Denver's Union Station reopens to serve commuters, visitors

Union Station in Denver officially opened late last week following an extensive renovation project that required the station to be closed since December 2012.

The project focused on preserving the station's historically significant architectural features, as well as returning the building to its origins as a multi-modal transit hub and local hospitality destination, Denver officials said in a press release.

"This building means so much to our history and to our potential for the future. Already Union Station, with its Crawford Hotel and new retail, has spurred a $1.8 billion wave of new opportunity in the area," said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.

The facility now includes multiple restaurants, which were created by Denver's top restaurants and chefs. The upper floors of the north and south wings of the building are occupied by The Crawford Hotel, named for Colorado's legendary preservationist, Dana Crawford, one of the partners responsible for the new transit center.

The Regional Transportation District of Denver's (RTD) commuter- and light-rail trains and and buses connect behind the station along with Amtrak trains. In 2016, the rail line from Denver International Airport will arrive at Union Station. RTD has granted the Union Station Alliance a 99-year lease of the building.