¡Viva! Streets Denver
Over the summer of 2023, the Denver Streets Partnership worked with the Downtown Denver Partnership along with other community organizations to put together ¡Viva! Streets Denver. Through a series of four events, ¡Viva! Streets aimed to celebrate Denver’s unique and vibrant neighborhoods by closing off approximately 3.5 miles of Broadway and Welton Streets to cars. On the Sundays of May 14, June 4, July 9, and August 6, these two major roadways were instead flooded with people walking, biking, rolling, running, and dancing through the streets, showing folks exactly what streets have the potential to offer without the threat of cars.
Our Role
¡Viva! Streets Denver was hosted by our friends at the Downtown Denver Partnership, but DSP played a critical role in the events’ success by coordinating business outreach, assisting with activity hub planning, and recruiting volunteers for each of the four events.
By the numbers:
- Over 250 businesses engaged with
- Over 425 total volunteers
- Over 200 donuts purchased for the ¡Viva! Streets donut eating competitions
- Over 75 t-shirts that our program manager, Sam, put on in order to recruit volunteers
May 14 photos
July 9 photos
August 6 photos
The Future of ¡Viva! Streets
It has yet to be determined whether ¡Viva! Streets is happening again in 2024, but we’re certainly advocating for another year of car-free events in the heart of Denver. To secure the future of this impactful series, event organizers need to hear from participants who enjoyed their experience! Please complete this survey to share your thoughts about the event(s) you attended.
Media Coverage
- Viva Streets should be permanently funded – Life on Denver Transit
- Broadway and Welton Street will be car-free again this Sunday for Viva Streets Denver
- Coloradans gather for another installment of ¡Viva! Streets Denver
- Broadway & Welton Street close through downtown for !Viva Streets! event
- Three-plus miles of Broadway, Welton will go car-free for ‘ciclovía’ on four Sundays this year
Our work in shared and open streets
Sparking imagination and joy is a key part of the Denver Streets Partnership’s mission to reduce our city’s unsustainable dependence on cars and design communities that put people first. Initiatives like ¡Viva! Streets Denver demonstrate possibilities for our streets and public spaces to evolve and meet the needs of the community. Other similar initiatives we have worked with community members on over the years include a wide range of neighborhood-led tactical urbanism projects; Park(ing) Day; events like the Sun Valley Viaduct Night Markets and Mid-Autumn Festival that combine public art and placemaking with multicultural music, food, and celebrations; pandemic patio expansions; and our ongoing advocacy for Shared and Open Streets.