A place of your own near University of Denver

The area surrounding the University of Denver sits in south central Denver, built around University Boulevard, Evans Avenue, and Buchtel Boulevard, a short distance from I-25. The private research university anchors the area both physically and economically, and Evans Avenue's commercial strip carries a steady run of restaurants, including Illegal Pete's, Jerusalem Restaurant, and Snarf's Sandwiches. Residential blocks of bungalows and low-rise apartment buildings surround the commercial corridor, with University Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard providing north-south routes to the rest of the metro area.

Chamberlin Observatory, a working 1890s astronomical observatory inside Observatory Park, anchors the area's arts and culture programming alongside the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, a multi-venue concert and theater hall on the University of Denver campus. Dining options cluster along Evans Avenue near Illegal Pete's, while Denver Public Schools serves the area's K-12 education needs and the University of Denver itself anchors higher education. Observatory Park and the Harvard Gulch Recreation Center round out nearby outdoor recreation.

Transportation and accessibility

On the move

Public transportation

RTD's E Line stops directly at University of Denver Station, an above-ground light rail stop at 1901 E Buchtel Boulevard with a paid park-n-ride lot, bike racks, and bike lockers. RTD bus Route 24 also serves the station, connecting the area to destinations along Colfax Avenue and beyond without the need of a personal vehicle.

Airports

Denver International Airport (DEN) sits roughly 26 miles northeast, a major hub for United and Southwest with nonstop domestic and international routes. RTD's rail network connects University of Denver Station to the airport by way of Union Station, offering a direct rail alternative to driving.

Cars and driving

Downtown Denver sits about 6 miles north, typically a 15 to 20 minute drive via University Boulevard or I-25 depending on traffic. I-25 runs along the area's western edge, giving quick access to the wider Denver metro, while University Boulevard and Colorado Boulevard carry north-south traffic through the surrounding blocks. The University of Denver Station park-n-ride offers commuters an alternative to driving the full distance during peak hours.

Pedestrians and bicycles

Bike lanes line stretches of University Boulevard and Evans Avenue, connecting the area to the campus and nearby retail without the need of a vehicle. Observatory Park's interior paths and the Harvard Gulch Recreation Center's surrounding trail give residents nearby recreation options for pets and people alike, and bike racks and lockers are available at University of Denver Station.

Industry and job market

Your next job awaits

The University of Denver anchors the local job market as one of the city's largest private employers, supplemented by healthcare and hospitality positions nearby. The University of Denver reports more than 3,400 faculty and staff and a broader annual economic impact exceeding $1.3B within Denver. AdventHealth Porter, just west along the area's edge, adds a significant concentration of healthcare jobs, while restaurants and venues along Evans Avenue support additional hospitality roles.

Educational services

The University of Denver employs more than 3,400 faculty and staff across teaching, research, and administrative roles, making it one of Denver's largest private employers.

Healthcare

AdventHealth Porter, formerly Porter Adventist Hospital, sits just west of the area and employs nurses, technicians, and administrative staff at its acute care hospital.

Leisure and hospitality

Restaurants along Evans Avenue, including Illegal Pete's, Jerusalem Restaurant, and Snarf's Sandwiches, along with performance staffing at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, support ongoing service and hospitality jobs.

Business services

Office buildings along University Boulevard near I-25 house professional and consulting firms serving clients throughout the south Denver metro area.

Education

Education for every age

Denver Public Schools, the district serving the area's K-12 students, reported an 81.9% four-year graduation rate for its Class of 2025, the district's fourth consecutive record year. Denver Public Schools publishes school-level boundary maps and accolades on its official website. The University of Denver itself anchors higher education in the area, a private research university and the oldest independent institution of higher education in the Rocky Mountain West, recognized as a Very High Research University (R1) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Things to do

Out and about

Chamberlin Observatory and Observatory Park anchor the area's cultural and outdoor offerings, alongside the Newman Center for the Performing Arts' concert and theater programming on the University of Denver campus. Evans Avenue's restaurant row and the Ritchie Center's recreation and ice arena facilities round out a full slate of amenities close to home.

Our top picks

Chamberlin Observatory

This 1890s observatory houses a 20-inch Alvan Clark refracting telescope and hosts regular public astronomy nights organized through the Denver Astronomical Society. Reservations are required, and sessions include a presentation followed by weather-permitting telescope viewing.

Observatory Park

This roughly 10-acre city park surrounds Chamberlin Observatory with a playground, picnic shelters, and sports fields for softball, rugby, and volleyball. Denver Parks and Recreation maintains the grounds as a neighborhood gathering space year-round.

Newman Center for the Performing Arts

This multi-venue performance hall hosts concerts, theater, and dance across three named spaces, including a concert hall and a recital hall. A regular season of touring and resident performances, spanning jazz, dance, and theater, runs throughout the year with tickets available online.

Ritchie Center

This sports and recreation complex on the University of Denver campus houses the Coors Fitness Center and Joy Burns Ice Arena, both open to the public through paid memberships or public skate sessions. Reservations for public ice sessions are available online.

Harvard Gulch Recreation Center

This Denver Parks and Recreation facility near the area's western edge offers a pool, fitness space, and surrounding park with sports fields and a golf course. The center operates on a published seasonal schedule with day passes and membership options for area residents.

Illegal Pete's

This regional burrito chain's University of Denver location serves build-your-own burritos, bowls, and tacos from an Evans Avenue storefront near campus. Late-night hours, a rotating salsa bar, and a compact patio have made it a steady neighborhood favorite for years.

Jerusalem Restaurant

This longtime Evans Avenue restaurant serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare, including falafel, hummus, and shawarma, with hours extending well past midnight most nights. Its patio and counter seating draw a steady stream of regulars throughout the week, from early lunch to late night.

Snarf's Sandwiches

This Denver-based sandwich shop's University of Denver location serves toasted hot subs and cold sandwiches from an Evans Avenue storefront near campus. Quick service and a compact menu make it a reliable lunch stop most days of the week for nearby office workers and residents.