Stapleton History

A Look into the Past

1929 Denver Municipal Airport

Called the "Union Station of the Air," and heralded as the most modern facility in the country, the Denver Municipal Airport was constructed by the City of Denver. Many saw the building of the airport as a way of insuring Denver's future growth and prosperity.

1950s - 1980s

By the late 1950s, the jet age was a reality and the need to expand the facilities and runways became a necessity. Additional land was acquired from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. In 1964, the airport's name was officially changed to Stapleton International Airport. By 1985, the airport had grown to 4,700 acres.

1987 Denver International Airport is Born

In 1987, the Colorado General Assembly authorized voters to decide whether a parcel of land in Adams County could be annexed to the City and County of Denver for a new airport site. In 1988, voters approved the annexation and Denver voters endorsed the plan in the May 1989 election.

1990 Creating the Stapleton Development Foundation

In 1990, a group of civic and business leaders created the Stapleton Development Foundation. Financed by private philanthropy, this nonprofit group was formed as a civic vehicle to work in partnership with the City administration. In 1993, the city of Denver entered into a partnership agreement with the Foundation.

1995 Stapleton Plan Adopted — Airport Closes

In 1995, after an extensive community outreach effort, the Foundation produced the Stapleton Development Plan, known as the "Green Book." This document established the framework for redeveloping Stapleton. The Denver City Council adopted the Stapleton Development Plan. After 66 years, Stapleton International Airport closes.

1998 Forest City Selected As Master Developer

Through 1999 and 2000, Forest City worked with the City of Denver, the Stapleton Development Corporation, the Stapleton Citizens Advisory Board, the Stapleton Foundation and the Denver community, as well as scores of design, financial, and legal experts to make the Stapleton "Green Book" become a reality.

2001 Stapleton Construction Begins

In the spring, Forest City purchased the first Stapleton land from the City and began construction of streets and utilities. By fall, construction began on the Visitor Center, model homes and the Quebec Square Regional Retail Center.

2002 Stapleton Visitor Center & Models Open

The New Year saw the opening of the Stapleton Visitor and Homefinder Center. By spring, Stapleton's first model homes opened. Summertime found the Quebec Square Regional Retail Center opening, and construction began on the East 29th Avenue Town Center and Botanica on the Green Apartments. The summer also found the first residents calling Stapleton home. By year-end, Stapleton was well on its way to becoming Denver's next great neighborhoods.

2003 A Year of Firsts

By mid-year, over 500 families are living at Stapleton and our second annual Founders' Day celebrated the opening of the first neighborhood pool. East 29th Avenue Town Center saw the opening of the King Soopers grocery store in July. Stapleton's first elementary school opened its doors to eager new students in August. Forest City moves to new Town Center offices in November.

2004

In February, Stapleton's first apartment residents moved into their new Town Center rental homes. By spring, over 1,000 homes are occupied by an estimated 2,500 new Stapleton residents. In the fall, education at Stapleton will continue to grow with the opening of Stapleton's first high school, the Denver School of Science and Technology. Construction will also begin on Central Park and the 1.1 million square-foot Northfield Stapleton retail mall.

2005

The Denver School of Science and Technology opened. Stapleton's 5,000 residents saw the opening of the second neighborhood pool, "Puddle Jumper," in the summer; and in the fall the first stores at Northfield opened.

2006

The William R. Roberts School opened in August. Stapleton's own fire station opened. Northfield's Main Street opened to much fanfare in October. Stapleton's population grew to nearly 6,800 residents.