Tivoli Reimagined
A message from the Auraria Campus CEO, Colleen Walker
The Tivoli: A storied history, an iconic façade, and the heart of the Auraria Campus. Once a brewery, then a mall—students voted in 1991 to transform it for educational use. By 1994, the Tivoli Student Union opened its doors. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973, it remains a protected landmark and a central gathering place.
We all have a Tivoli memory—meeting friends, grabbing a bite, or finding the perfect study spot. It’s where school lines blur and CityHawks, Roadrunners, and Lynx come together. Now, it’s time for the Tivoli to get the “glow up” it deserves.
The Tivoli isn’t a single building, but a collection of interconnected spaces added over generations, each telling a story of its time. That layered history creates a unique opportunity: to unify the space into something cohesive, welcoming, and inspiring.
Today, Tivoli is many things: a coffee stop, study nook, event venue, thoroughfare, and hangout. Let’s shape it into a student union that invites people to linger—to study, collaborate, and celebrate. A place that energizes campus life and makes Auraria feel like home, even after your last class.
This is more than a renovation—it’s a legacy. While you may graduate before the vision is fully realized, you’ll always be a part of this place—and always welcome back as alumni. We’re asking for your ideas and input to help shape the Tivoli for generations to come.
This is your Tivoli Student Union. Let’s reimagine it—together.
Welcome to the Tivoli Program Plan Midpoint Check-In
Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts.
The Tivoli Student Union is one of the most important shared spaces on the Auraria Campus, and we want to make sure the future vision reflects the needs of the community that uses it every day.
Over the past several months, we’ve gathered feedback from students, faculty, staff, and campus partners through surveys, interviews, and meetings. We have taken all that information and translated it into early program concepts. These are not final designs. They are high-level ideas about how spaces could be organized, how services could be grouped, and how the Tivoli Student Union could better support student life, belonging, and campus identity.
This checkpoint is your chance to tell us:
- Did we understand your feedback correctly?
- Did we translate it into the right programmatic direction?
Your input now will help guide the next steps as we move toward more detailed program development work.
>> PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW BEFORE TAKING THE SURVEY
Engagement Timeline
August: Project Launch & Campus-Wide Engagement
- The Tivoli Reimagined engagement launched during the first two weeks of the Fall 2025 semester. In-person staffed information tables were hosted across campus at the Tivoli Student Union, Jordan Student Success Building, Student Commons, Confluence, and additional locations.
- During this time, a three-week online survey was launched, inviting students, faculty, and staff to share how they currently use the Tivoli, what spaces they value most, and what types of amenities, services, and environments they hope to see in the future renovation.
- To encourage participation, the survey offered incentives, including:
- Free parking pass giveaways
- Starbucks gift cards
- A digital coupon to the newly revamped Quad Side Tavern, that would be distributed to all participants who opted in to receive it once the venue reopened
- To encourage participation, the survey offered incentives, including:
- This survey served as the foundation for the program planning work that followed.
September: Focused Student Workshops
- We hosted a focused student engagement session on Wednesday, September 17, where participants took part in hands-on activities that directly informed the Tivoli Student Union redesign.
- All participants received a free Tivoli Reimagined t-shirt and lunch.
- All Starbucks gift card and parking pass winners from the August survey were notified and received their prize.
October: Program Development & Stakeholder Interviews
- We utilized student feedback from the August survey launch and the September student workshops to create two program plan scenarios, which were presented to the Steering Committee in October for additional input.
- These concepts were also shared at the Board meeting onOctober 22, where further guidance was provided.
- In early October, ZGF conducted interviews with all current Tivoli tenants to better understand operational needs and opportunities.
November: Refinement of the Program Plan
- Feedback from the Steering Committee and Board meeting was synthesized, leading to a single refined program plan that incorporated the highest-priority needs, preferences, and opportunities identified by campus partners.
- In partnership with Auraria Campus, the Quad Side Tavern coupon was distributed to all survey participants who opted in to receive it.
- The coupon is valid for use from November 17 – December 17, 2025 and provided a thank-you reward for contributing to the Tivoli engagement process.
December (We’re Here Now!): Midpoint Online Engagement
- A midpoint engagement effort is underway, including the launch of an interactive online video + survey experience running for four weeks.
- This phase provides an additional touchpoint for campus users to review design ideas and offer feedback.
- A virtual Steering Committee meeting will also take place to review progress and discuss next steps.
Late January – Early February: Town Halls
- Campus-wide and institution-specific Town Halls will be hosted across Auraria Campus to present updated concepts, collect feedback, and prepare for the final phase of design refinement.
- Stay tuned for dates, locations, and hybrid options.
Early March: Final Program Plan Completion
The final Tivoli Reimagined program plan is anticipated to be completed in early March, incorporating all engagement collected throughout Fall 2025 and early Spring 2026.
Project phases
FAQs
Q: Who’s on the steering committee?
A: The 28-member steering committee membership includes folks from the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, the University of Colorado Denver, and Auraria Campus. Students, faculty, and staff are represented on the committee as well.
Q: Who’s paying for this?
A: We know funding is a key concern, especially for students. Here’s how we’re approaching it:
Phase I: Maintenance and Repairs
Auraria Campus is requesting $26.9 million in Capital Renewal Funds from the State of Colorado to address critical maintenance needs (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.). These funds are designated specifically for public buildings.
Phase II: Tivoli Reimagined
The broader renovation and modernization project will be funded through a mix of sources:
A Capital Construction Fund request to the State Legislature
Potential public-private partnerships (P3s) that can bring in outside investment to help support long-term infrastructure or retail opportunities
A student fee, but only if needed and only with full transparency, student involvement, and decision-making
Think of this like contributing to a shared public service—similar to how we fund libraries, parks, or transit. Everyone chips in to create something lasting, equitable, and accessible. This is legacy work. We’re investing in a student union that is open, safe, and welcoming for all—a space that reflects the diverse needs of our community, now and for generations to come.
Q: How will feedback be used?
A: Feedback from students, faculty, and staff will directly inform the program plan for the Tivoli Student Union. ZGF is building on the 2021 feasibility study conducted by Hord Coplan Macht by validating earlier insights and expanding on them through fresh engagement this fall. Your input will help shape how the building functions, feels, and serves the campus community.
Q: Will there be more student spaces/lounge areas?
A: That depends on you! The Auraria Campus will use feedback from this fall’s engagement efforts to develop the program plan for the Tivoli Student Union. If students express a strong desire for more lounge areas or student-focused spaces, that input will directly shape the final plan. Your voice matters—now’s the time to share what you want to see.
Q: Will Tivoli close during construction?
A: The Tivoli Student Union will remain open during the engagement and planning process. Once construction begins, certain areas may be temporarily closed, but our goal is to keep the building open throughout the project. If any closures or service relocations are needed, they will be communicated in advance. We’re committed to minimizing disruptions to students, staff, and visitors.Q: Will Tivoli close during construction?
Q: Will student services still be available?
A: Yes! All student services will remain available throughout the project. If any services need to be temporarily relocated due to construction, those changes will be communicated in advance to ensure continued access and support.
Q: How will space be allocated?
A: As part of the Tivoli Reimagined project, we plan to develop a transparent and collaborative process for space allocation. The program plan will include a strategic framework that outlines how spaces should function and which services or activities should be co-located to best serve the campus community. Any future space assignment process will be guided by this strategy to ensure the Tivoli remains a functional, accessible, and student-centered union. We encourage you to share your feedback during this planning phase—your input will help shape a space allocation process that reflects shared governance and equity.
Contact:
Got ideas? Got questions? Just want to get to know the Tivoli Reimagined team?
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re curious, excited, or ready to get involved, email us at TivoliReimagined@ahec.edu