Seedy Sights

Today, a walk through the cheerful and elegant shops and restaurants of Larimer Square and environs divulges little of the area’s seedier past, when brick storefronts from the Belle Epoque era either sat boarded up or served as fleabag hotels, cheap bars and homeless missions. But Denver’s Skid Row — a special tour hosted by the Colorado Historical Society’s Tours ’n Treks program — aims to bring back some of the street’s days of ruination this evening, at least in spirit. And who better to lead it than historian Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel, the know-it-all keeper of ancient Denver’s secrets, and developer Dana Crawford, whose pioneering efforts led the way toward rejuvenating those very downtown streets?

Join Noel and Crawford for a brief talk and “fortification” at Scruffy Murphy’s, 2030 Larimer Street, at 4 p.m. before embarking on a leisurely tour of the now-vibrant Larimer and Market streets, where you’ll just have to imagine how things once were; a well-paced itinerary of pub stops along the way will no doubt help your imagination. Tour registration is $50 (or $40 for CHS members); to enroll, go to www.coloradohistory.org (use reservation code SKID) or call 303-866-4641.
Sat., June 28, 4-8 p.m., 2008