Denver, CO Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)
Key Facts
- Board size
- Nine mayoral-appointed members
- Applies to
- Six downtown zone districts
- Authority
- Reviews and recommends, doesn't decide
- Meetings
- Open to public, comment allowed
Summary
Denver requires design review by a nine-member, mayor-appointed Downtown Design Advisory Board before development proceeds in six specific downtown zone districts, though the board only recommends: final permit decisions stay with city staff.
Within the Downtown Golden Triangle (D-GT), Downtown Arapahoe Square 12+ (D-AS-12+), Downtown Arapahoe Square 20+ (D-AS-20+), Downtown Central Platte Valley – Auraria Transition (D-CPV-T), Downtown Central Platte Valley – Auraria River (D-CPV-R), and Downtown Central Platte Valley – Auraria Center (D-CPV-C) zone districts, the Downtown Design Advisory Board shall review and make recommendations to the Development Review Committee or Zoning Administrator as specified in this Code or in adopted rules and regulations, which may be amended from time to time.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 147 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
The Downtown Design Advisory Board consists of nine members appointed by the Mayor for staggered three-year terms: four design professionals (at least one a landscape architect), one downtown property owner, three downtown residents or community representatives, and one development/construction-industry representative; all must live in Denver. Within the Downtown Golden Triangle, Downtown Arapahoe Square 12+ and 20+, and the three Central Platte Valley-Auraria districts, the board reviews development proposals and recommends action to the Development Review Committee or Zoning Administrator, who hold final decision-making authority. Meetings are open to the public with an opportunity for public comment.
Violations & Fines
There's no fine, but projects in the six covered downtown districts can't clear zoning permit review until the Downtown Design Advisory Board has completed its recommendation to the Development Review Committee or Zoning Administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Downtown Design Advisory Board approve projects itself?
Which Denver districts require this design review?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denver
Compare Denver to another location·View the Colorado zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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