Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill,  Denver, Colorado 80203, 80218

A Historic Neighborhood

Boundaries:

Broadway on the West, Colfax on the North, Downing on the East and Speer Boulevard on the South.

Denver was only six years old when Henry Brown laid claim to hill Southeast of the new city. Even though statehood was still 12 years in the future, Henry Brown envisioned the hill as the ideal place for a state capitol, casting aside the popular laughter surrounding his “Brown’s Bluff”. In 1868 he donated the land occupied by Colorado’s Capitol Building, platting the remainder in a true East-West grid for residential use. With the exception of Downtown extending Northeast into today’s Curtis Park neighborhood, Denver’s future growth stayed with the East-West grid first laid out by Henry Brown.

J.W. Smith brought life to Henry’s vision by building Smith’s Ditch, bringing water to the hill. With water came development, and soon the wealthy of Denver flocked to the hill, and Grant Street became “Millionaire’s Row”, and Colfax Avenue became the site for luxurious mansions.

The “Silver Crash” of 1893 slowed development on the hill and everywhere else in Denver’s silver sensitive economy. The mansions along Colfax gave way to commercial interests, and the depression of the 1930’s saw residential fortunes dim even further. Post war housing needs saw the destruction of many of the stately but tired mansions to make way for apartments and condominium’s. By the 1970’s, a few people noticed that Denver’s heritage was quickly disappearing, and preservation efforts began. Many mansions were saved by converting them to office uses, and other creative ways were conceived to save the city’s historical residences.

Today, Capitol Hill is one of Denver’s most diverse neighborhoods. Close to Downtown and the State of Colorado office buildings that surround the Capitol, the area benefits from the best public transportation in the Metropolitan Denver area. Residential dwelling prices run from a low prices just under $100,000. to highs nearing $800,000 for a large single family residence. Close to restaurants and cultural activities, Capitol has much to recommend it as great place to live.

Today’s home buyer will find few detached homes available on Capitol Hill. Most of the historic mansions were torn down in the 1960’s to make way for hi-rise condos. Of those historic residences that are left, many have been converted to multifamily buildings. Many of the conversions have been completed in a tasteful if not luxurious manner, and make a great eclectic counterpoint to the many hi-rise buildings. In addition to the hi-rise buildings, there are many apartment conversions offering everything from small studios to spacious quarters with the charm of the first half of the last century. Many of the more modern hi-rise buildings offer living amenities such as a swimming pool and exercise room, underground parking and secure facilities.

Driving Time to Major Destinations From Capitol Hill

Downtown: 2-10 minutes
Denver International Airport (DIA): 40 minutes
Boulder: 45 minutes
Denver Tech Center: 35 minutes
Meridian: 45 minutes