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Is Downtown Denver Safe to Visit?

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Is Downtown Denver Safe to Visit?

Denver is an attractive city for visitors and locals alike, but with any densely populated city, there can be some areas to be aware of. As with any large city, it is important to use common sense when visiting downtown Denver and be aware of your surroundings. Understanding the safety of certain sections of a city is often important for visitors when choosing where to stay and what to do in the city. To help you get an idea of the safety of downtown Denver and make the most of your visit here, we have put together this guide to downtown Denver and its safety.

Safety Ratings for Downtown Denver

The overall safety of downtown Denver has ranked favorably in a variety of surveys and reviews. Its rate of crime and danger has dropped significantly in the last two decades, making it one of the safest places to stay and explore in the US.

On a broad scale, downtown Denver receives a safety rating of 4/5 on Numbeo, a user-driven crime index website. This puts it lower than the rest of Colorado but still within a safe range and higher than many large U.S. cities. A more specific neighborhood-by-neighborhood comparison can be made, however, with ratings around 3/5 for some other parts of the city outside of the downtown area.

Crime Rates in Downtown Denver

Before visiting downtown Denver, it is worth understanding what kind of crimes are common throughout the city and the downtown area specifically. According to the Denver Police Department’s public crime map, violent crime makes up only a small percentage of crime in the city as a whole. The majority of criminal activity consists of property crime, including arson, vandalism, motor vehicle theft, and larceny. In addition to discussing these statistics on an overall level, we are going to explore how these trends may affect downtown Denver’s safety more specifically.

Violent Crime in Downtown Denver

There is a relatively low rate of violent crime in downtown Denver compared to other parts of the city. According to data from 2020, homicide made up 0.5% of all violent criminal activity in the city that year. The other categories included rape (1%), robbery (9.6%), and assault (4.4%). In 2020, there were 530 reported incidents of violent crime in downtown Denver – an amount significantly lower compared to other neighborhoods such as Five Points and Lincoln Park where upwards of 5,000 incidents were reported.

Property Crime in Downtown Denver

Property crime rates in downtown Denver are also very low compared to other neighborhoods within the city. Motor vehicle theft comprised 2% of all criminal activity reported in 2020 with 1,081 incidents reported throughout the year. Similarly, incidents of larceny (the offense of purposely stealing another person’s items without use of force) accounted for 4% of total criminal activity with 2,241 incidents reported in 2020. Other forms of property crime like burglary or arson make up 0.2% or less of all reported criminal activity – making their presence minuscule compared to other types of crime in the city.

Public Transit and Areas to Avoid in Downtown Denver

In addition to understanding crime trends in the area, it is also important to understand which areas of downtown Denver are generally considered safer than others. From LoDo (short for Lower Downtown) and Lodo Park along the 16th Street Mall to LoHi (short for Lower Highlands) and LoDo along Larimer Street, there are many great places to visit within walking distance from one another that are considered very safe. Parking can sometimes be challenging here – but public transportation options are plentiful throughout downtown Denver.

Speaking of public transportation, taking the bus across downtown is generally considered to be a safe option when you want to get around quickly. The RTD (Regional Transportation District) operates eleven bus routes throughout Central Downtown that are easy to navigate and generally considered safe to take during the day or night. Note that other parts of Denver might be less safe depending on which neighborhood you are visiting – so make sure to always be aware of your surroundings when using public transportation or walking around outside your hotel.

How to Stay Safe Downtown

If you do decide to visit downtown Denver during your stay it is important to use some basic safety measures to ensure you have a safe trip. These tips can help you have a more enjoyable experience exploring all that this vibrant part of town has to offer:

  • Stay alert at all times – Be aware of your surroundings when walking around downtown – particularly during the night.
  • Stay in well-lit areas – Avoid dark alleys and secluded parts of the city and stick to well-lit areas with plenty of foot traffic.
  • Avoid traveling alone – If possible, try to travel with someone else – particularly at night.
  • Use public transportation safely – Take precautions while using bus or other forms of transportation while exploring downtown.
  • Know where your accommodations are – Familiarize yourself with your hotel’s location so you know how to get back if you wander too far.
  • Know common scams – In addition to being aware of your surroundings in general, do some research into any potential scams people might try and pull in downtown Denver.

Following these simple tips can help you have a safe and enjoyable time exploring downtown Denver during your stay here.

Conclusion

Downtown Denver is generally considered a safe part of town – particularly when compared to other large U.S cities. With the right safety measures and knowledge of the local area you should have no problem exploring all that this vibrant part of town has to offer. To make sure you never miss any unique activities available near downtown such as cocktail tours around central areas like Lower Downtown or Larimer Square – make sure check out GetYourGuide’s Denver: Downtown Cocktail Tour for an unforgettable experience around this magnetizing area!

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Is Downtown Denver Safe to Visit?

Experience Adventure Like Never Before: Book Your Tour Today!