The vibrant urban mosaic of Denver reverberates here.
Welcome to the Golden Triangle Creative District (GTCD)! The Golden Triangle is a Partner Project of Colorado Nonprofit Development Center, a nonprofit charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. created with the mission to advance the Golden Triangle as an internationally celebrated arts and culture destination by encouraging urban revitalization, economic development, and support for community and creatives.
GTCD is also the official Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) with the city of Denver
RNOs address community needs, plan events, work on projects, and discuss key updates sent to them by the city and county of Denver. Learn more about Denver community RNOs here. GTCD Board of directors are volunteers who meet monthly as well as additional committee meetings and attending meetings as representatives at the district/city/county/state level that are held by officials. Learn more about the GTCD Board of Directors here.
The Golden Triangle Creative District is a Certified District in the Colorado Creative Districts program
Creative Districts are administered by Colorado Creative Industries (CCI)—the state’s arts agency, and a division of the Office of Economic Development (OEDIT).
On June 16, 2016, CCI and The Boettcher Foundation announced the certification of six new Creative Districts across Colorado, including the Golden Triangle Creative District (press release here). Certification is awarded for a five-year period and follows a competitive, statewide review process. In 2021, GTCD was certified for a second five-year term.
State certified creative districts increase quality of life, strengthen economic vitality, and attract people from all over Colorado and the country. The program recognizes places where the arts are not only present, but actively integrated into community life, planning, and economic development.
3 Primary Arterial Streets Create a Triangle Made of 45 Blocks Packed with Cultural History
Before it became known as the Golden Triangle Creative District, the neighborhood was historically part of Denver’s Civic Center area—one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the area contained Victorian homes, small businesses, and early civic buildings clustered near the Colorado State Capitol. Under Mayor Robert Speer’s leadership between 1904 and 1919, Denver embraced the City Beautiful movement, transforming the northern edge of the neighborhood into a grand civic district centered on Civic Center Park and surrounded by cultural and government institutions. The State Capitol building was erected in the 1890’s, transforming the area into the civic anchor of Denver. This planning effort established the area as Denver’s civic and cultural heart, laying the groundwork for the museums and arts community that would eventually evolve into today’s Golden Triangle Creative District. Source: Wikipedia.
Within the boundaries of the Golden Triangle you can find Civic Center Park, the City and County of Denver offices, the Colorado State Capitol, History Colorado, the Denver Art Museum, the U.S. Mint Museum, the Clyfford Still Museum, and the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art and more. These institutions make up the civic and cultural axes of Denver, accentuating the rich mix of residential living, design offices, art galleries, restaurants, cafes, and retail that surround them.
From perusing new records and vintage clothing, to chowing down on exquisite cuisine, to marveling at the canvasses and collections of five of Denver's top musuems, the Golden Triangle is where creativity, diversity, and livability collide.
500+
BUSINESSES & INSTITUTIONS TO EXPLORE
12 Acres
festival, event, art, and chill space at Civic Center Park
GTCD
Statistics
10,000 Pounds
the weight of the Scottish Angus Cow & Calf statues at Martin Plaza
100%
likelihood that you’ll run into a dog on the street that you must pet
50 Million
coins a day printed at the U.S. Mint
RECENT HISTORY
In 2014 the Golden Triangle implemented a new Neighborhood Plan to meet the evolving market and social forces of Denver, ensuring a viable, prosperous future. In June 2016, the Golden Triangle received its official designation as a Colorado Creative District. This Creative District designation advances the Golden Triangle as an internationally celebrated arts and culture destination by encouraging urban revitalization, economic development, and support for community creatives.
Today, the Golden Triangle is flourishing. It maintains a sophisticated, storied character while enthusiastically welcoming new community members. Residents pass by extraordinary pieces of art on their walks to work; visitors explore everything from world-renowned museums to treasured local shops; and businesses choose to make their home in the energetic heart of Denver.
And yet, the best is still to come.
2014
The City of Denver and a Stakeholder Advisory Group collaborate to create and implement the Neighborhood Plan. The new Metlo formerly Broadway Plaza motel, opened its doors in early 2014, offering spaces for local businesses, start-ups, and creative ventures, and quickly became a model of adaptive reuse in Denver's Golden Triangle neighborhood.
Photo: Eater Denver
2015
The district began hosting a series of community meetings to engage local stakeholders and residents in shaping the vision for the district.
Initial public art pieces were installed, beginning to shape the district's creative aesthetic.
Photo: GTCD
2016
The Golden Triangle receives its official designation as a Colorado Creative District, cementing the Golden Triangle’s status as the hub of Denver’s innovation economy, and procuring programmatic support from Colorado Creative Industries. Efforts to brand the area as a cultural and creative hub were enhanced, including street banners and district-themed signage.
Photo: GTCD
2017
Voters approve a citywide bond package totaling $973 million for improvement projects, including $35.5 million for renovation of the Denver Art Museum, $431 million for transportation updates that will directly affect the district, and $138 million for GTCD institutions like Denver Health, the District 6 Police Station, and the Denver Central Library.
Photo: Denver Central Library, architect Michael Graves.
2018
The Golden Triangle is named one of the “2018 Best Places to Go” in the New York Times. Writer Shivani Vora states, "Denver’s downtown, particularly the Golden Triangle Creative District, is fast becoming a vibrant arts center.
Photo: Kirkland Musuem Store. reopened to the public in 2018. The new location allowed for an expanded exhibition space and improved visitor facilities.
2019
Streetscape and beautification projects, including tree plantings, improved walkways, and lighting upgrades, were completed to enhance the pedestrian experience. Programs to encourage creative businesses and artist studios to establish themselves in the district were launched.
Love This City / "Heart of the City" mural by artist Pat Milbery located on side of Leven Deli.
