News
More than 2,700 Market at the Center visitors, 1,000+ community access tickets, workforce development, food distribution and family resources highlight January–July 2026
DENVER, CO — The National Western Center Authority (NWCA) today shared highlights from the first half of 2026, reflecting continued momentum in its commitment to delivering tangible, measurable benefits to the Globeville, Elyria and Swansea (GES) community and the greater Denver metro area.
In 2026 the National Western Center and its community partners expanded access to campus and cultural experiences, supported local entrepreneurs and small businesses, connected families with essential resources, invested in workforce development and supported community-led events and initiatives.
“Community impact is at the heart of the National Western Center’s vision for this campus,” said Kate Girotti, CEO, National Western Center. “We want the investment happening at the National Western Center to extend beyond our buildings and infrastructure and create tangible benefits for the people and neighborhoods around us. The first half of 2026 demonstrates what is possible when we build strong partnerships and create opportunities for residents to participate, connect and succeed.”
Mid-Year 2026 By the Numbers
Community-Centered Programming
Market at the Center continued its seasonal marketplace at the Main Campus Plaza, building on the model established earlier in the year in collaboration with CSU Spur’s Second Saturdays and The Legacy. The marketplace provides local entrepreneurs and small businesses with opportunities to showcase culturally rooted food, art and traditions while offering free, family-friendly entertainment and activities to the community.
Through July, Market at the Center welcomed more than 2,700 visitors and featured more than 55 local vendors, artisans, food entrepreneurs, nonprofits and community partners.
Expanding Cultural Access
The National Western Center continued to create opportunities for GES residents to experience educational, recreational and cultural programming both on and beyond the campus.
More than 1,000 complimentary campus and cultural access tickets were distributed from January through July. These opportunities build on partnerships with organizations and programs including the March Pow Wow, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Denver Museum of Nature & Science and National Western Center campus events.
Investing in People and Economic Opportunity
The National Western Center’s community investment extends beyond programming and events to initiatives designed to create long-term economic opportunity for GES residents.
So far in 2026, $167,000 has been raised for the GES Community Investment Fund.
This work builds on the Authority’s broader commitment to creating economic opportunities. In 2025, 45% of the Authority’s operational spend—$3.6 million—went to local, small, disadvantaged, minority-owned or women-owned businesses, while vendor contracts created 300 jobs in 2025 and more than 1,500 jobs since the Authority’s founding.
Through the UCAN Pre-Apprenticeship Ready Program, 19 residents graduated during the first six months of 2026 after completing workforce readiness training, OSHA certification, financial literacy, leadership development and apprenticeship preparation. The program helps create a pipeline of local talent prepared for careers in the skilled trades while supporting the future workforce connected to the National Western Center redevelopment.
The National Western Center also continued supporting Sabor Comunitario, a culinary workforce and entrepreneurship program operating from the CSU Spur Terra Building. In 2026, the program had 22 graduates, ages 18 – 85. Designed specifically for GES residents, the program provides culinary training, food safety certification, business education and entrepreneurial skills that can prepare participants for careers in the food industry or future business ownership. Participants have also had opportunities to showcase their skills at National Western Center events, including Market at the Center.
Supporting Families and Community Needs
Community resource distribution remains a cornerstone of the National Western Center’s neighborhood support.
Through its partnership with We Don’t Waste, the National Western Center supported a monthly community food market that served 1,677 households and reached 9,650 individuals from January through July, distributing more than 600,000 pounds of food.
Through its partnership with WeeCycle, the National Western Center helped families access essential baby supplies, serving 2,605 children and distributing more than 111,000 diapers, 2,600 packages of wipes and 1,200 containers of infant formula during the first seven months of the year.
These ongoing efforts reflect an approach to community investment that addresses immediate needs while also creating pathways to longer-term opportunity.
Keeping Community Voice at the Center
Community engagement also means ensuring residents and community stakeholders have a voice in the continued development of the National Western Center.
The Community Advisory Committee meets monthly, while the Community Benefit Committee meets every other month. The Authority also participates in regional and neighborhood partnerships, including the Denver North Business Association, RiNo Art District and Triangle Planning, to strengthen relationships and ensure community perspectives remain represented in future planning efforts.
The Authority continues to coordinate with partners including CSU Spur, the Mayor’s Office of the National Western Center, the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, the National Western Stock Show Association and community stakeholders.
Looking Ahead
Community Outreach & Engagement will continue building on the first half of 2026 through the remainder of the year, with priorities including the September Market at the Center, continued participation in Triangle Planning, the annual Trunk or Treat event, monthly food and family resource distributions, the We Don’t Waste Canstruction event, holiday giving and continued workforce development through UCAN and Sabor Comunitario.
“As the National Western Center continues to grow, our commitment to creating community benefit must grow with it,” said Girotti. “We are proud of the partnerships that are helping turn the vision for this campus into tangible opportunities for our neighbors, and we look forward to continuing that work together.”
About the National Western Center Authority
The National Western Center Authority is helping lead the transformation of a 250-acre campus in north Denver into a year-round global destination that brings together education, research, agriculture, entertainment, events and community. The Authority works with public, private and community partners to advance the National Western Center vision and create lasting benefits for Denver and the surrounding region.
