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Auraria
Events in Auraria, Denver
Student-oriented, cultural, educational
1 upcoming eventsStudent Events
Cultural Programs
Historic Architecture
Community Lectures
Craft Beer
- •Tivoli Brewing Company occupies the historic 1866 Tivoli Union brewery building
- •Three colleges share the campus: CU Denver, MSU Denver, and Community College of Denver
- •9th Street Historic Park is one of Denver's oldest surviving Victorian neighborhoods
- •Auraria's Performing Arts Center hosts student productions and community events
- •Direct light rail access to downtown Denver and Union Station
Things to Do in Auraria
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Tivoli Brewing Company
Nightlife
Denver's oldest surviving brewery building (1866) is now the shared student union for three colleges. Visit the Tivoli Brewing taproom for Colorado craft beers in a spectacularly historic setting.
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9th Street Historic Park
Free
A preserved block of 1870s–1890s Victorian homes in the heart of a modern campus. One of Denver's most unusual historic sites — free to walk through and explore any time.
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King Center Performing Arts
Arts
The Auraria campus's King Center hosts professional and student theater productions, dance performances, and community events. Affordable tickets and high-quality productions.
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Public Lectures & Cultural Events
Free
Three colleges mean a constant stream of free public lectures, art exhibitions, cultural celebrations (MLK Day, Diwali, Cinco de Mayo), and community events on campus year-round.
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Platte River Trail Access
Outdoor
The Auraria campus sits along the South Platte River trail system — excellent access for biking or walking toward Confluence Park, RiNo, and beyond.
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Campus Art Exhibitions
Arts
CU Denver and MSU Denver galleries host rotating exhibitions of student and professional work throughout the year — free admission and a great way to discover emerging Colorado artists.
What's Opening in Auraria
BALL ARENA
restaurant
Explore Auraria by Category
The Story of Auraria
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1858
Auraria Town Founded
The Town of Auraria was founded in November 1858 — just weeks before Denver City across Cherry Creek. Named after Auraria, Georgia, it was one of Colorado's first settlements during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush.
Gold Rush prospectors with mining equipment — the era that brought settlers to Auraria, 1858
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1860
Auraria Absorbed into Denver
Auraria was absorbed into the City of Denver in 1860. The neighborhood retained its name and character as a working-class residential area distinct from Denver's commercial core.
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1866
Tivoli Brewery Founded
The Tivoli Union Brewery was founded in 1859 and rebuilt in its current form in 1866 — one of Denver's oldest surviving buildings and a landmark of Colorado brewing history.
Interior tasting room of Tivoli-Union Brewery with bartender Harry Pfalzgraf
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1870s–1960s
Working-Class Mexican-American Community
Auraria developed as a tight-knit working-class neighborhood, home to Denver's Mexican-American community. The neighborhood had homes, churches, schools, and businesses serving generations of families.
St. Cajetan's Catholic Church at 1170 9th Street — heart of Auraria's Mexican-American community
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1973–1976
Urban Renewal Demolishes the Neighborhood
In a controversial urban renewal project, the City of Denver demolished virtually the entire Auraria neighborhood to build a higher education campus. Over 300 Victorian homes and businesses were razed, displacing 4,000+ residents.
Aerial view of Auraria/Lincoln Park before demolition, 1977
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1976–Present
Auraria Higher Education Campus
The Auraria Campus opened in 1976, shared by three institutions: University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University, and Community College of Denver. The 9th Street Historic Park preserves a single block of Victorian homes.
Aerial view of Auraria Higher Education Campus with Tivoli building in foreground
Upcoming Events in Auraria
Top Venues in Auraria
Denver Open Data for Auraria
Explore food safety and licensing data for restaurants, bars, and food businesses in Auraria.
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Auraria is one of Denver's most distinctive neighborhoods — a student-oriented, cultural, educational destination that draws locals and visitors alike. Whether you're looking for student events, cultural programs, historic architecture, community lectures, craft beer, denver's higher education campus shared by three colleges, adjacent to downtown with student-oriented events, cultural centers, and the tivoli brewing company. Browse upcoming events on this page and plan your visit to Auraria, Denver.
From seasonal festivals to nightly live music, Auraria has something happening every week of the year. Use 303Happenings to discover the best Auraria events, find venues near you, and get notified when new events drop. Explore Denver events by neighborhood
Auraria Quick Facts
🎯 Best for: Student Events, Cultural Programs, Historic Architecture, Community Lectures, Craft Beer
🚌 Transit: Auraria West Station (C/W Line) · RTD Bus 1
🚗 Parking: Campus lots (paid)
🎯 Best for: Student Events, Cultural Programs, Historic Architecture, Community Lectures, Craft Beer
🚌 Transit: Auraria West Station (C/W Line) · RTD Bus 1
🚗 Parking: Campus lots (paid)
What Is Auraria Best For?
Auraria excels at Student Events, Cultural Programs, Historic Architecture, Community Lectures, Craft Beer. Here's what makes this Denver neighborhood stand out: What's happening tonight
- Tivoli Brewing Company occupies the historic 1866 Tivoli Union brewery building
- Three colleges share the campus: CU Denver, MSU Denver, and Community College of Denver
- 9th Street Historic Park is one of Denver's oldest surviving Victorian neighborhoods
- Auraria's Performing Arts Center hosts student productions and community events
- Direct light rail access to downtown Denver and Union Station
The Story of Auraria
Top Event Venues in Auraria
The following venues are the heart of Auraria's event scene, hosting everything from intimate shows to large-scale festivals:
- Tivoli Brewing Company
- Auraria Campus
Browse the full venue list and upcoming events at each location on 303Happenings.
Best Time to Visit Auraria
Spring (March–May): Auraria comes alive as Denver shakes off winter. Patio season kicks off, outdoor festivals return, and the neighborhood energy picks up significantly.
Summer (June–August): Peak season — outdoor concerts, festivals, block parties, and the longest bar patio hours. Auraria is at its absolute best in summer.
Fall (September–November): A beloved time to visit — cooler evenings, fall festivals, Denver's famous Restaurant Week, and the Rockies playoff push bring energy to the streets.
Winter (December–February): Denver's 300 days of sunshine keep Auraria active even in winter. Holiday markets, cozy bars, and indoor events make it a year-round destination.
Getting to Auraria Denver
🚌 Public Transit
- Auraria West Station (C/W Line)
- RTD Bus 1
RTD day passes ($6.50) are available at all rail stations and online.
🚗 Parking
Campus lots (paid)
For major events, rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or transit is recommended as parking can fill quickly.
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