Colfax Avenue is the longest commercial street in the U.S.A. after first appearing on Denver maps in 1868 as a dirt road and then becoming a bustling trolley route in The Mile High City in the 1890s. Playboy once referred to Colfax as "the longest, wickedest street in America."
Today, the street is lined with an eclectic mix of eateries, bars, brewpubs and shops, as well as entertainment and live music venues like the Ogden and the Bluebird theaters. These iconic performance spaces have hosted artists from across the country including Bob Dylan, Michael Franti, Snoop Dogg, Lorde, the Trey Anastasio Band, and local bands like Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats.
The street's diversity is best seen by exploring on foot, starting at the State Capitol and heading east to Upper Colfax and East Colfax.
See the neighborhood map below to start exploring.
EXPLORE EAST COLFAX AVENUE
Tattered Cover Book Store
This iconic Denver store transformed the historic Lowenstein Theater into its home, putting a coffeehouse in the old theater's lobby and dozens of bookshelves where the stage and orchestra pit once were.
Sie FilmCenter
As the permanent home of the Denver Film Society, the Sie FilmCenter is Denver's only year-round cinematheque. The Sie FilmCenter presents a weekly-changing calendar of first-run exclusives and arthouse revivals - over 600 per year, all shown in their original language and format.
Locals Know
The area has the most condensed array of international dining in the city, with a range of authentic restaurants, from Greek to Ethiopian and is also known as a local music scene mecca.
Enjoy the taproom or the patio at Thirsty Monk Brewery, featuring a tap list of award-winning Belgian Rooted Modern Ales.
Get your chocolate fix at Chocolate Lab, a local chocolate shop, restaurant and cocktail bar that combines art and science with out-of-the-chocolate box thinking!
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Colfax Marathon
Each May, runners attempt to conquer Denver's high altitude by running the marathon and half marathon.
Denver Film Festival
Every November, the Denver Film Society hosts the largest premier film celebration in the Rocky Mountain Region, featuring independent films and Hollywood stars.
SeriesFest
In June, the Denver Film Society collaborates with this festival to showcase the best new TV pilots from established and emerging content creators.
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