Arts & Culture

While Coloradans are best known for their love of the outdoors, they have passions that remain indoors as well. As illustrated by a recent National Endowment of the Arts survey, Colorado is ranked No. 1 in trips to theaters, concert halls, and museums. A 2024 Arts Economic Activity Study conducted by the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (The https://cbca.org/economic-activity-study/) found that over 14,000 jobs exist in arts & culture in the metro Denver region. In addition, over 14 million people participated in a cultural activity in 2024 fueling a 3.2 billion dollar economic impact to the region.

Arts and culture have always been part of the story of Commerce City and an emerging arts scene brings it to the forefront. Public art creates a sense of place and facilitates attachments between visitors and their communities. Commerce City delivers a thriving arts community thanks to a public art plan dedicating 1% of the construction cost for capital improvement projects over $50,000 to the creation of public art.

Learn more about Commerce City’s Arts & Culture here: https://www.c3gov.com/Residents/Arts-and-Culture

And history buffs can savor the past at the Commerce City Historical Society, through objects and artifacts that trace the city’s origin as a trading fort and a one room schoolhouse to the booming city it is today.

Derby Downtown District The historic Derby Downtown District(PDF, 1MB) is an important part of Commerce City’s identity – both past and future. Longtime residents recall its heyday as a bustling activity center during the 1950s and 1960s, while current residents and business owners see its vast potential to once again become an important community hub. Revitalizing the district, re-establishing it as a destination and enhancing its visibility are just some of the goals of the Derby Master Plan as envisioned by the Commerce City Urban Renewal Authority.