The newest Denver destination
is Over 100 years old.
Step-through any of the Denver Union Station entrances and you’ll automatically see that history got a makeover. Every detail of the stunning Great Hall space pays homage to a pioneer spirit while embracing a truly modern sensibility.
1800
The original Denver Union Depot opened its doors for the first time in 1881. At the time, it was the largest building in the West, spanning 500 feet with a 180-foot clock tower at the center. After a fire in 1894, the city quickly rebuilt the station – this time, 40 feet taller. The early years of the station set the foundation for the importance of train travel to the West.
1900
The turn of the century brought an increased need for train travel, and the number of trains and passengers traveling through Denver skyrocketed. The station was demolished to make way for a Beaux-Arts and Renaissance Revival-style building, made of carved granite and terracotta. The newly-dubbed Denver Union Station reopened its doors in 1914.
In 1952, the iconic neon sign that read “Union Station – Travel by Train” was added to the facade. As the years went by and the popularity of train travel declined, Union Station began to fade into disuse.
2000
In 2001, the wheels were set in motion for the future when the station was purchased by an RTD-organized group. An organization called Union Station Alliance – fondly referred to as the “revitalization posse” – worked tirelessly to bring their vision for the Denver landmark to life. The years of hard work paid off when the station officially reopened its doors in 2014, exactly 100 years after the opening of the 1914 structure.
today
Denver Union Station is the cultural hub and the “crown jewel” of the city. The addition of world-class dining, shopping, and the award-winning Crawford Hotel has revitalized and transformed Denver Union Station far beyond its humble beginnings.
Learn more about Union Station:
History Colorado – “6 Things You Didn’t Know About Union Station”
Denver Architecture Foundation