Page 7 - Denver, CO Adaptive Reuse Program

While the photos, examples and recommendations in this report
focus on East Colfax, the lessons learned, and strategies recom-
mended could apply to additional areas of the City in the future.
The images below show a handful of buildings along the East
Colfax corridor taken in October 2019 that illustrate a range of
opportunities for adaptive reuse projects. Appendix A provides
additional images and identifies key elements of many properties
along East Colfax that should be considered in an adaptive reuse
project. Illegal Pete’s at 2001 E Colfax
was a recent adaptive reuse project
Project Methodology that saw the conversion of a former
Information in this Paper derives from a series of interviews with restaurant into this restaurant and
staff representing departments that typically engage in permitting bar. As seen above, an extensive out-
door patio was added to the building
adaptive reuse projects. Other material comes from focus group during the adaptive reuse project.
meetings with a selection of property and business owners along
East Colfax who have experienced the permitting processes in
their adaptive reuse projects. Other research includes a review of
Denver’s existing regulations and permitting processes as well as a
brief look into other communities with adaptive reuse programs.

The maps above, created for the East and East Central Area Plans, identify properties that have historic or adaptive re-
use potential along the East Colfax corridor. These maps also illustrate the pilot study area - stretching from Broadway
to Yosemite Street along East Colfax.

Adaptive Reuse Strategy Paper 3