East Colfax - Denver, CO

In name, Colfax Avenue honors Schuyler Colfax, the vice president of Ulysses Grant and an outspoken antislavery advocate. At first, the now-iconic avenue was no more than a dirt road, and settlers planted orchards and established farms along its sides. As the city developed, the area became a mixture of factories, hotels and apartment buildings with shops and orchards squeezed between them.

Stapleton, home to some of the most attractive developments in the area, hosts an annual Stapleton Beer Festival, which draws visitors from around the city. Culture lovers enjoy living conveniently close to the Denver Children's Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Art Museum and the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.

The restaurants along East Colfax provide locals with a tour through Mexico and South America with a few cultural breaks for Ethiopian food or chicken wings.

El Chalate, a Latin American restaurant, serves up exotic fare such as fried yucca with pork and special dishes such as papusas with cheese or fried pork rinds.

When in the mood for cheap tacos, head to Tacos Acapulco. This tiny restaurant with a small outdoor patio serves Mexican street food until late at night. Its burritos and tacos carry price tags lower than many fast food chains.

For Peruvian fare in an upscale environment, check out Pisco Sour. Named after a cocktail, this restaurant has a menu full of ceviche dishes that feature fresh sea bass, tiger prawns and other delights, but you can also order other Peruvian favorites such as rotisserie chicken.

For nightlife, residents have access to a range of bars, including the Hangar Bar. This dive bar offers discounts to vets and active military members, and it hosts a tiki bar vibe. Classic video games such as Dig-Dug and Ms. PacMan line the walls, and high scorers can win weekly prizes for their skills. Other popular bars within the neighborhood include Primo's and Bar La Cabana.

East Colfax Avenue runs right into downtown Denver, and from there, drivers can access Interstate-70 or I-25. Locals who prefer public transit can take RTD route 15 into downtown, and from there, light rail trains run to the suburbs, the airport and other areas.

Free parking spots exist near East Colfax, but they can be hard to find in some areas. Many residents who have to use on-street parking obtain permits from the city so that they can park in their neighborhoods.

The relative proximity of many businesses makes the East Colfax area walkable from certain perspectives. However, although far East Colfax offers a great deal of safety, some residents feel the need to exercise caution in other parts of the neighborhood. Bike trails run through the neighborhood, and RTD buses have bus racks.

Residents can sometimes hail cabs along Colfax Avenue, but they usually have to call a cab if they need a ride. Uber also provides services in the area.

East Colfax contains a number of parks. Families enjoy taking the little ones to Greenway Park. With three small playgrounds featuring climbing challenges and sand, this park promises to keep kids amused. Its skateboarding park doesn't have enough challenges or depth for advanced skaters but is perfect for young kids just learning.

Dog owners may prefer the Stapleton Dog Park. The largest off-leash park for dogs in the metro area, this 3-acre park has a sandy fenced-in area for dogs to romp freely.

Residents also like to spend time at City Park, located just west of this neighborhood. The largest park in Denver, City Park has 330 acres, and it includes the Denver Children's Museum, the Denver Zoo, large green spaces, a duck pond and a beautiful pavilion. Although certain activities such as renting a swan-shaped row boat to paddle around the lake carry a fee, the green areas and playgrounds of the park cost nothing. The park attracts thousands of residents per day, and annually, it hosts events such as a summer concert series.

Living near East Colfax costs less on average than living in other parts of the Denver metro area. In East Colfax, the average rent of about $950 for a one-bedroom apartment saves residents over $100 compared to Denver's average rent.

Because residents live so close to the city center, they can ride the bus for only $2 into downtown. However, they may have to spend $3 to $5 to reach other regions of the city on the bus or light rail. On average, area gas stations charge 7 percent less than the national average for a gallon of gas, saving residents even more money.

The Shops at Northfield Stapleton, a shopping center near East Colfax, includes chain stores such as Macy's, Old Navy and Bass Pro Shops as well as several restaurants. For shoppers who want to hit several stores, The Shops is the best destination for an afternoon of browsing and buying.

Along East Colfax Avenue, a number of independent shops exist but very few high-end shops. For clothing, a local favorite is Compton Mart. Situated in an old garage, this shop tries to look like a European-style flea market, and it sells T-shirts, hoodies, snowboarding apparel, bling and accessories.

When they want high-end brands at a discount, East Colfax shoppers head to Plum consignment. The owners of this consignment store, located just north of East Colfax in Lodo, have a great eye for style. That makes it easy for shoppers to find stylish items quickly without having to root through a bunch of undesirables.

Numerous large grocery stores exist along East Colfax including chain stores such as King Soopers and Safeway. Smaller specialty markets such as Good Eatin' Premium Meats, a highly acclaimed local butcher, also serve the area.

During the warm months of the year, the Stapleton Farmers' Market and the City Park Esplanade Farmers' Market bring local produce and famed Colorado peaches to East Colfax locals.