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LoDo District Honors Champions of Lower Downtown
On Dec. 8 at Water Grill, the LoDo District Inc. announced its 2025 LoDo Champions, the individuals and organizations whose outstanding work elevated the neighborhood this year. As the business-oriented Registered Neighborhood Organization (RNO) for Lower Downtown, LoDo District, Inc. presents these awards in recognition of those who make concerted and significant efforts to improve LoDo’s reputation as a great place to live, work, and play.
Photo credit: Michael Olmstead
The first of the LoDo Champions were Walter Isenberg & the LoDo Love Campaign. As owner of Sage Hospitality and an influential leader in Denver’s business community, Isenberg has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the vitality and reputation of LoDo for more than four decades. In mid-2024, Isenberg spearheaded the creation of the LoDo Love campaign, bringing together community partners and neighborhood businesses to create and share a unified, positive narrative about LoDo. In its first full year, the LoDo Love campaign, facilitated by local public relations and media agency Feed Media, has generated significant positive local and national media coverage; launched a strategic social media presence; and created a dedicated website, all of which amplify the message of a vibrant, safe LoDo.
Photo credit: Michael Olmstead
Evan Dreyer, Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Mike Johnston, has held a significant role in turning the passion, feedback, and ideas of LoDo business owners, workers, and residents into a productive partnership with the City of Denver. Through Dreyer’s leadership and collaboration, LoDo and the City have begun to work more closely on finding solutions to issues and determining opportunities to continue improving the neighborhood.
Dave Query has been a restaurateur and business leader in LoDo since 1994, founding Big Red F Restaurant Group and owning Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar. He elevated his long-standing commitment to the community in 2025 by championing the district’s most pressing challenges and emerging opportunities. Through persistent, solutions- focused advocacy, he ensured that the voices and needs of LoDo were brought to the forefront for policymakers and elected officials, opening a dialogue aimed at a critical moment for LoDo.
Photo credit: Michael Olmstead
The LoDo Champions of Community Stewardship are two downtown neighborhood associations, Lower Downtown (LoDoNA) & Upper Downtown (UpDoNA). These RNOs demonstrated continued dedication in improving the safety and quality of life downtown throughout 2025, and their ongoing partnership with the LoDo District inc. has amplified all three organizations’ primary goals of making LoDo a great place to live, work, and play.
Photo credit: Michael Olmstead
The LoDo Champions in Philanthropic Partnership are with Ent Credit Union. Sam Menzor, LoDo Service Center Manager, and her team at the Ent LoDo Service Center have completed multiple neighborhood cleanups, which provide a direct and tangible impact in beautifying LoDo. More than 70 people have volunteered to collect more than one ton of trash; remove graffiti from picnic tables, benches, trash cans, and light posts; and pull weeds in public spaces. Ent Credit Union has also provided financial support in their effort to improve LoDo.
In addition to the LoDo Champions, LoDo District Inc. honored its longtime member Dick Farley for his dedication and service to both organization and neighborhood. Dick has served the LoDo neighborhood for many years, at a civic level and later in private practice. He has always maintained his commitment to improving LoDo, through decades of both challenges and successes. For the past three years Dick has served as co-chair of LoDo District Inc., tirelessly working to lead the district forward after COVID.
For his longtime commitment to and passion for the LoDo neighborhood, Dick received two awards—a custom brick, in gratitude for his countless hours of work and energy as co-chair of the organization; and a Manny, an award created to recognize the tireless and often unsung work of some folks in LoDo and named for Manny Salzman, a unique character who never lost his love for and dedication to making LoDo the best part of downtown. Recipients of this award reflect that determination and identifiable presence of a true LoDo advocate.
Dick Farley has been working to make Denver better for many years. At the City and then in private practice, he is never without his pens and notepad, ready to draw up the solution to a thorny problem of urban design. Most recently, Dick has “tilted at the windmill” of putting string lights over LoDo blocks of 16th Street. He has faced obstacles without once losing his way or motivation. As his co-chair, Marty Steinberg, knows, this position requires hours of work and bottomless dedication, and the award acknowledges all the energy that Dick devoted to it. We thank him for all his effort and are very glad that though he steps down from the co-chair position, Dick will continue to co-chair the Urban Design Committee and serve on the Board.
Colorado Gives Day Is Today, December 9, 2025!
Today is Colorado Gives Day. The LoDo District is looking for 25 people to give $25 in the year 2025. Help to keep our programming going—Cherry Creek Cleanups, advocacy, urban design, and efforts such as networking events, lighting, and public art.
Velvet Cellar Wins OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice Award
Velvet Cellar: 1500 Wynkoop Street | Tues.–Thurs, 4 PM–9 PM; Fri. & Sat., 4 PM–10 PM
Velvet Cellar is thrilled to announce that OpenTable has recognized it as a top-rated restaurant. This honor is a testament to the amazing support from its guests, and the team couldn’t be more grateful. Thank you for helping them achieve this incredible milestone. They’re excited to continue serving you and making every dining experience memorable!
Visit from Santa: Pet Night at Milepost Zero
Fri., Dec. 12, 2025 | 5:00 PM–7:00 PM | Milepost Zero, 1601 19th Street | Free
Santa is coming to town and he didn’t forget about your dog! Bring your furry friend to meet with the jolly old elf and tell him all their Christmas wishes! Capture a keepsake photo you’ll treasure. Festive vibes, wagging tails, and holiday magic!
Festivities Continue in Larimer Square
Saturday, Dec. 13 | 12 PM–5 PM | Larimer Square, 1400 block of Larimer St. | Free
Throughout December, Larimer Square hosts Larimer Lights to brighten your holidays.
This coming Saturday, Dec. 13, from noon to 5 PM, capture the magic of the season with a photo alongside the jolly man himself! There will be a special Santa Paws Photo Booth from 2 PM to 4 PM for festive fotos with your furry friends. Also, get creative & cozy by decorating your own keepsake ornament and write a letter to Santa at this family-friendly holiday workshop, noon to 5 PM. Warm up with a cup of rich hot cocoa and a sweet s’mores treat, the perfect pairing for a festive stroll under the holiday lights, noon to 4 PM. Original Dickens Carolers will sing classic carols & create cheer from 1 PM to 5 PM. Several eateries and drinkeries will pop up in the square. Experience holiday magic beneath the canopy of holiday sparkle near the signature Larimer Square Christmas tree, larger-than-life nutcrackers and snowmen, and take in the festive projection mapping light show every evening. As well, throughout Subscribe to our email list. December, indulge in exclusive holiday specials from Ariat, Osteria Marco, Sway, and Tamayo, among others.
How to Perfect Your Wines: Proper Temperature Service & Decanting Methods
Sun., Dec. 14 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Blanchard Family Wines, 1855 Blake St. | $44.52
What temperature should I serve my wine? When and why should I decant a wine? How long will this bottle be good after I open it? These are common questions asked in Blanchard Family Wine’s classes. Join to explore these questions and variables and taste the differences they can make. Taste upwards of a dozen different wine samples to determine the best conditions for your tasting enjoyment.
Celebrate Festive Flavors at Holiday Taste of the Market
Sat., Dec. 20 | 5:00 PM–9:00 PM | 1800 Wazee St. | Free with Reservation
The holiday season is about many things, but one of the most important things is food. Denver Milk Market’s Taste of the Market is free to attend, and guests are invited to explore its unique mix of vendors, everything from pizza & pasta to fried chicken & Ethiopian food, savoring small bites and drinks available for purchase.
Feast of the Seven Fishes at Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar
Wednesday, Dec. 24 | Reservations 3:00 PM through 8:30 PM | 1539 17th St. | $85
🎵 Seven Fresh Fishes, Five Golden Courses and an Unforgettable Christmas Eve at Jax🎵
Enjoy a fritto misto of shrimp, squid, and olives stuff with anchovies, in a lemon Calabrian chile aioli; continue with a chopped salad of little gems and brioche- bottarga crumble in creamy anchovy dressing; savor spaghetti al scoglio (shrimp, mussels, and squid); relish branzino with polenta, marsala mushrooms, and crispy shallot gremolata; and finish with crostoli or chocolate mousse.
