Denver Buzz guide
Denver Glossary of Local Terms and Neighborhoods
34 words and place names you will hear in your first weeks of going out in Denver, from LoDo to the I-70 crawl. Search it, filter it, and stop nodding along.
How to use this glossary
This is a going-out glossary. It covers the districts where people eat, drink, see shows and look at art, the landmarks people use for directions, and the weather and travel words that decide whether a plan works. It is not a guide to moving here or choosing where to live.
Type in the search box to filter as you go, or narrow it to districts, places, local terms or food words. Every entry has its own link, so you can send a friend straight to "chinook" the next time the snow vanishes overnight.
The glossary, grouped by type
- LoDoDistricts & neighborhoods
Lower Downtown. The historic warehouse district around Union Station and the ballpark, now packed with restaurants, bars and offices. Busy on game nights.
- LoHiDistricts & neighborhoods
Lower Highland, just across the highway and the South Platte River from downtown, linked to it by pedestrian bridges. Known for restaurants with skyline views.
- The HighlandsDistricts & neighborhoods
A loose name for the older neighborhoods of northwest Denver, with several walkable shopping and dining streets. Locals use it broadly, so ask which part someone means.
- RiNoDistricts & neighborhoods
The River North Art District, north of downtown along the South Platte. Converted industrial buildings, large murals, breweries and studios.
- Five PointsDistricts & neighborhoods
A historic neighborhood northeast of downtown and the long-time center of Black culture in Denver. Its jazz history earned it the nickname "Harlem of the West."
- Cap HillDistricts & neighborhoods
Capitol Hill, the dense neighborhood east of the State Capitol. Apartment buildings, historic mansions, and a lot of nightlife along and near Colfax.
- SoBoDistricts & neighborhoods
South Broadway. A long strip south of downtown with vintage shops, music venues, dive bars and restaurants.
- Santa Fe Arts DistrictDistricts & neighborhoods
Galleries and studios along Santa Fe Drive, southwest of downtown. Long known for its monthly First Friday art walks.
- Golden TriangleDistricts & neighborhoods
The museum and civic district just south of Civic Center Park, home to major art institutions and the central public library.
- Cherry CreekDistricts & neighborhoods
An upscale shopping and dining district southeast of downtown, named for the creek and the trail that runs beside it.
- Union StationParks & landmarks
The restored train station at the edge of LoDo. A transit hub for trains and buses, and a public hall where anyone can sit and hang out.
- ColfaxParks & landmarks
Colfax Avenue, an east-west street that runs across the entire city and well beyond. Often described as one of the longest commercial streets in the country, with a famously colorful history.
- 16th StreetParks & landmarks
The pedestrian-focused street running through the heart of downtown, long known as "the Mall." Check RTD for current shuttle service along it.
- Confluence ParkParks & landmarks
Where Cherry Creek meets the South Platte River, just northwest of downtown. The meeting point of the two big trails and a summer spot for wading and tubing.
- Wash ParkParks & landmarks
Washington Park, a large park in south-central Denver with lakes, flower gardens and a busy running and biking loop.
- City ParkParks & landmarks
A large park east of downtown that holds the city zoo and the nature and science museum, with one of the best skyline-and-mountain views in town.
- Sloan's LakeParks & landmarks
A big lake and park in west Denver, popular for sunset walks with the mountains behind the water.
- Cheesman ParkParks & landmarks
A park in the Capitol Hill area with a stone pavilion and wide lawns, built on the site of an old city cemetery. Locals love the ghost stories.
- Red RocksParks & landmarks
The open-air amphitheater set in giant red sandstone formations in the foothills west of the city, inside a park owned by Denver. Outside of shows, the park is a popular place to walk and climb the stairs.
- Mile High CityLocal terms
Denver's nickname, for its elevation of about 5,280 feet. A marker on the west steps of the State Capitol shows the one-mile point.
- Front RangeLocal terms
The first range of the Rockies west of Denver, and by extension the string of cities along its base, roughly from Fort Collins south to Pueblo.
- Fourteener (14er)Local terms
A mountain over 14,000 feet. Colorado has dozens, and climbing them is a local pastime. "How many have you done?" is standard small talk.
- The I-70 crawlLocal terms
The slow weekend traffic on Interstate 70 between Denver and the mountains. It shapes when locals leave town and when they come back.
- ChinookLocal terms
A warm, dry wind that comes down off the mountains and can melt snow surprisingly fast, sometimes within a day of a storm.
- Upslope stormLocal terms
A storm that forms when moist air from the east is pushed up against the mountains. These bring many of Denver's biggest snowfalls.
- Monsoon seasonLocal terms
Local shorthand for the summer pattern of afternoon thunderstorms, usually in July and August.
- NativeLocal terms
As in the "Native" bumper sticker: someone born in Colorado. Said with a mix of pride and teasing toward the many people who moved here.
- RTDLocal terms
The Regional Transportation District, which runs buses, light rail and commuter rail across the metro area. See getting around Denver.
- SCFDLocal terms
The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, a metro-wide sales tax that funds cultural groups and pays for many free museum days. See free things to do.
- DIALocal terms
What most locals still call Denver International Airport, even though its airport code is DEN. Reachable by commuter rail from Union Station.
- First FridayLocal terms
A monthly evening when several arts districts open galleries and studios to walk-in visitors. Confirm the current schedule before going.
- Green chileFood words
Colorado-style green chile is usually a pork stew or sauce, not just the pepper. Locals argue about it the way other cities argue about pizza.
- SmotheredFood words
Covered in green chile. A smothered burrito is a staple, and "smothered" is the expected answer to "how do you want it?"
- Rocky Mountain oystersFood words
Not seafood. Fried bull testicles, served as a novelty bar snack and a tourist dare.
No match. Know a word we should add? Send it to us.
Three questions newcomers ask
Is it Coloradan or Coloradoan?
Coloradan is the more common spelling for a person from Colorado. You will see both, but Coloradan is what most local publications use.
What is the difference between LoDo and downtown?
LoDo is one part of downtown: the historic warehouse district at its northwest end, around Union Station. Downtown as a whole also includes the office core, the 16th Street area and Civic Center.
Why do Denver addresses say East or West?
Broadway divides east and west street numbers, and Ellsworth Avenue divides north and south. An address on East anything is east of Broadway.
Heard a Denver word that left you guessing? Send it in. We confirm the meaning before adding anything.