Downtown Colorado names 2026 excellence award finalists

DENVER — Downtown Colorado Inc. has announced the finalists for its 2026 Downtown Excellence Awards, recognizing projects tied to downtown development, placemaking and community partnerships across the state.

The awards will be presented April 2 at the Mesa Theater in Grand Junction during the 2026 In the Game Vibrant Downtown event.

A total of 22 projects were selected across five categories: Partnership, Place, Plan, Pop-Up and Project. The finalists represent nearly $300 million in combined investment and include projects from communities ranging from Pagosa Springs to Steamboat Springs and Eaton to Aurora.

Finalists were reviewed by a panel of public and private sector professionals from around Colorado using a scoring process that evaluated project impact, implementation and outcomes.

Terri Takada-Smith, president of the Downtown Colorado Inc. board of directors, said the selected projects reflect collaboration among local governments, nonprofits and private partners.

Partnership finalists

• Shop Littleton OpenRewards, City of Littleton
• Main Street Steamboat, City of Steamboat Springs
• Rebranding of Downtown Greeley, Downtown Greeley
• Westbound Art, Downtown Grand Junction
• Downtown Activation, City of Westminster
• I Beam CO, City of Longmont

Place finalists

• Eaton Downtown Revitalization, Town of Eaton
• Arvada Beer Garden, Arvada Urban Renewal Authority
• 16th Street Renovation, City and County of Denver
• Green at 38th, City of Wheat Ridge
• Main Street Revitalization, Town of New Castle

Plan finalists

• Wayfinding Signage System Plan, City of Fountain
• Colfax Community Vision and Action Plan, City of Aurora
• A Brighter Downtown, Brighton Downtown Development Authority
• Johnstown Downtown Master Plan, Town of Johnstown

Pop-Up finalists

• Glenarm Place, City and County of Denver
• Not a Phone, Downtown Grand Junction

Project finalists

• HARP Expansion, City of Pueblo
• Revive + Thrive, Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District
• The Terminal Project, Downtown Grand Junction
• CDOT Construction Cone Zone, Town of Pagosa Springs
• The Rathbone Hotel, City of Montrose

Downtown Colorado Inc. will also present a 2026 People’s Choice Award. From Jan. 26 through March, finalists will be featured on the organization’s LinkedIn page, where users can participate in platform-based polls. The project receiving the highest rating will be recognized alongside category winners.