The artist behind Denver's beloved “Love This City” mural just painted over his own work, and he did it on purpose. Pat Milbery, who created the original piece at Broadway and Park Avenue in 2016, is now revitalizing the design with help from everyday Denver residents, aiming to capture more of what makes the city unique.
Milbery told Denver7 that he worked alone on the first mural and chose to involve residents in this iteration. Locals are painting alongside him as the design takes shape.
Milbery told the station that covering the original wall was a difficult decision, but he felt the mural was ready for a refresh. He said the new work is intended to be open to residents’ own interpretations rather than belonging to him alone.
Residents Help Reimagine a Familiar Wall
Denver residents joined Milbery to paint over the old design and help shape its replacement. Lauren Cowden, a participant, described the process to Denver7 as an opportunity to reconsider the artwork with the community in mind.
Fellow participant Dameda Finney told the station the gathering was about being together and doing things that uplift people. The painting session also raised money for a cause connected to Denver veterans.
A Veterans Day Fundraiser Woven Into the Paint
Held on Veterans Day, the community painting session also served as a fundraiser for Veterans Exploration Therapy, a nonprofit that uses adventure to help veterans get out into the world. The organization’s founder, Deke Letson, told Denver7 that its work is about building connection and purpose.
Veterans Exploration Therapy describes itself as a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) that supports veterans and their families, according to its website. The group says it uses adventure as a catalyst to reach veterans who fall through the cracks of the traditional system, a mission that lines up with the collaborative spirit of the repainted mural.
A Project With Deep Denver Roots
The “Love This City” series has a long history of pulling other Denver residents into the process. What began as a two-mural campaign with VISIT Denver in 2016, marking the 10th anniversary of Denver Arts Week, later grew into six murals scattered across the city's neighborhoods, according to Pat Milbery Creative.
Community involvement isn't new to the series either. Back in 2017, 15 teenagers helped paint the fourth “Love This City” installation on a sheet-metal building at 3800 Blake Street in the RiNo Art District, as part of a TEDx Adventure collaboration reported by Westword. That same RiNo mural later became the subject of a rescue effort when its building faced demolition, with Milbery and the building's owner pulling the painted panels free to save the artwork, as detailed by 303 Magazine.
Who Maintains Denver’s Murals?
Denver Public Art’s policy assigns maintenance of murals on private property to the property owner; for projects on public property, the city says it will make efforts to conserve them and give the artist the first opportunity to restore or repair the work. The policy does not establish which category the Broadway and Park Avenue mural falls into, or settle its maintenance or alteration arrangements. Denver Public Art, City and County of Denver, outlines the distinction. Denver Arts & Venues says it oversees the Denver Public Art program, including maintenance of the city’s art collection. That description does not establish whether the Broadway and Park Avenue mural is part of the collection. Denver Arts & Venues describes its role.
Back at Broadway and Park Avenue, Milbery expects the refreshed mural to be finished before Thanksgiving. For now, the wall stands as a work in progress, shaped by whoever picks up a brush.
