A PROVEN MODEL

More than 70 cities around the globe have created an Office of Nighttime Economy to help manage what goes on after dark —— both the positive and the negative.

ETHOS

The cultural and financial economies built around what takes place at night are invaluable to every city. Nighttime activities support jobs, generate revenue, bring people together, and help define a city’s character.

Many urban centers around the world have developed permanent structures entirely dedicated to managing the complexities of their nighttime economies. These organizations are tasked with balancing the economic and cultural benefits of nighttime activity with the need for safety, public order, and quality of life.

“We have a unique opportunity to think proactively about positive ways to activate the city after dark in order to create joy across the city rather than fear. I’ve been encouraged by Stephen Brackett’s work here in Denver to drive forward the concept of a night mayor, and will work collaboratively with the city and community partners to invest in and prioritize a safe, vibrant nightlife economy.”

— MIKE JOHNSTON, MAYOR

WHY NOW?

Denver has rapidly developed into one of the country’s most competitive music markets, earning the nickname “Bass Music Capital of the World” along the way.

A 2022 Pollstar study found Denver the 8th largest concert market in the United States. That same year, Denverites ranked 4th in the country for entertainment spending.

Billboard declared our iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre the top-grossing, most attended concert venue of any size, anywhere on the planet in 2021. It broke its attendance record again last year.

As our city grows into its relatively new status as a major arts destination, it faces an existential question:

How will Denver balance commercial success and expanding audiences with preserving its existing creative communities and inclusive culture?

Denver needs to address the inevitable social pressures and demands that come with being an entertainment hub.

Embracing the ONE model represents a significant step towards supporting the sustainability of Denver’s thriving entertainment sector, and helping maximize its potential as an integral player in our city’s cultural and economic future. 

“We have an opportunity to course-correct for the city, and we have this very small window, and if we don't...it feels like cultural erosion is what's happening. We're just losing more and more of the topsoil.”

— STEPHEN BRACKETT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A few of our peer OFFICES:

Link to a full map of Night Offices and Mayors worldwide:

https://www.nighttime.org/map/

For even more information on the ONE model:

Acuto, M., & Seijas, A. (2021). Managing Cities at Night: A Practitioner Guide to the Urban Governance of the Night-Time Economy. Policy Press.

Cibin, A. (2021). Forms of Night-Time Economy Governance: A Framework Towards Clarification. In Transforming Urban Nightlife and the Development of Smart Public Spaces (pp. 22-39). IGI Global.

Seijas, A., & Gelders, M. M. (2021). Governing the night-time city: The rise of night mayors as a new form of urban governance after dark. Urban Studies, 58(2), 316-334

VibeLab (2020): Global Nighttime Recovery Plan (GNPR), Chapter 5: Nighttime Governance in Times of Covid-19