Denver lags major U.S. cities in return to the office
Briefly

In July 2023, office visits in Denver decreased by 40% from July 2019, significantly higher than the national average decline of 22%. In June, average weekday employees downtown fell 39% from 2019. The city's office vacancy rates rose to 37% in the second quarter. Denver's appeal as a remote-friendly labor market and a hub for tech startups contributes to the slow return of employees. Mayor Mike Johnston aims to revitalize downtown through housing, retail, and events while city employees are required to work three days a week amid upcoming layoffs to address budget issues.
Denver's office visits in July plummeted by 40% compared to July 2019, contrasting sharply with other cities like New York where visits exceed pre-pandemic levels.
The Downtown Denver Partnership reported a 39% drop in average weekday employees downtown in June compared to 2019, indicating a significant shift in workforce dynamics.
Office vacancy rates in Denver's downtown reached 37% in the second quarter, signifying challenges for the commercial real estate market amidst shifting work patterns.
Mayor Mike Johnston is focusing on downtown revitalization, including housing expansion and activation events, to attract people back to work and create a robust neighborhood.
Read at Axios
[
|
]