DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Broncos are showing success on the field, winning their past two home games, while the Denver Nuggets are back at Ball Arena. The teams are renewing team spirit and bringing bigger crowds back to the downtown area.
“Wynkoop just has a cool vibe,” said one Broncos fan.
Business owners told FOX31 seeing more fans downtown comes at a time when the industry is challenged by rising insurance costs and supply issues.
“All the fans come here afterward it’s just a lot more fun, a lot more exciting,” said Britany Borel of A Novel Affair.
Colorado Restaurant Association cites a Toast study indicating Denver restaurants saw a 9% decline in transactions between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2024, and many are still trying to recover.
“When we have the weekends, we have games here, and it does make a difference,” said one Wynkoop Street business owner.
The Wynkoop Street closure is a result of the partnership between the Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency, the Department of Transportation and Downtown Denver Partnership.
“I think it’s beautiful not having cars on the road; everyone drives like a maniac out here,” said an electric unicycle rider known as “Spaceman Sam.”
Many fans said safety is a main concern in the downtown area, so having an option for a pedestrian area is something they support.
“I think sports bring a lot of people downtown, bring a lot of good energy and a lot of people get out and spend some money, keep the economy going,” said Spaceman Sam.
Rideshare services run by Uber and Lyft and taxi cabs won’t be affected, as 16th to 17th streets will remain open. The block will reopen to cars on Nov. 1 at 8 a.m.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
