The Future of the Downtown Denver YMCA
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Downtown Denver YMCA property at 25 E. 16th Avenue is being sold to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH), allowing this nonprofit organization to expand and reconfigure the property into affordable rental and supportive housing units, expand community spaces and add a social enterprise that serves residents and the broader neighborhood.
The decision reflects a shared commitment to serving Denver’s evolving needs. CCH and the Denver YMCA have shared the historic building for more than 20 years. In 2001, the YMCA sold a majority of the property to the Coalition, retaining ~45,000 square feet. Both non-profit organizations have operated side-by-side – CCH providing permanent supportive housing on the upper floors, and the YMCA offering wellness programs, adult sports and summer camp on the lower levels. As Denver faces a growing affordable housing crisis, the two organizations saw an opportunity to create an even greater impact.
It was a difficult decision, as we realize it will impact our Denver YMCA community. As responsible stewards of our YMCA resources, we want to ensure that we optimize our spaces and programs to truly meet the needs of our community.
December 30, 2025
Members will be offered the chance to transfer their membership to any of the YMCA’s five metro Denver locations: Schlessman Family YMCA in University Hills, Duncan Family YMCA in Arvada, Aurora YMCA at Wheatlands, Littleton YMCA or the Southwest YMCA. See a map of those locations.
As always, members can visit any location in Denver and nationwide as part of their membership.
For any Downtown member who transfers their membership to another Denver YMCA, they will receive their first month of membership for free. Transfer your membership by completing this form.
If you elect not to join another Denver YMCA, your last day of membership will be December 30, 2025; however, we hope very much you will continue your membership with the YMCA.
All members will be offered the opportunity to transfer their membership to one of our 5 metro area YMCAs.
To transfer a membership, members should complete this form.
If an annual member elects not to join another Denver YMCA, your last day of membership will be December 30, 2025, your membership will be cancelled, and a portion of your annual membership will be refunded.
If you choose, you can continue to support the YMCA by directing your refund to the YMCA’s Annual Fundraising Campaign, which provides scholarships to individuals and families who cannot afford it, so they can participate in Y membership and programs.
Make changes to your membership by completing this form.
We will cease selling monthly, recurring and annual memberships to the Downtown Y on Dec. 1, 2025. We will also cease selling Pilates Reformer, personal training and Studio Y packages at the Downtown Y on Dec. 1.
Individuals can purchase a membership and other packages from our 5 other locations.
We will continue to sell Day Passes for the Downtown Y through Dec. 30
As we wind down the closure of the branch, hours and classes may be adjusted. We will post any revisions for hours and send out mobile app alerts.
Continue to check your mobile app for class schedules and book through the mobile app through Dec. 30.
The YMCA will honor any package you’ve purchased at the YMCA in the last six months.
You may continue to use the programs at the Downtown Y through Dec. 30, 2025. After that time, your package/credits will honored at one of our 5 Denver YMCAs. Complete this form to transfer your package to another location.
Our goal is to host YMCA Summer Camp in central Denver, and we will be looking for a partner location. Summer Camp 2026 registration opens to members on Jan. 21 and to non-members on Jan. 28 and there will be an option to register. More information will come in the weeks ahead.
We would love for our Downtown Y community to stay connected! We will share information in the coming days about how to stay connected.
Thank you for thinking of our YMCA Staff! Please express your appreciation to them when you see them over the next month.
Also, members and staff are invited to activities celebrating our 150th anniversary on Dec. 30. See details below.
Yes! As part of our 150th anniversary celebration, we invite you to join us on Tuesday, Dec. 30 for appreciation festivities. We will host a breakfast bar from 7:30-9 AM and a “Thank you, Y Community” Open House from 4:30-6:30 PM. Watch for more details on this celebration.
The Downtown Y has always been more than a building—it’s a community built through friendships, shared goals and memories that will continue to live on wherever our Y family gathers.
We are working to offer Downtown Y staff members opportunities within our existing association, including front desk and fitness roles at our other locations and in programs such as Out of School Time and child care at locations across the city.
While we do not have immediate plans to open a new fitness facility, we haven't ruled it out. We are currently in a Strategic Planning process, and the research and input from that planning will guide our next steps in this area.
We are committed to continuing to serve the needs of the central Denver community in a “Y without walls” model.
Our Youth Development programs -- YMCA Out of School Time program continues at Palmer Elementary School. Our successful Power Scholars program operates at Garden Place Elementary, Montclair School Swansea Elementary, and Wyatt Academy, and we will continue to work with partners to identify locations for our summer day camp in 2026.
To change a membership and/or personal training/Pilates Reformer or other package, complete this form.
