Shop, dine, and settle in South East Denver

South East Denver centers on the South Colorado Boulevard corridor, where longstanding neighborhood shops meet a growing mix of dining and office space. University Hills Plaza has anchored the area's retail scene since 1955, and Junction Food and Drink brings a rotating lineup of local food vendors to the Colorado Center office complex nearby. Longtime family-owned spots like the Bagel Deli sit alongside newer arrivals such as Esters, giving residents a dining scene that spans generations.

Public art and community gathering spaces give South East Denver a quieter cultural identity than some of Denver's more commercial districts. James A. Bible Park hosts seasonal community events and a well-used playground within Virginia Village, while Denver Public Schools serves the area's students and publishes district-wide accolades on its official site. Outdoor recreation runs through Wellshire Golf Course, Kennedy Golf Course, and the High Line Canal Trail, which threads along the neighborhood's eastern edge on its way across the metro area.

Transportation and accessibility

On the move

Public transportation

RTD's light rail runs directly through South East Denver, with a stop at Colorado Station close to the Colorado Center complex. Local bus routes run along South Colorado Boulevard and Hampden Avenue, connecting residential streets to the station and to destinations throughout the wider metro area.

Airports

Denver International Airport (DEN) sits roughly 20 miles north of South East Denver, a major hub for United Airlines and Southwest with nonstop domestic and international routes. RTD's A Line at Union Station provides a direct rail trip to the airport terminal.

Cars and driving

Interstate 25 sits a short distance west of South East Denver, putting downtown Denver roughly 15 to 20 minutes away depending on traffic. South Colorado Boulevard and Hampden Avenue provide direct access across the neighborhood, and park-n-ride facilities at RTD's Colorado Station give commuters an alternative to driving during peak hours.

Pedestrians and bicycles

The High Line Canal Trail runs along the neighborhood's eastern edge, connecting to a regional network of paved and natural-surface paths for cycling and recreation close by. Sidewalks link most residential streets to nearby retail along South Colorado Boulevard without the need of a vehicle, and bike racks sit at the RTD Colorado Station for riders combining cycling with transit.

Industry and job market

Your next job awaits

South East Denver's job market centers on the Colorado Center office campus, one of the corridor's largest employment hubs. Cigna maintains a regional headquarters within Tower 3, housing more than 1,000 employees, alongside construction and financial services firms including JE Dunn Construction and Vectra Bank. Retail and hospitality jobs cluster along South Colorado Boulevard at destinations like University Hills Plaza and Junction Food and Drink.

Finance and insurance

Cigna's regional headquarters within Colorado Center's Tower 3 houses more than 1,000 employees, and Vectra Bank maintains offices within the same campus, supporting roles across client services and corporate finance.

Business services

Colorado Center hosts more than 50 businesses across its office towers, including law firms, staffing agencies, and consulting practices, supporting a wide range of administrative and professional roles.

Real estate and construction

JE Dunn Construction bases its West Region headquarters within Colorado Center, joining property management and leasing firms throughout the campus and the surrounding corridor.

Leisure and hospitality

Junction Food and Drink's food hall and restaurants along University Hills Plaza generate consistent demand for servers, hospitality staff, and event personnel throughout the corridor.

Retail

University Hills Plaza supports a range of retail positions, from specialty stores to larger anchor tenants, along South Colorado Boulevard's commercial strip.

Education

Education for every age

Denver Public Schools serves South East Denver's students, with the University Hills area feeding into Bradley International Elementary, Hamilton Middle School, and Thomas Jefferson High School. The district earned the Best of Green Schools Award in the School System category and a Top 10 Finalist spot in the American Climate Leadership Awards in 2025, recognition tied to district-wide sustainability initiatives. Denver Public Schools publishes detailed school-level performance data, boundary information, and accolades on its official website for residents researching a specific address.

Things to do

Out and about

University Hills Plaza anchors South East Denver's shopping and dining scene, while Junction Food and Drink rounds out the food hall options within Colorado Center. Wellshire Golf Course and Kennedy Golf Course give residents close-by outdoor options, and the High Line Canal Trail adds miles of paved and natural-surface paths along the neighborhood's edge.

Our top picks

University Hills Plaza

This longstanding shopping center has anchored South Colorado Boulevard since 1955, combining a hardware store, fabric and craft retailer, and a large-format general merchandise store. A steady lineup of tenants keeps the center a daily-needs destination for the surrounding area.

Bagel Deli

This family-owned deli and restaurant has served classic Jewish-style fare on Hampden Avenue since 1967, with breakfast served all day alongside deli sandwiches and matzo ball soup. A dining room and takeout counter keep the pace lively from morning through early afternoon.

Esters

This casual Virginia Village restaurant pairs wood-fired, artisanal pizza with a rotating selection of craft beer taps close by. A relaxed dining room and patio make it a regular stop for residents looking for a laid-back meal close to home.

Junction Food and Drink

This food hall inside the Colorado Center complex gathers 10 local vendors under one roof, spanning global cuisines and a full bar. Communal seating and rotating vendor lineups give visitors a new reason to return throughout the year.

Wellshire Golf Course

This 18-hole public course marked its 100th anniversary with tree-lined fairways and a full-service clubhouse close by. Seasonal leagues, lessons, and a well-regarded restaurant round out a full calendar of programming for golfers of every skill level.

Kennedy Golf Course

This 27-hole public facility offers three nine-hole courses and a driving range for golfers of every skill level close by. A full-service pro shop and seasonal leagues round out a steady calendar of programming throughout the year.

High Line Canal Trail

This 71-mile regional trail threads along South East Denver's eastern edge, linking to miles of paved and natural-surface paths across the metro area. Interpretive signage and tree cover line much of the route for cyclists and joggers alike.