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The first thing you should know about the recently opened Commons on Champa is that it's free to work there. The second thing you need to know is that an impressive array of interests came together to make it possible. The Commons on Champa are a public-private partnership, and most of the stuff inside the building was donated.
The incubator has all the trappings of a brand-new co-working space. There's a 1-gigabit Internet connection, a bunch of desks of varying heights, some conference spaces, etc. There will even be a coffee and snack bar.
The space is bright and inviting, although admittedly only once you're inside. The Commons sits inside a city run building, and it looks like it from the street. There is some cool graffiti near the entrance, and the building’s exterior manages to be grandiose, gritty and artsy at the same time. Regardless, the interior is what counts, and it is nice. The interior was designed by Drumbeat, the same company that designed Battery 621 and Industry.
The first floor has a lounge where anybody can come in and work for free. There are several conference rooms with state of the art screens and whiteboards. There is a large event space towards the Speer side of the building that overlooks 'The Dancers' statue. Public art graces the walls, and colorful multimedia pieces are scattered around the space. The Commons are connected to the Denver Performing Arts Complex, after all.
Upstairs there is an area where nonprofits that help entrepreneurs can rent permanent desk space. So far, the Colorado Technology Association, KidsTek, Eat Denver, and Blackstone Entrepreneurial Network all maintain a presence there.
The space is also going to be used as a hub for programming and events focusing on expanding entrepreneurship in Denver and helping people set up a business. You can find a list of upcoming programming here.
If you haven’t had a chance to check out it out yet, pop on by — it is free after all.
The photos below are from the Commons on Champa's grand opening:
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