Denver Civic Center facts for kids
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Denver Civic Center
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Civic Center view of the Greek amphitheater
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Denver Colorado |
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| NRHP reference No. | 12001017 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | 1974 |
| Designated NHL | October 16, 2012 |
The Denver Civic Center is a special area in Denver, Colorado. It has two parks and many important government and cultural buildings. You can find it right in the middle of Denver, just south of the downtown area.
This whole area is a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. In 2012, a smaller part became a U.S. National Historic Landmark. It's known as a great example of the "City Beautiful" movement. This was a plan to make cities more beautiful and organized.
The Civic Center is the heart of Denver's public life. Many art, government, and cultural places are here. It's also where many festivals, parades, and public gatherings happen all year.
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Parks and Green Spaces
The Civic Center has two main parks. Civic Center Park is part of Denver's park system. It's located where Colfax Avenue and Broadway meet, two very important streets in Denver.
This park has a fountain, statues, and pretty gardens. It also features a Greek amphitheater, a war memorial, and the Voorhies Memorial Seal Pond. The park is famous for its balanced and classic design.
Next to Civic Center Park is Lincoln Park. The State of Colorado takes care of this park. It has a copy of the Liberty Bell and several memorials.
History of the Civic Center
The idea for the Civic Center came from former Denver mayor Robert W. Speer. In 1904, Mayor Speer suggested making big improvements to the city. He got these ideas from the "City Beautiful" movement. He saw examples at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Speer hired experts like Charles Mulford Robinson to plan the area. Robinson suggested extending 16th Street to the Colorado State Capitol. He also wanted to group other city buildings around a main park. This plan was very costly. Voters had to approve the money, but they said no in 1906.
Mayor Speer didn't give up. He brought together business leaders. They came up with new ideas for the Civic Center. These included a main path between the Colorado State Capitol and changing the park's edges to fit the city streets.
These plans stopped when Speer was not reelected in 1912. The new mayor brought in Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.. Olmsted was working on plans for Denver Mountain Parks. His ideas for the Civic Center included a natural area of trees and a lighted concert spot.
When Speer was reelected in 1916, he went against Olmsted's ideas. Speer hired Edward H. Bennett, an architect from Chicago. Bennett combined all the earlier plans. He added the Greek amphitheater, the Colonnade, and the seal pond. He also changed the layout of Colfax Avenue and 14th Avenue around the park.
The park officially opened in 1919. The City and County Building was finished in 1932.
Important Buildings and Places
The Civic Center has always been a key place for government, arts, history, and learning. It serves both the state of Colorado and the Denver Metropolitan Area.
Some important buildings in the Civic Center area include:
- The Denver Art Museum
- The Denver Central Library
- The Colorado State Capitol building
- The City and County Building of Denver
- The Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building
- The History Colorado Center
- The Colorado State Judicial Building
The Denver Mint is also very close, just across the street from the City and County Building.
The area has also seen new buildings added. For example, the Denver Newspaper Agency, where The Denver Post newspaper is made, is nearby. In 2004, voters approved a new Denver Justice Center. This big project was finished in 2010.
Events and Gatherings
Civic Center is known as the place for the biggest and most important cultural and public events in Colorado. Because it's where state and local government buildings are, it's also a common spot for groups to share their views.
In 1990 and 1991, the Civic Center hosted the CART Grand Prix of Denver car race.
Many important public gatherings have happened here. People held vigils for the victims of the Columbine High School massacre and 9/11. Famous people, like former presidential candidate John Kerry and former President Barack Obama, have given speeches here. In 2008, about 100,000 people came to hear Barack Obama speak.
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On October 11, 2019, a School strike for climate protest took place in Civic Center Park. Young climate activist Greta Thunberg spoke at this event.
The Civic Center also hosts many yearly events:
- January: The City and County Building has a beautiful Christmas lights display. It stays lit until the National Western Stock Show ends in mid-January.
- March: Civic Center is the end point for one of the longest St. Patrick's Day parades in the country.
- May: Denver has a large Cinco de Mayo festival held at Civic Center.
- June:
- Civic Center hosts the People's Fair. This is a fun festival with music, art, and different booths.
- PrideFest, the yearly gay pride festival, is held here. It's also the end point of the parade.
- Summer: Many theater and music shows happen throughout the summer at the Greek amphitheater.
- Summer: Every Wednesday night, the Denver Cruiser Ride stops at the Greek amphitheater. Riders call this spot the "Circle of Death."
- September: A Taste of Colorado is a food and music festival. It takes place during Labor Day weekend at the park.
- October: The park is the end point for a Columbus Day parade. This parade often brings protests from American Indian groups.
- December: The Parade of Lights ends at the City and County Building. The building is decorated with holiday lights from the start of the parade until the National Western Stock Show.
Images for kids
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Civic Center from the Colorado State Capitol
