Alexa Kelly, with Colorado’s Legislative Council Staff, recommends a trip to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, where the stage has been graced (and loved) by the Beatles, U2, Bonnie Raitt and many, many more. The park’s hiking trails are ideal just for strolling around for a couple of hours.
By Stewart Schley | Aug. 1, 2022 | State Legislatures News | Print
Colorado lawmakers, staffers and public policy leaders share their top tips for enjoying your time in the Mile High City.
“Travel time” in this list reflects about how long it takes to get to each destination from the Colorado Convention Center by car in moderate traffic. Many locations also are walkable. All addresses are in Denver unless indicated otherwise.
Colorado Senate President Pro Tem Kerry Donovan doesn’t really want to divulge where Denver’s best bar is—but in the spirit of NCSL camaraderie, she will. Ditto for U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, who knows where you can find the greatest Mexican food in town (subject to some respectful disagreement). If you’re angling for a day hike, we’ve got just the ticket, courtesy of Colorado legislative research analyst Alexa Kelly. And House Minority Leader Hugh McKean is here to tell you where to rub shoulders with lawmakers and lobbyists over a beverage.
From sunny hiking trails to memorable meals to the trippy but irresistible attraction known as Meow Wolf (read on), there’s no shortage of fun and festive places to visit during your stay in the Mile High City.
But don’t take our word for it. We’ve asked a kaboodle of Colorado legislators, staffers and public policy leaders for tips, hints and ideas about how to get the most from your visit. If you’ve got a few hours to spare during your Summit experience, try out one of these can’t-miss ideas for exploring and enjoying, all within reach of downtown Denver. Fire up your smartphone, hitch a ride and enjoy!
Also, see our NCSL staff picks, an insider’s guide to the Mile High City’s diversions.
This modern Vietnamese eatery, nestled just a few blocks from the Colorado Capitol, is a popular hangout for legislators, lobbyists and foodies. Summer hours run until 10 p.m. for you late-nighters. Don’t leave Denver without trying the Anise Deluxe Bánh Mì, billed as “the best sandwich in the world.”
This one’s a bit of a drive—but it’s a lovely one, straight west on Interstate 70 to a small mountain town that was once a mining epicenter and still drips with local, rustic character. It happens to be Fenberg’s favorite bar for a reason: He owns it. (“I’m kind of biased,” he admits.) Converted from an 1800s bakery, it’s guaranteed to make for interesting conversation, colorful local characters, and a memorable drive into Colorado’s Rocky Mountain splendor.
This rustic, only-in-Colorado haunt is just steps from Denver’s 10th and Osage light rail station and boasts two claims to fame. First, it was issued Colorado Liquor License No. 1, Denver’s first, after Prohibition. Second, you’ll find an impressive collection of wall-mounted deer and elk heads admiring your meal and drinks from above. Clapham lauds the Buck for its “super-kookie Old West decor with lots of game on the walls and a steak-heavy menu.” That plus a killer happy hour make it an easy recommend.
Wanna become an instant Colorado legislative insider? Go no farther than this iconic watering hole and steakhouse for politicos, lobbyists, staffers and various hangers-on. As McKean points out, it’s “where to be if you want to see people that you ought to know.” The Grille rivals Charlie Brown’s (right) for bragging rights as the epicenter of Colorado politics (aside from, you know, the Capitol itself). Plus, you’ll get to hang out in Denver’s historic Larimer Square neighborhood, where outdoor string lights bring a charming ambience to the streets at night. For Summit foodies, McKean also suggests a visit to Steuben’s (523 E. 17th St.) with a simple directive: “Order the fries.”
For decades, it has been a go-to for Colorado lawmakers. Tucked into the first floor of the Colburn Hotel, Charlie Brown’s has probably spawned as many bills and compromises and seen as much political wheeling and dealing as any conference room over at the Capitol itself. Sidle up to the bar and order a red beer (half suds, half tomato juice) for the authentic Colorado political experience.
Esgar describes this Capitol Hill Italian eatery as “amazing, delicious, small and quiet,” and says it’s her favorite Denver place. That’s good enough for us. Alternatively, if you’re noodling around for noodles, Esgar recommends Uncle Ramen (www.uncleramen.com) at 95 S. Pennsylvania St. It’s an unassuming spot to which she applies a one-word description: “Amazing.”
Colorado’s senior senator has a reputation for pursuing and achieving bipartisan consensus, so you’ll have to forgive him if this recommendation generates pushback from some other Colorado policy leaders (see Los Dos Potrillos below). Still, Bennet wasted no time in casting his vote for best Denver Mexican restaurant, and really, who are we to argue?
This Los Dos eatery, one of three Denver-area locations, is tucked into a nondescript strip mall in the suburban community of Centennial. But don’t let the ordinary setting fool you. Holbert swears by what he calls “the best Mexican food I have ever found anywhere.” The high praise stems partly from the eclectic menu, which he says you won’t find elsewhere: Mexican seafood stew and the carne adobada pork are among the specialties. The senator also mentioned something about margaritas …
This brewpub boasts an expansive outdoor patio and beer garden with eye-pleasing views of the Colorado foothills. It’s adjacent to the Golden Bike Park, a popular cycling destination, and it offers an entryway to the North Table Mountain trail system. That’s not all: On the south side of North Table Mountain, there’s a popular rock-climbing area that overlooks the Coors Brewery. Hansen singles out New Terrain as a sort of only-in-Colorado mix: “a hike and drink, and taste of the Colorado lifestyle,” he says. Cheers!
Moreno’s district mostly spans Commerce City, north of Denver, where he swears by Mexican spots El Jardine and La Casa del Ray. But among downtown Denver restaurants, this one is his “absolute favorite,” spinning up creative interpretations of Israeli food. Find it tucked into The Source Hotel in the city’s trendy RiNo (River North Art District) neighborhood.
Donovan describes the one-and-only Satire Lounge as her neighborhood bar. “I don’t really want to share with people, but in the spirit of NCSL, I will,” she says. With its iconic neon sign, retro vibe and location along the famous (or perhaps infamous) Colfax Avenue, the Satire epitomizes old-school Denver. It’s now being run by the grandson of the original owner, much to Donovan’s delight. “In a time of us losing so many institutions because of COVID, it’s great to see a place like Pete’s Satire survive,” she says. Bonus: If you get hungry, the Satire serves up Mexican fare, and right next door is the companion Pete’s Kitchen diner.
It’s the place that Hick built: Before he became the state’s governor, then its junior U.S. senator, Hickenlooper founded Colorado’s first brewpub in 1988. The lower-downtown brewery and eatery remains a centerpiece of Colorado’s thriving craft beer scene. (Hickenlooper sold his ownership stake in 2007.) Not sure you’ll see the senator there, but you never know. In any event, the beer is definitely worthy. (Fair warning: It’s strong.)
The caucus agreed on this one with minimal deliberation. This historic landmark near Boulder is home to Chautauqua Park and the iconic Flatirons rock formations, along with some of the state’s best hiking. It’s well worth hitching a ride from downtown Denver. Most of the park’s 40 miles of trails are easy to moderate in difficulty, and you’ll come back as an honorary Coloradan, we promise. The Chautauqua Dining Hall serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Get out, get moving and get Rocky Mountain high with a half-day climbing adventure. Climbing enthusiast Pack recommends a guided instructional session from Denver Adventures as a great, safe introduction to outdoor climbing. You’ll shimmy up and around manageable climbs near Conifer, a mountain town southwest of Denver. Or, for those with just a few hours available, the Movement indoor climbing gym in Denver’s Baker neighborhood (www.movementgyms.com) can satisfy the yearn to scale something vertical, with walk-ins welcome.
Bedazzled with fluorescent colors, psychedelic geometry, some inexplicable sounds and, basically, a mind-expanding labyrinth of rooms and crevices tailor-made for exploring, it might sound like a spot optimized for the kiddos. Not so: Even “senior” members of the caucus loved it when they visited not long ago, says Joshua Bly, the caucus communications director.
This walk-through house tour celebrates the larger-than-life persona of the Denver-born activist and philanthropist known as the “Unsinkable Molly Brown,” who famously survived the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Speaking of activism, Woodrow also suggests a Denver twofer: Cap your visit with a stop at The Church Nightclub (www.coclubs.com/church), a reimagined 1865 church that invites you to stroll through multiple rooms, each featuring different live music. From the Molly Brown House, you can zing your way there in about five minutes by car.
An easy walk from the convention center if you’ve got an hour or two, the museum dazzles this summer with a pair of exhibits showcasing breakthrough “geometric” artists whose paintings draw from Indigenous cultures: “Dyani White Hawk: Speaking to Relatives” and “Eamon Ore-Giron: Competing with Lightning/Rivalizando con el Relámpago.” Herod puts it at the top of her gotta-see list.
This off-the-path Denver gem makes for an unforgettable experience, especially for the history buffs among us. It’s named after the late Ralph Carr, who served as Colorado’s governor from 1939-43 and distinguished himself from fellow Western governors by vehemently opposing the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII. Enjoy interactive exhibits, a trivia game testing your knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, and a chance to preside as an appellate judge over four cases.
If you’ve got the afternoon free (and a ride at the ready), don’t miss one of Colorado’s most revered destinations. Stunning angular boulders surround a 9,500-seat outdoor theater whose stage has been graced (and loved) by bands and performers including the Beatles, U2, Bonnie Raitt and about a gazillion others. Listen closely and you might still hear echoes of a legendary 1978 Bruce Springsteen show. Don’t worry if there’s no performance scheduled; Kelly points out that Red Rocks and its companion hiking trails are ideal just for strolling around for a couple of hours.
Have an hour or two? Skip on down to one of Denver’s signature public parks, replete with two lakes, plenty of geese and (leashed) dogs, a running/walking/biking path, a bocce ball court and, on nice days, lots of sun-worshipping, volleyball-spiking, cornhole-playing recreationists. A day in the park can do wonders for the soul.
Denver has two famous towering blue pieces of public art: one is beloved—and one bedevils.
First, the beloved: a 40-foot-tall blue bear peering in through the windows of the Colorado Convention Center. The artist, the late Lawrence Argent, said he wanted to acknowledge Colorado wildlife and reflect curiosity about all the ideas circulating and conversations taking place inside the center. The blue color was a happy accident when a small prototype from a 3D printer came back in blue, and the artist went with it.
The playful sculpture, called “I See What You Mean,” is a popular backdrop for photos, and small replicas of it are sold in the gift shops at the convention center and the nearby Denver Art Museum.
The other icon is the 32-foot-tall brilliant blue muscular mustang with red-lit eyes, rearing on its hind legs at the entrance to Denver International Airport. The sculpture, by the late Luis Jiménez, is officially titled “Mustang.”
Locals call it “Blucifer.”
It’s those demonic eyes—and the fact that part of the sculpture fell on the artist and killed him. His wife, Susan Jiménez, told Colorado Public Radio her husband had no intention of evoking evil with the work; rather, the lighted eyes were in part to honor his father, who owned a neon-sign shop where Jiménez apprenticed as a teen.
Since the work was installed at DIA in 2008, two years after the artist’s death, people have called for its removal; there was even a Facebook page titled “DIA’s Heinous Blue Mustang Has Got to Go.” But plenty of people use the name “Blucifer” with pride and like that Denver greets visitors with a dramatic piece of art that reflects power and wildness.
DIA officials have said it’s not going anywhere.
Stewart Schley is a Denver-based freelancer.
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