Denver’s RiNo Art District Reopens City Block to Vehicle Traffic
A city block in Denver’s RiNo Art District will reopen to vehicle traffic Monday, marking the end of a miniature pedestrian mall that sprang up during the height of the pandemic. The 2900 block of Larimer Street has been closed to cars since 2020, allowing businesses to expand outdoor seating onto the roadway.
Flanked by breweries and restaurants, the closure outlasted the public health crisis that restricted seating at bars and restaurants. However, the closure developed a mixed reputation among locals, with some expressing concerns that limiting vehicle access also limited their customer base.
The RiNo Art District announced Friday that the street would reopen, as a nonprofit coalition of storefronts on the block opted not to apply for a permit to continue the closure. The district recognized the challenges raised by surrounding business owners about the impact on vehicular accessibility and operations in the district.
Kraig Weaver, owner of The Block Distilling Co. at 2990 Larimer St. and board member of the Larimer Street Project, explained that a lack of consensus among business owners in the area led to the decision not to push for a permit. The RiNo Business Improvement District also considered applying for a permit to keep the street closed but ultimately decided against it.
Weaver mentioned that Larimer Street Project vendors haven’t ruled out approaching their neighbors again in the future to work with the city on designing a pedestrian-centered shopping experience in the 2900 block that more of RiNo can support. However, any future plans will involve extensive input from all stakeholders and may take several months to finalize.
As of December, Larimer Square and Glenarm Place between 15th and 17th streets were the only other early-pandemic street closures that had remained in place in Denver.
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Originally Published: February 1, 2025 at 4:46 PM MST
