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Congress Park
Denver Squares, Queen Anne houses and 1920s bungalows on a grid between York Street and Colorado Boulevard. The 7th Avenue Historic District runs along the south edge, and the shops sit on 12th Avenue.
Nearly every house here was built before 1940, median 1,640 sq ft. What to check on houses like these
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Winter sun
Which driveways stay iced in December and which back yards keep the afternoon. Worth knowing before you fall for a house.
See how the winter sun falls on Congress Park (opens in new tab)
Housing stock: Denver Assessor open data, 2026-09-19.
Living in Congress Park
Congress Park runs from York Street east to Colorado Boulevard, with Colfax Avenue on the north and 6th Avenue on the south. Cheesman Park, the Botanic Gardens and City Park sit just past its edges. The land was platted as Capitol Heights in 1887 and 1888, and the Congress Park name only came into use in the 1970s.
From Cemetery Hill to a city park
The high ground at the west end was Cemetery Hill, part of Denver's old City Cemetery. In 1890 Senator Henry Teller got Congress to let the city turn that land into a park, and the graves were moved. The land south of the reservoir became the city nursery in 1903, then Victory Park in 1943, and took the Congress Park name in 1949.
Squares, bungalows and a few Victorians
Most of the neighborhood was built between 1890 and 1924, following the streetcar lines out Colfax, 12th Avenue and 6th Avenue. The oldest houses are Queen Anne and Victorian, from around the turn of the century. Craftsman Denver Squares came next, then 1920s bungalows. Garages sit on the alleys, and house plans didn't include them until the 1920s, so on an older house expect a detached garage out back.
A couple of old public buildings are homes now. The Stevens School at 1140 Columbine, finished in 1900 and the last school Robert Roeschlaub designed, was converted to condos. Firehouse No. 15 at 1080 Clayton became two residences after its crew moved out in 1987.
The 7th Avenue Parkway and its historic district
The East 7th Avenue Historic District, the largest in Denver, follows the parkway along the south end. It was built mostly from the 1890s through 1930, with mansions on many of the corners and smaller houses, duplexes and terraces in between. The Olmsted firm laid out a double row of elms on each side of the parkway. From Steele Street east to Harrison, the district narrows to the parkway and the houses facing it. In December 2021, City Council added 19 more houses, mostly Craftsman, on the east side of the 600 and 700 blocks of Steele.
In a historic district, exterior work that needs a permit, from new windows and roofing to garages and ADUs, goes through the city's landmark design review. Look up whether a house is in the district before you write an offer around a remodel.
The park
Congress Park has a public outdoor pool, rebuilt with 2017 bond money and reopened in summer 2022. The playground was redone in 2024, and the sport courts were resurfaced that fall. There are also tennis courts and baseball and softball fields.
12th Avenue at Madison, and Cerebral on Monroe
Streetcar stops left two small business clusters on 12th Avenue, one at Clayton and Elizabeth and one at Madison. At 12th and Madison, Blue Pan Pizza has served Detroit-style square pies at 3509 E. 12th Ave. since 2017, and the brand made Yelp's 2025 top five for Denver pizza. Across 12th at 3506, Little Man Ice Cream renamed its Sweet Cooie's shop in May 2026 and shows up on 5280's 2026 list of the city's best ice cream. Up at 1477 Monroe, near Colfax, Cerebral Brewing's taproom has a sprawling patio and a weekly trivia night.
Colfax buses and parkway bike lanes
Colfax, 6th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard are the main roads around the edges. Colfax is being rebuilt for Lynx bus rapid transit, with work running through 2027. Since September 27, 2026, RTD's 15 and 15L buses have used the center lanes between Broadway and Colorado Boulevard, and cars stay in the outer lanes. Stations near Congress Park include Josephine/York, Fillmore and Colorado. For bikes, both 7th Avenue Parkway and 12th Avenue have bike lanes.
FAQ
Where is Congress Park?
From York Street east to Colorado Boulevard, between Colfax Avenue and 6th Avenue. Cheesman Park, the Botanic Gardens and City Park are just outside its edges.
Why is it called Congress Park?
The west end was part of the old City Cemetery, and in 1890 Congress let Denver turn that land into a park. The neighborhood was platted as Capitol Heights and took the Congress Park name in the 1970s.
How old are the houses?
Most were built between 1890 and 1924. Queen Anne and Victorian houses are the oldest, followed by Craftsman Denver Squares and then 1920s bungalows.
Is any of Congress Park a historic district?
Yes. The East 7th Avenue Historic District runs along the parkway at the south end, including 19 houses on Steele Street added in 2021. Exterior work there that needs a permit goes through the city's landmark design review.
Is there a public pool?
Yes. The outdoor pool in the park was rebuilt and reopened in summer 2022.
Where are the shops and restaurants?
On 12th Avenue at Clayton and Elizabeth and at Madison, where Blue Pan Pizza and Little Man Ice Cream sit across the street from each other. Cerebral Brewing's taproom is at 1477 Monroe, near Colfax.
How do the buses work on Colfax?
The 15 and 15L buses run in the center lanes between Broadway and Colorado Boulevard, with stations at Josephine/York, Fillmore and Colorado. Colfax is still being rebuilt for Lynx bus rapid transit through 2027.