Reimagining Downtown Denver,
One Storefront at a Time
Denver Economic Development & Opportunity and the Downtown Denver Partnership have teamed up to activate storefronts on Denver’s most prominent commercial district: the 16th Street Mall. Based on Round 1 Pilot stage findings in 2022, the second program round expands on and enhances the original program design, including five (5) newly activated spaces in Upper Downtown and two application tracks:
Explorer Track - for experienced Colorado retail store owners (2 spaces) and bakery/café operators (1 space) who have not yet tested a downtown Denver location
Maker Track - for Colorado entrepreneurs who have developed a successful retail product and require additional technical assistance to develop their brand before moving into storefront operations
Explorer Track
Maker Track
Maker Track products will be showcased in a shared retail space operated by an experienced retail collective operator selected earlier in the year through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process. All Maker Track entrepreneurs will have access to customized financial literacy workshops through the retail collective sponsor, Wells Fargo.
The application period for Popup Denver Round 2 is now closed. Applications are now under review, and selected applicants will be notified by the end of March.