The West Colfax Business Improvement District has been awarded $44,700 from the Revitalizing Main Streets grant program to fund the creation of a community night market in the Sun Valley neighborhood.

The “Under the Colfax Viaduct Community Night Markets” project will transform the space under the Colfax Viaduct near Empower Field into a community gathering space, complete with various international food vendors, public art and bike and pedestrian trails.

“We’re excited to see this community space come to life and become a new gathering spot,” said Gov. Jared Polis. “Whether it’s walking or cycling to this new night market, this state grant award will give the local community more options to safely arrive at a new destination that will help our economy.”

The grant will help fund the infrastructure of the night market, including artwork and light installations, bike parking, mobility enhancements and wayfinding to reach the event space. 

The night market is expected to open for use in approximately eight months. It will be managed by the local Sun Valley Kitchen & Community Center.

Making the space under the Colfax Viaduct safe for pedestrians and markets has been a priority of the surrounding community for over a decade, said Jeanne Granville, president of the Sun Valley neighborhood organization.

The project is part of the West Colfax Business Improvement District’s effort to reimagine the Colfax Viaduct as a means of mixed-use passage for residents, commuters and tourists in one of Denver’s busiest transportation corridors.

The project is in collaboration with Denver Streets Partnership and the Westside Stadium Community Coalition. The Colorado Department of Transportation has also been involved in stakeholder and planning meetings.

“A lot of community collaboration, thought and time went into making this project possible,” said Shoshana Lew, executive director of the department. “We are thrilled to contribute to creating better and safer active transportation opportunities in a creative way through the night markets in Sun Valley.”