Last weekend, I went to the Underground Music Showcase, a large three day music festival on South Broadway in Denver. I have been consistently going for the past 5 years save the one year during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when it was shut down. Hell, I’ve come to know some of the organizers over the years and more consistent performers. From my past experiences, this UMS was one of my favorites, particularly due to the fact that there was significantly better shade coverings than the previous year, and that I stayed pretty much all of Saturday from 1PM to 1AM.
The one wish I have for next UMS, as I have had for every UMS since moving here, is that it would be a car free event: That is, to say, opening up the streets for people and festival attendees, perhaps even having a handful of stages along Broadway.
This wish was something that I have for years, and until recently, it was unprecedented that large swaths of Broadway itself could be closed off to cars. Since then, two events have taken place that have taken place that strengthen my belief that, even if for a day, a car free UMS is possible.
The first event is Viva Streets. Though Viva Streets is largely shaped by volunteers and law enforcement, while UMS is an event that operates using a mix of security contractors, paid full-time staff, medical staff and artists, and some volunteers, there is enough in common that both events have beyond just being located on south Broadway. The biggest of these, and most relevant, is the hardcore fandom of many people that want both to succeed. With Viva Streets, this is mainly composed of urbanists who have seen the success of cities such as Bogota and Mexico City in closing off their streets. With UMS, this shows up in the fans of the various artists that consistently show up to the event. If UMS could create a volunteer corps similar to that Viva Streets that could aid other officials in keeping the section of Broadway car free, the event could from a logistics standpoint work out.
The second hope I have is in a new mayoral administration and council. Newly elected Mayor Johnston’s office and Councilmember Alvidrez have made nods towards appreciating good urbanism in Denver, including with Johnston’s pledge to make Denver an easier city to be car-free in and Alvidrez being a person that rides a bike. A willingness from the Administration, along with political pressure from a councilmember will make it a slightly lighter lift from the current managers of the festival, Youth on Record, to do the nitty gritty background work of getting South Broadway shut down to traffic.
I absolutely love UMS, and am happy that we have it as a festival. In a new age, where we already have other events that have proven car free streets on Broadway are popular and a receptive administration and councilmember that can be persuaded, this reality is closer to happening than we think if we can advocate for it.
Colorado Car Free 
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