West Colfax evolves and diversifies to create hip, urban neighborhood

The West Colfax neighborhood continues to develop and diversify as former commercial sites become housing and mixed-use projects.

“It’s been interesting to watch the area change the past couple of years,” says Megan Porter, 8z real estate agent. “The area has been revitalizing for a while, and we’re not seeing any signs that development will slow any time soon.”

Porter says the neighborhood, named for its major traffic artery, draws a mix of homebuyers, including young professionals, young families, and first-time buyers. It also appeals to investors and developers who are looking for their next opportunity.

With a median closing price of $599,000, properties have appreciated 11 percent over the past year and stay on the market for seven days, Porter says.

Allie Carlson, West + Main managing broker, says development in the area south of Sloan’s Lake is driving up prices and beautifying the neighborhood. “We’re seeing pockets where prices are approaching $900,000 to $1 million,” she says.

In addition to the area’s traditional single-family classic bungalows and brick Tudor homes, new development adds contemporary townhomes, rowhomes, duplexes, and condos.

New development projects in the neighborhood include Aspen Row, a luxury townhome project with rooftop patios, and Lakehouse, a 12-story condo project at 4200 W. 17th Ave. that overlooks Sloan’s Lake and will become the third Denver metro location for Cholon Modern Asian bistro.

An active, thriving neighborhood

The active neighborhood offers recreation opportunities at Sloan’s Lake and easy access to downtown and the Denver Tech Center via Colfax Avenue or light rail. It’s also an easy drive to get to the mountains.

With its hip, urban feel, the neighborhood offers an eclectic mix of dining opportunities, including Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Sloans Lake, Sidewok Café, Frank’s Bar-b-que, Odell Brewing Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse & Pizzeria, The Patio at Sloans, El Consome De Morelos, Los Mesones Restaurant, the original Big Daddy’s Pizza, and Mizuumi Ramen & Sake.

The West Colfax Business Improvement District was formed in 2006 to help implement the goals of the West Colfax Plan. The group’s priority was to promote adopting Main Street zoning along the busy street, which initially connected to central Denver via streetcar.

The group continues to promote business expansion, investment, development, and neighborhood revitalization as it works to make West Colfax Avenue Denver’s sustainable Main Street.

A long history

The West Colfax Association of Neighbors, known as WECAN, serves the neighborhood by bringing neighbors together through a mix of social events and volunteer opportunities, including two neighborhood cleanup days and spring tree planting.

Although WECAN was founded in

2009, the Denver neighborhood was incorporated in 1887. The neighborhood’s namesake street was originally known as the Golden Road and was the main corridor between Golden and Denver. The Colfax-larimer viaduct was built in 1917 to connect the neighborhood with downtown Denver. In 1938, Colfax Avenue became part of the transcontinental route known as

U.S. 40. Colfax Avenue, a 26-mile stretch from Aurora through Denver and Lakewood to Golden, remains the longest street in the U.S.

Sara B. Hansen has been an editor and writer for more than 20 years.

Her professional background includes editing positions at The Denver Post, The Des Moines Register, The Fort Collins Coloradoan, and At Home with Century 21. She’s also the founder and editor of Dogsbestlife.com and the author of “The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels.”