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Denver keeps evolving.
Four decades ago, this city was kicking the dust off its cowtown reputation and emerging as a regional hub with an exciting cultural scene, an improving restaurant lineup and a lot more to do around town than cheer on the Broncos. Federico Peña had just been elected mayor, the 16th Street Mall was nearing completion, mobile hot tubs were all the rage, and Pirate was throwing great gallery parties.
To capture the emerging city, Westword set out to create an essential survival guide: The Best of Denver. The first print-only issue, published in 1984 (our website debuted a decade later), was filled with dozens of picks that our editorial staff considered worthy of celebration; many of the categories included readers’ choices, too.
Over the past forty-plus years, the city has continued evolving. Sixteenth Street just reopened last fall after a major renovation project, Pirate’s great parties are now in Lakewood, hot tubs have moved to backyards…and we’re cheering the Broncos as they head to another Super Bowl. But the basic goal of the Best of Denver remains the same.
The Best of Denver 2026
The Best of Denver 2026 will drop on Thursday, March 26, with hundreds of editorial picks. As this state marks its 150th anniversary, we’ll be celebrating all the people, places and things in the capital city that put the “colorful” in Colorado, from the best green chile to the best deals at Red Rocks.
As always, our top-secret editorial team researches ideas and suggestions year-round, turning those that are worthy into Best of Denver editors’ picks that are touted in both the print edition and online with paragraph-long award descriptions. We’re currently in the midst of that process, and we’re always happy to get recommendations from readers at editorial@westword.com.
But fair warning: We do all of our work in secret and may not respond to your message.
Best of Denver Readers’ Choice Poll
While the way the Best of Denver editorial awards are chosen has not changed, the Best of Denver Readers’ Choice Poll has definitely evolved. It’s now entirely independent of the editorial picks, with its own list of categories suggested by readers, who then get to vote for their favorites.
Here are some common questions and answers about how that poll works:
How do nominees get on the Best of Denver Readers’ Choice ballot? The previous year’s winner is automatically added, as are other top vote-getters; some businesses purchase a Vote for Me advertising package to make sure their name gets a spot on the poll (email advertising@westword.com to learn more). But readers can also write in any name they want when they vote, and the top vote-getter wins.
How often can readers vote? Readers can vote daily while the Readers’ Choice poll is live; it will be up through 11:59 p.m. March 9.
Find the Best of Denver 2026 Readers’ Choice Poll here.
Have other questions? Send them to editorial@westword.com.
