The University of Colorado Denver is an excellent place to study for all kinds of reasons. One of the biggest reasons is our central location in downtown Denver. Don't know much about Denver? Check out this list of reasons to love living and learning
in Denver:
AURARIA CAMPUS
The University of Colorado Denver is part of the Auraria Campus, home to one fifth of all higher education students in Colorado. The campus is shared by CU Denver, Community College of Denver, and Metropolitan State
University of Denver, which means we have access to tri-institutional entities with greater resources, such as the library, bookstore, early learning center, LGBTQ student services office, and performing arts facility.
LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN DENVER
Our newly renovated building is located across Cherry Creek near the heart of campus. We are situated in Denver’s lower downtown (LoDo), a historic district of brick buildings filled with apartments,
vibrant shops, restaurants, bars and galleries.
CLOSE TO PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITIES
Since many of their offices are nearby, it is convenient for professional designers and planners to participate in our program, bringing relevant professional experience directly into our design studios and seminar classes. These professional
firms and agencies provide opportunities for internships and employment.
ATTENTIVE TO PLANNING AND DESIGN
Denver benefits from a legacy of civic investment and progressive planning, and is seen as a national model for innovation in contemporary planning and design. Some of the biggest national and international names in the field, including Michael Graves,
Daniel Libeskind, I.M. Pei, Philip Johnson, David Adjaye and Brad Cloepfil, have designed important buildings for the city. Gio Ponti’s only building in North America is the Denver Art Museum.
URBAN CENTER
Denver is a metroplex of 2.6 million people. It is the largest urban center in a 500-mile radius, and serves as the cultural, intellectual and economic capital of the expansive Rocky Mountain region. Denver was ranked #1 in U.S. News and World
Report's Real Estate section's "Top 20 Best Places to Live in the U.S." in 2016. Added bonus: Colorado
ranked #9 on Kiplinger's list of states with the hottest job markets in 2016.
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
Denver sits at the eastern
edge of the Rocky Mountains, one of the most spectacular natural
settings in the world. The mountains provide valuable natural and
strategic resources, and abundant recreational amenities including some
of the world’s
top ski resorts. The Rockies also present interesting challenges for
designers and planners working in this region, who have to manage
continued population growth while protecting the fragile eco-system.
RECREATION AND HEALTH
The Cherry Creek
recreation trail connects to almost 850 miles of paved bike paths
throughout the metro area. It has the largest city park system in the
United States; including the Denver Mountain Parks its total park
acreage would cover Manhattan
Island in New York. Denver was ranked #7 on the American Fitness Institute's list of healthiest metro areas in 2017 and #4 on the list
of Best Cities for Staying Young in the RealAge 2014 Youngest & Oldest Cities Report.
CULTURE AND ARTS
Denver's cultural scene
includes the Denver Performing Arts Complex, International Film
Festival, and buildings by noted architects housing the Denver Art
Museum, Clyfford Still Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art and History
Colorado Center. In addition,
there are specialty museums celebrating nature and science, outdoor
arts, children, transportation, air and space, miniatures, dolls and
toys, and the Black American West Museum and Museo de las
Americas. Nearby Red Rocks Amphitheater
is a favorite venue for musicians and fans.
EASY TRANSPORTATION
Denver is one of the
first cities in the United States to launch a European-style
bike-sharing program with 80+ automated stations around town. Many
students ride to school, or use the “Eco-pass” on the bus and light-rail
network with its stations
a few blocks away.
AMONG TOP 10 “COOLEST” CITIES
Forbes magazine ranked Denver as the 10th-coolest city in the U.S. in
2017, citing Denver for its youth,
coffee shops and beer breweries. Kiplinger’s Personal
Finance picked Denver as one of its Top 10 coolest cities for young
professionals for its nightlife, light rail, Wi-Fi access, and the Rocky
Mountains. Kiplinger's also
ranked Denver #5 in the list of Best Cities for New College Grads in 2014.
A SPORTSFAN'S PARADISE
Denver is home to
professional teams the Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado
Rockies, Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Rapids.
SUSTAINABLE POLICIES
The City and County of
Denver again in 2012 ranked #4 out of 54 of the nation’s largest cities
for its sustainable policies, programs and activities by the national
sustainability advocacy group Our Green Cities.
IN A HAPPY STATE
According to the 2015 Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, Colorado
is the fourth happiest state in the nation. The ranking is based on
data in five categories: Purpose (liking what you do each day and being
motivated to achieve your goals), social relationships, financial
security, community (liking where you live, feeling safe and having
pride in your community) and physical health.