Crowds boost business in downtown Denver for hopeful start to 2026

DENVER (KDVR) — The streets of downtown Denver were packed Wednesday night as hundreds gathered to ring in the new year with fireworks, family-friendly events, and a renewed sense of energy along 16th Street.

The celebration marked the first New Year’s Eve since the mall reopened from its long-awaited renovation, and while official attendance numbers are still being finalized, business owners say the crowds were some of the largest they have seen in years.

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Fireworks launched from two downtown rooftops — one show at 9 p.m. and another at midnight — keeping people downtown for hours and drawing steady foot traffic into nearby restaurants and shops.

For businesses along the mall, the impact was immediate…

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