While Coloradans are best known for their love of the outdoors, they have passions that remain indoors as well. As illustrated by a recent National Endowment of the Arts survey, Colorado is ranked No. 1 in trips to theaters, concert halls, and museums. In the metropolitan Denver area, over 11,000 people work in arts and culture according to the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts’ 2016 Economic Activity Study. In addition, over 14 million people participated in a cultural activity in 2015 fueling a 1.8 billion dollar economic impact to the region.

Arts and culture have always been part of the story of Commerce City and an emerging arts scene is bringing it to the forefront. Public art creates a sense of place and facilitates attachments between visitors and their communities. Commerce City visitors can enjoy artwork thanks to a public art plan that dedicates 1 percent of the construction cost for capital improvement projects over $50,000 to the creation of public art.

Art lovers can also look to the future as Commerce City’s evolving art scene is beginning to emerge. A local photographer and art consultant has proposed to turn a 2,500-square-foot, former auto parts store into studio and exhibition space in the Derby neighborhood.

History buffs can savor the past at the Commerce City Historical Society, through objects that trace the city’s origin as a trading fort and a one room schoolhouse to the booming city it is today.