Capitol Hill, Denver facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Capitol Hill
Neighborhood
Colorado State Capitol Building, at the western edge of the Capitol Hill neighborhood
Country	United States of America
State	Colorado
City	Denver
Area
• Total	0.6 sq mi (2 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	16,675
• Density	27,792/sq mi (10,731/km2)

Capitol Hill is a lively neighborhood in Denver, Colorado. It's located just east of downtown. This area is known for its history and unique buildings.

The neighborhood is bordered by busy streets. These include Broadway, Downing Street, Colfax Avenue, and Seventh Avenue. While Cheesman Park is nearby, the city considers it a separate area. There's also a North Capitol Hill neighborhood, sometimes called Uptown. Colfax Avenue forms the border between these two areas.

History of Capitol Hill

From Mansions to Apartments

Capitol Hill was once home to Denver's wealthiest families. They built large, fancy houses here. But in 1893, Denver's economy faced a big problem. This event was called the Silver Crash.

After this, builders started focusing on apartments. Three old buildings still stand today. They show the architecture from that time. These are The Colonnade, Alta Court, and The Hamilton. This change meant more people rented homes. The neighborhood became a mix of single-family homes and apartments.

Changes Over Time

Capitol Hill stayed a middle-class area for many years. But after World War II, many families moved out. More people started renting homes in the neighborhood.

Another big change happened when Interstate 70 was finished. Tourists used to drive through Colfax Avenue to get downtown. Now, they used the new highway instead. This meant fewer visitors spent money in the area. Businesses on Colfax Avenue struggled.

A Creative Comeback

Over time, Capitol Hill became more affordable. Its unique buildings and city feel attracted young artists. Famous writers like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg once lived here. This led to a gradual improvement of the area.

In the 2000s, this improvement really picked up. Rents went up a lot. Many cheaper apartments became more expensive condos. Still, many older homes here don't have off-street parking. This helps keep prices a bit lower than other central neighborhoods.

Today, parts of Colfax Avenue are being updated. The goal is to make them busier and easier for walkers. Even with these changes, a walk along Colfax Avenue shows its long history. In 2012, the History Colorado Center opened nearby. This is Colorado's state history museum.

Where is Capitol Hill Located?

Capitol Hill highlighted on this map of Denver's neighborhoods.

Capitol Hill is just southeast of downtown Denver. It's a well-known residential area. Shops and businesses are found along busy roads. These include Colfax Avenue and Broadway. Other streets like East 13th and 14th Avenues also have businesses.

The neighborhood is right next to the Civic Center area. It's also next to the Colorado State Capitol. Most of Capitol Hill is already built up. Many buildings here were constructed around 1920. Some of the oldest homes in Denver are found here.

Capitol Hill shares many features with other east Denver neighborhoods. These include the hospital district. Public transportation is easy to find here. City services are also readily available.

Neighborhood Borders

• North – Colfax Avenue
• South – Seventh Avenue
• East – Downing Street
• West – Broadway

What is Capitol Hill Like?

Capitol Hill is Denver's most crowded neighborhood. It was once home to Denver's richest people. It was also where Foursquare architecture first appeared in Denver. Today, you'll find old mansions, apartments, and condo buildings.

Because so many people live in apartments, parking can be hard to find. The neighborhood is strongly influenced by the Colorado State Capitol. This important building is located within its borders. Downtown Denver is also very close.

Most businesses are on main roads. These include Colfax Avenue, East 8th Avenue, East 14th Avenue, East 13th Avenue, Lincoln Street, and Broadway. Some old mansions have become offices. This is allowed because they are historic buildings. Most offices are in the northwest part of the neighborhood.

Arts and Culture in Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill is a very diverse neighborhood in Denver. It's known as a place for artists and creative people. You can find many restaurants, clubs, and stores here. There are also concert venues and other cultural spots.

East 13th Avenue is a center for the punk community. It has shops that cater to alternative styles. Colfax Avenue is famous for its exciting nightlife. It has many concert halls like The Fillmore Auditorium. You'll also find late-night bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. During the day, you might see politicians from the Colorado State Capitol. They often meet in the neighborhood's restaurants and bars.

Capitol Hill is next to two major Denver parks. These are Civic Center Park and Cheesman Park. Both parks are popular meeting places. They host many festivals, like the People's Fair in early June.

The neighborhood has a long history of being a creative hub. The Colburn Hotel on Grant Street was once home to writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.

Popular Places to Visit

• Colorado State Capitol – The main government building for Colorado.
• Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness – A beautiful, historic church.
• Molly Brown House – Now a museum, it was once the home of "Unsinkable" Molly Brown.
• Quizno's subs – The very first location of this sandwich chain.
• Wax Trax! Records – A famous record store that opened in 1978. It inspired another store in Chicago. It's located at 13th and Washington.
• History Colorado Center – Colorado's state history museum.
• The Episcopal Church – Another historic church in the area.
• Colorado Governor's Mansion – The official residence of Colorado's governor.

Images for kids

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  Grant and 7th, near Gov's Park in Capitol Hill

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  13th and Pearl, in the heart of Capitol Hill

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  Wax Trax, 13th and Washington

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  The east side of the Colorado State Capitol in Capitol Hill