Reasons to Love Denver 2021: Streets for the People

When the world was upended in March 2020, civic leaders took quick action. They closed sections of streets in Denver and nearby cities to vehicular traffic, allowing shops to extend services right onto the pavement. What started as a lifeline for local businesses gave us life, too. The makeshift seating transformed ordinary roads into alfresco safe havens, where we could grab beers, shop, and gather with friends. Some of these streets are slated to reopen to motorists, but a few are being considered for semipermanent closures: In March, Arvada’s City Council moved forward on testing closures in Olde Town for a five-year period, and officials in Louisville extended its Outdoor Dining program on Main Street through November 1. We suggest you hit these convivial streets while you still can.

Louisville

Closure: Main Street, from Walnut to Elm streets, with east-west street access open; in effect through November 1
Indulge: Chill out Hawaiian-style with a frosty delight at Punch Buggy Shave Ice.
Caffeinate: Get your jolt with a seasonal latte offering from Moxie Bread Co.
Sweat: Breathe deep and stretch out at one of Yoga Junction’s outdoor classes.
Don’t Miss: Peruse the Louisville Farmers Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through early October.

Arvada

Closures: Olde Wadsworth Boulevard between Grant Place and West 57th Avenue, then again between West 57th Avenue and Grandview Avenue, and a one-block stretch of Grandview Avenue in front of the RTD G Line stop; in effect for the next five years
Sip: Quaff one of the 1,400-plus whiskeys on the menu at School House Kitchen & Libations, located in Arvada’s original schoolhouse.
Eat: Dig into creative vegan fare at So Radish.
Create: Make a masterpiece at Into the Fire, A Paint Your Own Pottery Studio.
Indulge: Savor German-style coffee cakes and strudels at Rheinländer Bakery.

Larimer Square

Closure: Larimer Street between 14th and 15th streets; in effect through October 2022
Dine: Try everything on Bao Brewhouse’s inventive Chinese menu and pair it all with a Spice Trade Chai Milk Stout.
Shop: Find fresh, funky kicks inside Scarpaletto Shoes.
Browse: Flip through the fine selection of vinyl at Larimer Records Cafe.
Indulge: Satisfy your sweet tooth with crispy, light macarons at Drunken Bakery.

Boulder

Closure: Pearl Street between Ninth and 11th streets and a segment of 10th Street; in effect through October
Dine: Slurp a braised beef noodle soup at Zoe Ma Ma.
Shop: Buy a one-of-a-kind wood piece—perhaps a solid ash standing desk?—from Dancing Grains Woodworks.
Covet: Find vintage jewelry and other stylish consignments at Classic Facets.
Score: Pull up a rooftop seat at Avanti Food & Beverage Boulder, the town’s iteration of the high-concept food hall, and relish deli noshes from Rye Society.