Although it is generally considered to be a young, hip neighborhood, the apartment buildings in Cap Hill tend to be older, with older appliances (my not-so-standard size oven couldn’t even hold cookie sheet!). It was my first Denver nabe experience and set the overall tone and love I have for this city. I will always have a tender spot in my heart for Capitol Hill. But residents see its ever-changing landscape with the latest bars and restaurants opening for business near the historic sites. Visitors will come away with a sense of history seeing the residences of some of Denver’s early elite, including the Governor’s mansion and Molly Brown House. It’s never a dull moment on Colfax during most times of the day, while as you progress south you’ll run into a more hipster crowd looking for good drinks and local bands at a plethora of venues along the way. The level of eccentricity varies depending on which part of Cap Hill you reside or play. You can see one of each on nearly any given block. The residencies in this nabe range from basement studio apartments, duplexes, small houses to some of the most historical mansions in Denver. The neighborhood spans east-to-west from Broadway to Downing and north-to-south Colfax to Seventh Avenue. You will find college students, hipsters, deeply-rooted Denver natives, young professionals, young families and retirees. The neighborhood has been and remains a mix of distinct cultures intertwined n the heart of the city. If you like eccentricity you will feel comfortable walking through Denver’s Capitol Hill. I decided to move shortly thereafter to a more child-friendly neighborhood in central Denver, but I still revisit Cap Hill now and then for its huge festivals in Civic Center Park and for its array of odd pubs and people. After hours of panic and with no one else to call, I scooped up my first (and hopefully last) dead animal and disposed of it. When I encountered a dead mouse in my kitchen, I called for help from my eccentric landlord neighbor whose home was decorated with exquisite paintings, rugs, chandeliers, and chaise lounges. I left aluminum cans out back in the alley for the man who pushed a shopping cart by every morning. The apartment I secured had off-street parking (my number one priority in a neighborhood such as this one), and was on the first floor of a brownstone – hardwood floors, leaded glass windows, claw foot tub. I met interesting, diverse people on every corner and had meaningful cultural experiences on every block. My time on Capitol Hill replaced not only my clean-freak, mommy mentality with a sense of environmental responsibility, but overall naivety with compassion. It took a good three months to abandon the use of hand-sanitizer at every doorway, newspaper stand, and restaurant table but it took even longer to absorb the wretchedness of Cap Hill’s unfortunate – the hollow eyes of that once-pretty thirty something who aged an additional twenty years from Marlboro’s and meth the smell of the toothless man, bundled up and wandering through July like it’s the beginning the holiday shopping season the crossed arms of the thief waiting on the dark side of a corner for his next victim. Moving to Denver’s Capitol Hill neighborhood with my two year old son after years of vaulting between sterile Colorado mountain towns was initially a shock. Come loaded with quarters as you will most likely have to park at a meter. Parking can be difficult if you’re wanting to go to a restaurant or bar on the weekends. It’s, unfortunately, common within the area to also see drug dealers and addicts making transactions. This nabe has its fair share of homeless people. The Capitol with its golden dome can be seen from all over in this area and is a great place to people watch.
Not that you’d want to cook in this nabe! Yards leave much to be desired if you want a great space for the dog to romp in, but they’re great if you want to have some friends over for some BBQ. Many of them still have their Carriage Houses. Homes in this area tend toward extravagant. There are so many amazing little places to grab a bite, toss down a drink, or just hang out at in the Capitol Hill area that I’m pretty sure there isn’t enough space on here for me to list them all. Want a place to sit back and listen to some house music at? Try the Funky Buddah Lounge. Craving a Guinness that’s been built by a pro? Hit The Fainting Goat. It was a Filet Mignon with an amazing parmesan cheese sauce at Le Central, the best french restaurant in Denver (in my humble opinion at least). One of the best steaks I have had was in a restaurant located in Capitol Hill.