Council District 9 Q4 2025 Updates

Welcome to Denver Public Art’s quarterly update—a roundup of new installations, works in progress and artist news happening across our city.

Each post in this series is organized by city council district. Not sure which district your neighborhood is in? Use the City of Denver’s interactive map to find out.

A large trompe l'oeil mural covering the exterior walls of a zoo building, photographed across Duck Lake on a clear autumn day. The mural creates the illusion of a classical stone rotunda with red columns opening onto a landscape of red rock formations and lush greenery. Large painted boulders flank the building on either side, blending seamlessly with the flat wall surface. The entire composition reflects in the still water of the lake in the foreground, where fallen yellow leaves float near the edge. Autumn trees and a deep blue sky frame the scene. — “HAVEN” by John Pugh

A HAVEN OF HARMONY

The long-awaited mural “HAVEN” by artist John Pugh is now complete at the Denver Zoo! Perched on the slopes of Duck Lake, this trompe l’oeil masterpiece blends seamlessly with City Park’s natural beauty—echoing red rocks, native grasslands and historic details like the Robert Burns monument. At its heart, a serene gathering of animals—both local and exotic—offers a powerful message: separation is an illusion, and unity is love.

A large bronze sculpture on a circular raised platform outside the National Western Complex. The dynamic composition depicts a cowgirl in a wide-brimmed hat and flowing cape holding a lasso, facing a charging longhorn steer with dramatically sweeping horns. The figures are connected by fluid, wave-like forms suggesting movement and energy. The building entrance is visible in the background. — “Taking Stock” by Cliff Garten

TAKING STOCK IN BRONZE

Visitors to the 2026 Stock Show will be greeted by a stunning new bronze sculpture: “Taking Stock” by Cliff Garten. Join us for the public dedication on January 21 at 3:30 PM and celebrate this bold addition to the National Western Complex!

A rendering of five colorful paleta cart-inspired sculptures arranged in an outdoor plaza setting against a purple dusk sky. Each piece features a large circular umbrella canopy with photographic mural imagery on the underside, lit with a glowing edge, mounted on a tall pole above a wooden bench and decorative cart base with wheels. The five pieces are each a different bold color — orange, blue, green, yellow, and red — creating a vibrant, festive grouping. — Design Rendering by KAMA Studios

A SWEET SPOT FOR COMMUNITY

The artist team KAMA Studios, Marcus Murray, Alyssa Mora, Kye Killian and Anthony Maes, is finalizing designs for a vibrant gathering space outside the newly renovated Swansea Recreation Center. Inspired by the iconic paleta cart, the concept features communal seating and colorful murals beneath paleta umbrellas, welcoming neighbors to connect and celebrate community.

A mural mockup composited onto a concrete retaining wall below a pedestrian bridge staircase at 44th and Broadway. The design depicts a procession of figures shown from the waist down, representing diverse community members in motion. From left to right, the figures include someone in a colorful folklórico skirt, a person pushing a stroller, two people walking together, someone in a floral skirt with red boots, and a person using a wheelchair. The backgrounds shift between pink, teal, orange, and yellow panels, with bold red circular accents. Street lights, bare trees, and a blue sky with clouds are visible above. — Mural Rendering by Coco and Jolt

MANY WALKS OF LIFE

Artist duo Coco and Jolt (Guerilla Garden) will transform the pedestrian bridge at 44th & Broadway into a colorful mural celebrating Globeville’s diversity—past, present, and future. Residents will be invited to join community paint days in the new year, making this artwork a true reflection of neighborhood pride.

MOSAIC MAGIC COMING SOON

Nicole Banowetz is fabricating her mosaic masterpiece for Central 70 Cover Park, which is set to be installed in Spring 2026. This piece promises to bring color and creativity to the heart of the park.

HONORING HISTORY AND SHAPING THE FUTURE

Artwork is on hold for the Mestizo-Curtis Park as Denver Parks & Recreation, the District 9 Office and a new Steering Committee finalize plans for the pool and facilities. Once the plans are solidified, nationally recognized artist Emanuel Martinez—creator of the iconic “Eyes on the Park” artwork on the current pool house, which will be removed during construction—will design a new piece to honor the park’s rich history and bright future. A native of the area, Martinez was born in a home just steps from the park. Denver Arts & Venues is committed to ensuring this transition is thoughtful and respectful.

ART IN MOTION

Five talented artists and organizations—Access Gallery, KoCo Collaborations, Justin “Juhb” DeCou, Lui Ferreyra and Janelle Stanley—have completed designs for 15 new stations along the Colfax Bus Rapid Transit project. Fabrication is underway, and the first installation is expected in January.

CREATIVITY AHEAD AT GLOBEVILLE LIBRARY & WASHINGTON STREET

Two exciting new public art projects will kick off in 2026. Selection panels are forming now to shape the vision for these community spaces. Calls for artists will be posted in early 2026.

SETTING THE STAGE

A panel has just been assembled to select a new suspended artwork for the Denver Performing Arts Complex galleria. Next, the panel will determine the goals and guidelines for this highly visible project and issue a call for artists.

MORE ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES TO COME IN 2026

In 2026, the Public Art Program will significantly scale up its work—initiating a record number of new projects citywide to stay on track with bond commitments. To that end, keep an eye out for many new RFQ announcements throughout the year. All calls are listed at www.denverpublicart.org/for-artists. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our quarterly Public Art newsletter for updates.