LoDo History

	Denver Collection: A Visit to LoDo by Barbara Foula

Following a devastating fire in 1863, wooden buildings were rebuilt forming LoDo's characteristic simple red brick design, unique cornices, and stately arched windows.

An early frontier town called St. Charles, this area became a bawdy saloon and red-light district in the 1920s. By the 1970s it was primarily warehouses. Many were abandoned.

LoDo at the turn of the 20th century.

Early “pioneers” began reclaiming this area as early as the mid-1970s. In the late 1980s, some of the historic buildings were re-developed into mixed-use establishments, combining residential and commercial. A concerted influx of residents occurred in the mid-‘90s.

Construction of Coors Field in 1993 became a catalyst for development, and one by one all of the historic buildings have been renovated. Surface parking lots and vacant fields also provided opportunities for new construction, mostly residential units.

LoDo Today

Denver Collection: Coors Field Opening Day by Barbara Froula

LoDo epitomizes ideal urban living. It has restaurants, art galleries, coffee houses, and many residential lofts. People come to LoDo to live, work, and play.

The success of LoDo in large part is due to the adventuresome spirit of the people living here. My husband and I have called LoDo our home for the past 12 years.

In LoDo, everything is within walking distance: Coors Field Pepsi Center Denver Center for Performing Arts 16th Street Mall Tattered Cover Bookstore The Oxford Hotel Wynkoop Brewery Great Restaurants
	Denver's historic Union Station.

	The Tattered Cover book store in LoDo is a popular destination.

Union Station, a beautiful historic station, connects Denver residents to the Colorado Rockies via the Ski Train to Winter Park Ski Resort. Soon, Union Station will be our inter-modal transportation hub, connecting travelers, commuters and residents to and from the Denver Metro area.

The Rio Grande Ski Train takes passengers from LoDo to Winter Park Ski Resort.

Lower Downtown, a B-7 District, is bordered by Larimer to Wynkoop Streets, and Speer Boulevard to 20th. Other nearby neighborhoods include Central Platte Valley and Riverfront, The BallPark Neighborhood, No Do, Five Points, and Curtis Park.

Contact me for a walking tour of LoDo and the surrounding areas.

The Wynkoop Brewing Company is Colorado's oldest brewpub and a favorite LoDo watering hole and pool hall. (Photo courtesy of the Wynkoop Brewing Company.)

Other LoDo Websites

• The LoDo District
• St. Charles Neighborhood Group