SPORTS DRIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The banks of the South Platte River have become a hotbed for new developments — thanks to local sports teams.

The Denver Broncos announced they plan to relocate their stadium to the historic Burnham Yard, which could potentially bring the city two new neighborhoods, as Mayor Mike Johnston also aims to attract investments to build on the site of the current stadium.

Kroenke Sports and Entertainment released its first official draft plans to create an entertainment district around Ball Area, the first phase of its redevelopment of the sport venue’s 50 acres of parking lots. 

And further south, a new sports team is looking to make history at Santa Fe Yards. 

Denver Summit FC plans to build a women’s soccer stadium by 2028 at the former Gate Rubber Factory, as businesses hope the team can bring life to an area that has been empty for two decades. The team ran into delays at City Council, as councilmembers had more questions on Denver’s role in financing the project.

MAJOR DOWNTOWN DESTINATION GETS NEW LOOK AND NEW NAME

This is the year construction finished on the 16th Street Mall — oh wait, it goes by 16th Street now!

The lengthy redevelopment hit businesses hard, pushing retail vacancies up to nearly 30% at one point. But as the street reopened and rebranded, city leaders hope the refreshed look will lure people and businesses back downtown. 

So far, foot traffic in November increased 26% compared to the same time in 2024, according to data from the Downtown Denver Partnership.

The city’s urban core is seeing office and retail leasing activity pick up and the Downtown Denver Development Authority is investing in apartment conversions, attracting new businesses and the quasi-government organization also plans to buy the Denver Pavilions and its surrounding parking lots to find a new owner to redevelop the property.

Time will tell if these investments would pay off and bring downtown back to highs not seen since the pandemic.

BUSINESSES ON EAST COLFAX ASK FOR HELP

As the last golden door opened on 16th Street, more orange barricades went up elsewhere.

Last year, Denver began construction on the Bus Rapid Transit route for East Colfax Avenue. Throughout 2025, businesses across the road began to feel the compounding toll of the construction.

About 50 businesses received a Business Impact Opportunity Fund grant from Denver’s economic development agency, the eligibility of which required businesses to show their revenues had dropped by 20% or more since construction began.

Several businesses have closed this year, but new ones also came in. The La Vista Motel, a historic motel with a new retro vibe, reopened this year after a major restoration project to bring more life to the street.

Overall, some businesses are excited to see the prospects of the BRT project and hope it can bring in more commuters to Colfax. But some wonder if they can survive the hit and make it to the other side.