the decades, keeping photos from the 1940s through the 1970s.

“So many memories. I love coming to work. When I come here I feel like my dad never left,” Wilson said.

Wilson noted that his father died 14 years ago.

► Watch Mike Castellucci’s report in the player below:

Historic Bonnie Brae Conoco gas station in Denver officially listed for sale

The station was previously known for a sign that read “not for sale.” Now, the sign has changed to indicate the property is on the market.

“We’re just looking to the future. It’s a great property. It’s been good to us. We love the neighborhood. I love coming to work. So it’s not like I’m dying to sell this. We think it’s a very valuable property,” Wilson said.

Customer Ali Halberson noticed the Conoco sign went from "not for sale" to "for sale"

Today, employee Claude Espinoza is changing out winter tires for summer tires.

“I get it. Only so long you can run a family business,” Espinoza said.

Customers like Ali Halberson, who spent $100 to fill her car, are feeling the impact of changing times.

“I was really empty,” Halberson said.

While Halberson thinks current gas prices are “terrible,” customers in the neighborhood do not want to pay the price of watching the Wilson family’s station disappear. Other gas stations that used to operate across the street and next door are long gone, leaving the Bonnie Brae Conoco as a final remnant of a bygone era.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Denver7 | Your Voice: Get in touch with Mike Castellucci

Denver7’s Mike Castellucci covers stories that have an impact in all of Colorado’s communities, but specializes in reporting on community connections. If you’d like to get in touch with Mike, fill out the form below to send him an email.

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Denver, CO

First Time at Denver Fashion Week? Read This Before Tickets Sell Out – 303 Magazine

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

First Time at Denver Fashion Week? Read This Before Tickets Sell Out – 303 Magazine

Denver Fashion Week has become one of the city’s most buzzed-about events – but if you’ve never been, it’s easy to feel unsure about what to expect.

The good news: it’s far more accessible (and fun) than you think – and that’s exactly why people keep coming back.

Your first Fashion Week experience doesn’t have to happen in New York or Paris. It’s happening right here at Denver Fashion Week.

Seats are limited, and the most popular nights go quickly—especially VIP. Get your tickets HERE

Here’s how to navigate your first Denver Fashion Week like a pro.

What’s the vibe?

Forget the intimidating, ultra-elite energy of New York or Paris. Denver Fashion Week strikes a balance between elevated and inclusive. Think high-energy, visually immersive, and social.
You’re not sitting quietly—you’re part of the atmosphere.

You’ll see a mix of:

Designers, models, local creatives, and stylists
Influencers, press, brands, sponsors, and photographers
Fashion, beauty, art, and music lovers dressed to be seen

The energy builds as the night goes on — from pre-show cocktails to the moment the lights dim and the runway comes alive. It’s part fashion show, part social scene, and part cultural experience.

What to wear?

The most common question: What do I wear?

The short answer — there are no strict rules. But this is your moment to show up intentionally styled.

Think of it as: elevated self-expression.

Go-To Outfit Ideas:

Elevated Streetwear
Oversized blazer, cargos or tailored pants, heels or sleek sneakers. Effortlessly cool and on-trend.

Minimal Chic
Slip dress, neutral tones, sleek bun, gold jewelry. Clean, understated and polished.

Bold Statement Look
Metallics, textures, statement outerwear or dramatic silhouettes. Perfect for turning heads.

If you’re debating between playing it safe or going bold – lean bold. This is one of the few nights in Denver where more fashion-forward always works.

What is the timeline of the night?

Arrive early to avoid the line and find parking
Grab a cocktail, take photos, mingle, shop
Runway show begins
Ask where the after party is!

What is the VIP Lounge Experience?

Experience Fashion at the Highest Level

If you’re looking to turn your night into something unforgettable, the VIP experience is where Denver Fashion Week truly comes alive.

VIP access is available to First + Second Runway Seat ticket holders, giving you a front-row connection to every moment on the runway.

VIP Perks Include:

Priority seating with premium runway views
Exclusive check-in experience
Elevated atmosphere among Denver’s fashion insiders
Exclusive access to the VIP Lounge
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres (while supplies last)
Elevated photo opportunities of every look
Networking alongside press, influencers, celebrities, and fashion insiders
Exclusive VIP discounts at select pop-up vendors
An up-close experience of cutting-edge runway production
Access to the VIP cash bar

Why does seating matters?

First and second Row: premium, closest to the action, elevated photo opportunities of every look, and gain VIP lounge access.
General Admission: relaxed, and enjoy a state-of-the-art fashion show production.

Does Denver Fashion Week support the community?

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, Denver Fashion Week has announced Ardent Grove, a Colorado-based nonprofit mental health clinic, as its official community partner for the Spring 2026 shows

Where will Denver Fashion Week be held?

For Spring 2026, Denver Fashion Week will once again transform the luxurious Furniture Row Showroom into a fully immersive runway environment. Known for its expansive layouts, modern architecture, and refined aesthetic, the space offers a setting rarely seen in traditional fashion venues.

Instead of conventional warehouses or hotel ballrooms, the runway unfolds inside a curated interior design landscape — where elevated home décor meets cutting-edge fashion.

Is it worth it?

Denver Fashion Week is more than a runway — it’s a full experience blending fashion, culture, and community.
If you love fashion, creativity, or just want a unique night out in Denver, absolutely.

And once you go, you’ll get it.

Where to stay?

Elevate your Denver Fashion Week experience with our hotel partner, Vīb Hotel. Enjoy 35% off during DFW when you book directly and stay just minutes from the action in style and comfort.

Where to buy tickets?

Seats are limited, and the most popular nights go quickly—especially VIP.

Get your tickets HERE or below

SUSTAINABLE Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Fri, May 1, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

This show honors designers committed to ethical production, eco-conscious materials and slow fashion principles. From upcycled textiles to responsible sourcing and transparent manufacturing, this runway proves that sustainability and high design can coexist beautifully.

SOCIETY Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Saturday, May 2, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

Denver Fashion Week’s most elevated and couture-driven evening. This showcase highlights avant-garde collections, luxury craftsmanship and bold artistic expression. It’s a celebration of high fashion — where visionary design and dramatic silhouettes command the runway.

Family Day: YOUTH + MOMMY & ME Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Sunday, May 3, 3:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

A heartwarming and high-energy experience celebrates the next generation of fashion. Featuring youth designers, young models and coordinated parent-child looks, this daytime runway brings together families, creativity and community in a joyful celebration of style at every.

STREETWEAR & SNEAKERS Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Tuesday, May 5, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

Streetwear & Sneakers taps into culture, edge and urban influence. This show highlights bold graphics, statement footwear, layered styling and trend-driven collections rooted in music, art and street culture. Expect high-impact energy and looks that define what’s next in everyday fashion.

MAXIMALISM Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Wednesday, May 6, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

Maximalism Night embraces fearless self-expression. Designers will showcase vibrant color stories, dramatic textures, exaggerated silhouettes and unapologetic styling. It’s a runway dedicated to more — more volume, more detail, more personality.

OUTERWEAR + ATHLEISURE Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Thursday, May 7, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

New for Spring 2026, Outerwear & Athleisure celebrates Colorado’s unique intersection of performance and polish. This show highlights technical innovation, structured outerwear, luxury sportswear and contemporary layering designed for movement and style.

ADAPTIVE Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Friday, May 8, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

Denver Fashion Week, in partnership with Guided By Humanity, invites you to a defining moment of the season, The Adaptive Runway Show, which spotlights inclusive design created for individuals of all abilities.

SWIM & RESORT WEAR Spring ’26 Presented by Furniture Row

When: Saturday, May 9 7:00 p.m.
Where: Furniture Row Showroom – 5445 Bannock St, Denver
Cost: $30+
The Lowdown:

Back by demand, Swimsuit & Resort Wear delivers high-energy glamour and vacation-ready style. Designers will present bold swim silhouettes, sculptural one-pieces, vibrant prints and flowing resort looks that set the tone for Summer 2026. It’s an evening of color, confidence and destination-inspired drama.

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