Is Denver Safe For Travel? Crime & Safety Guide 2025

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Curious if Denver is safe for travel? I grew up in the Mile High City – here’s my honest opinion!

I’m originally from Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver about 20 minutes from downtown. After college, I moved to Boulder and spent years commuting into Denver several times per week and/or visiting on the weekends. As much as I love Boulder, I’ve definitely spent my fair share of time in Denver.

Denver is undoubtedly a great place to visit and a popular place to move, attracting over 36 million visitors in 2022. The city’s popularity makes sense; it has great weather, is only a short drive from the Rocky Mountains, and there are tons of things to do. 

Despite its many appeals, travelers should know that Denver is not as safe as many other US cities. With high rates of property and violent crime, you’ll want to take precautions when visiting. In this post, I’ll highlight some safety concerns in Denver, safest and least safe areas, and some tips to avoid issues during your stay. 

Table of Contents
Is Denver Safe For Travel? 
Is it Safe to Live in Denver?
Safest Places In Denver
Places I Recommend Avoiding In Denver
Denver Safety Tips
FAQs
Conclusion

Is Denver Safe For Travel? 

On the whole, I would say that, yes, Denver is a safe place to visit, and most people never encounter any issues during their time in the city. Most crime that occurs in Denver is not targeted towards tourists, but visitors should be aware of the safety situation and take appropriate precautions. 

Still, it’s not a particularly safe city – as US cities go – so it is important to take precautions to stay safe. Violent and property crimes are both very common in Denver. You can take a look at Denver’s current crime statistics, which include notes about whether crime is trending up or down. 

A report from WalletHub ranked the safety of 182 US cities using a number of factors, including natural disasters, crime rates, and money and finances. The report ranked Denver 169 out of 182 for safety, very near the bottom or least safe portion of the list. When ranked only using home and community safety data, Denver fared slightly worse, slipping to 172 out of 182. 

I will say that I’ve spent a great deal of time in Denver and have never had any serious problems. I’ve walked alone at night, taken lots of public transit, and have thoroughly explored the city without fear. The best things that you can do to stay safe in Denver are to stick to popular and busy areas, avoid walking alone at night, and use public transit with caution.

Safety in Denver at Night

Generally speaking, I would not consider Denver to be a safe city at night. Avoid walking alone at night, if possible, especially after about 10pm. If you do need to walk in the city at night, stay off of your phone and walk with purpose. 

However, there are some areas that are mostly safe at night, especially the areas that are very gentrified. The Highlands, RiNo, and Golden Triangle are generally considered to be safe areas in the city, and I’ve walked here at night alone without issue. Still, it’s best to simply drive or take a rideshare if you need to get around Denver after 10pm. 

Be very careful when visiting LoDo at night. This area is popular for nightlife in Denver, so it’s full of bars and clubs that get very busy on the weekends. You can enjoy yourself there, but I would recommend leaving as soon as the bars close and remaining aware of your surroundings at all times. If you’re in a group, make sure that you all stay together and leave together for safety. 

Is it Safe to Live in Denver?

Depending on where you live in Denver, it can be a decently safe place to call home. The biggest threats to living in Denver are property crimes, and especially car thefts and break ins. The high cost of living, high numbers of people experiencing homelessness and other desperate situations, and soaring housing costs have all contributed to Denver’s safety issues. 

Although crime can happen anywhere, the residential areas of the city are generally safer than the neighborhoods with lots of commercial activity or large transit centers. 

I’d be remiss if I left out that Colorado also experiences a high number of mass shootings, many of which have high profile events. From the Columbine High School Massacre to the Aurora movie theater shooting to the Boulder King Soopers shooting, it can sometimes feel like nowhere is safe in the Denver Front Range. 

Is Denver a Friendly City? 

Compared to cities on the East Coast of the US, Denver is a fairly friendly city. Locals are typically friendly enough to say hi and chat with you when they see you, but the kindness doesn’t always extend past initial niceties. It can be hard to make friends as an adult moving to Denver, especially if you don’t have a dog, young children, or enjoy breweries or hiking.  

Which is Better: Boulder or Denver?

Having lived in both Denver and Boulder, I personally prefer the outdoorsy and eccentric city of Boulder. Denver is a much larger metropolitan area, so it tends to have a bit less personality than Boulder, Fort Collins, or some of the mountain towns. 

One of the best parts of living in Boulder is the fantastic outdoor access; when I lived in the city, I was able to go on hikes that started at my front door. I also love that Boulder has a walkable main street – Pearl Street – with cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops that make the area inviting well into the evening. 

Denver definitely has an edge when it comes to housing availability and cost, though. Boulder is smaller, and the cost of living is high due to increasing demand and very strict limits on growth and development. There are also far more jobs and economic opportunities in Denver, by virtue of it being a far larger city. 

Safest Places In Denver: Must Sees

Denver might not be the safest city overall, but there are some really cool and fun neighborhoods that are definitely worth a visit. I’d consider staying in any of these areas while visiting Denver, but I’d certainly check reviews first and plan to drive/rent a car. 

Luckily, all of these areas have or are close to free street parking!

📍 River North Arts District

My favorite neighborhood in Denver is definitely the River North Arts District, a vibrant area in the northern part of the city. It’s home to some of my favorite Denver area coffee shops, including Portside and Crema. 

The neighborhood is known for being covered in murals and street art, from the parking lots to the sides of local businesses. It’s the perfect spot for a day of working remotely, an evening out listening to live music at Larimer Lounge, or tapas at Barcelona Wine Bar. Or, if you’d like to see the area with the guidance of a local foodie, consider taking a RiNo food tour.  

📍 The Highlands

Not terribly far from RiNo is the Highlands, my other favorite spot to go in Denver. You’ll find some great restaurants in this neighborhood, including Linger – a former mortuary that happens to be one of my favorite spots in the city. The Highlands are a safe place to visit or stay during your visit to Denver, though prices are likely to be higher here than in, say, Berkeley. 

Of course, the most iconic landmark in the Highlands is the enormous milk bottle mounted above Little Man Ice Cream on 16th Street. 

📍 Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle neighborhood is a quietly great place to visit in Denver. It’s very residential, but there are a few great places to see and eat in the area and immediate vicinity. My favorite sandwich shop in Denver is ZEPS EPIQ Sandwiches, a local joint that makes a great eggplant parm sandwich and tater tots.

The Denver Art Museum is also set in Golden Triangle, so you might as well visit – or at least pass by the enormous sculpture of a broom and dustpan – while you’re there. They do a great job of showcasing Western, Native American, and Latin American artists. (It’s a whole lot smaller than the Louvre, though!) 

📍 Berkeley 

I’d classify Berkeley as a more up-and-coming neighborhood in Denver, but it’s still a great place to visit and fairly safe to visit. One of my favorite Denver happy hour spots, Hops and Pie, is located in Berkeley, and they have a very cute downtown area. I would avoid walking around this neighborhood late at night, as it gets a little dicey after about 10pm. 

Places I Recommend Avoiding In Denver

As wonderful as some parts of Denver are, there are other neighborhoods that are best avoided – if only at night. Note that this list is not exhaustive; there are other Denver neighborhoods with dangerous areas, too. If you’re unsure, I’d advise you to stick to the more reliably safe areas above, or perhaps choose an Airbnb, hotel, or B&B in Golden, which is much safer overall. 

I recommend that you rent a car when visiting Denver, unless you’re planning to stay exclusively in one central neighborhood for your entire trip. With a car – or by using a rideshare app – you can avoid having to walk along isolated streets at night or having to take public transit. 

❌  Financial District/16th Street Mall (at Night)

The 16th Street Mall is Denver’s main pedestrian mall, somewhat similar to Boulder’s Pearl Street but nowhere near as cute and quaint. It’s home to many of the city’s biggest office buildings, lots of shops, and a number of restaurants and cafes. During the day, you can visit the 16th Street Mall, but do stay vigilant against petty theft and keep an eye on your belongings. 

There have been many efforts to clean up the 16th Street Mall over the years, but it’s still not a safe place to be late at night. Once the restaurants and bars start to close, find your way away from Denver’s Financial District. 

❌  Commons Park (at Night)

One place in Denver that has always made me uneasy at night is Commons Park, the green space between the South Platte River and Union Station. You can safely walk here during the day, but I would definitely go out of my way to avoid this park at night. 

Like other parts of Denver, you should remain vigilant and aware when walking in and near Commons Park. While most people you encounter will be harmless, a rare few will pose a real threat. In 2023, a man was killed by police while chasing pedestrians in Commons Park with a rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. 

❌  Union Station (at Night)

Union Station is one of the most iconic landmarks in Denver and it’s a popular place to visit in the city. The interior was significantly remodeled in 2014, creating a beautiful interior space with a few restaurants, bars, and cafes. 

Unfortunately, this central transit area is best avoided late at night. This neighborhood ranks towards the top of the list for violent crime and property crime, and it’s best avoided after about 10pm. If you do need to travel through Union Station, keep an eye on your bags at all times and stay in well lit areas.   

❌  Capitol Hill (at Night)

Some of my favorite spots in Denver are located in Capitol Hill, including the iconic City O’ City vegetarian restaurant. Thump Coffee is one of my favorite places to work remotely during the day, and it’s not too far from the locally famous Voodoo Doughnut. The streets near Thump Coffee, as well as Cheesman Park, are also very nice for walking around on a sunny day. 

While we’re at it, Rocky Fin Poke Bar is one of my favorite spots in the city for an affordable, healthy lunch! 

Still, Cap Hill is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city by the numbers. You can walk safely during the day, but take care and be aware of your surroundings when wandering around at night. Take special care to ensure that you locked your car and hid any valuables, as property crime is the most common risk in this part of Denver. 

Denver Safety Tips

Given that Denver is not the safest city in Colorado, it’s worth taking extra precautions when visiting the Mile High City. These tips will help to keep you safe in Denver, whether you’re just passing through or planning a longer stay. 

Drive or Use Rideshares at Night

Walking or taking public transit at night in Denver is not very safe in many areas. The local public transit can be unreliable, with buses that often don’t come or are very late. Waiting areas for the Light Rail can feel sketchy, too. Personally, I’d avoid walking after 10pm and I’d avoid local public transit after about 8pm. 

One exception is the bus to Boulder or the train to the Denver Airport. Both of these regional lines are safe most hours of the day or night, though you should still be cautious at Union Station. 

When I commuted often from Denver to Boulder, I would sometimes take an Uber to Union Station late in the evening, then hop on the regional bus to Boulder. 

Avoid Isolated Areas at Night 

Denver has a few large parks and open spaces that can be mostly empty and isolated at night. Take care to stick to busy streets and areas where you see other people around whenever possible. If you do have to pass through an isolated area, walk quickly and keep your head up. 

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

One of the best things you can do to stay safe when traveling is to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Keep your head up, stay off your phone, walk quickly and with purpose, and look around. This will signal to others that you’re alert and vigilant. 

Be Careful in LoDo at Night

LoDo is Denver’s primary nightlife area, full of bars, restaurants, and clubs. It can be a fun place to visit if you want to go out, but it’s definitely seedier than other parts of the city. There was a mass shooting just outside of a LoDo club about a block from Ophelia’s, a bar I was visiting on a trip in 2023. 

No one was killed, but several people were injured when a young woman opened fire on patrons outside of Whiskey Row, a club in LoDo after being denied entry. I left Ophelia’s about 10 minutes after the shooting happened and was immediately spooked by the hoards of police cars on the streets. 

Avoid Conflicts

You can’t control what other people do, but you can change how you react to the people around you. Whenever possible, avoid conflicts with others and do your best to de-escalate when and where you can. There’s always a risk that an escalating conflict, when mixed with firearms, could make for a lethal situation. 

Just try to be and let be. 

Hide Valuables When Parked

When you’re parking your car in Denver, be sure to hide any valuables, including small amounts of cash. Although $5 might not seem like much cash to you, it might be enough of a motivator for someone to break your window to take it – and the damage is sure to be costly to you. 

I recommend keeping your valuables in the trunk, if possible. 

Heed Public Safety Warnings

This post has focused almost exclusively on crime and violence threats in Denver, but the city does see some natural disasters. Threats like tornadoes, hail storms, blizzards, and wildfires sometimes strike in Colorado. To stay safe, be sure to heed any public safety warnings if or when they are issued during your time in Denver. 

If hiking, get and stay below the treeline after 12pm noon, when afternoon summer storms tend to roll in. 

FAQs: Is Denver Safe?

Considering visiting or moving to Denver and still wondering if the city is safe? Here are the answers to some common queries from other travelers.

Is Denver safe to walk around?

During the day, it is generally safe to walk around most any neighborhood in Denver. At night, you should avoid walking in isolated areas and stay alert while doing so. The nicest areas for walking around in Denver are RiNo, the Highlands and Commons Park (during the day), Baker, and Capitol Hill. 

Is Denver, Colorado a safe city to live in?

Denver is a somewhat safe city to live in, depending on the neighborhoods that you’re considering. The city’s crime rate is similar to Philadelphia, and there are frequently incidents of violent and property crime throughout the city. If possible, I would recommend moving to a residential part of the city, as the neighborhoods tend to feel safer than the commercial areas. 

What are the cons of Denver?

Denver isn’t a perfect place, and there are certainly some cons to living in the Mile High City. They include high costs of living, safety concerns, and the lack of public transit in the city. Locals can also be hard to get to know, with a heavy social emphasis on outings with alcohol and/or outdoor activities like hiking or cycling. 

Is Denver a healthy place to live?

Yes, Denver is a pretty healthy place to live, especially when compared to other cities in the US. Denver locals love to get outside, both during the week and on the weekends. Although you can find lots of types of food in Denver area restaurants, most local joints will have vegan and vegetarian options available. 

Conclusion: Is Denver Safe?

Denver is not one of the safest cities that you can visit in the US, but it’s still mostly safe for travel. Travelers should stick to popular neighborhoods in the city and avoid walking alone at night, especially through isolated parks or areas. Always remain vigilant of your surroundings and stay off of your phone while walking at night. 

The quickest and easiest way to feel safer when visiting Denver is to rent a car or use rideshare apps. Public transit is not very reliable within Denver, so it’s better to use rideshares or drive when you need to travel in the city. 

With these tips, you should be able to visit Denver and avoid any incidents.