Denver Federal Center

West 6th Avenue and Kipling Street
Lakewood, CO 80225

Whether the Denver Federal Center is your new workplace or you’re planning an upcoming visit, this information will help you navigate our 623-acre campus.

Hours of operation

The DFC is open to the public from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

Campus access

Employees and visitors must stop and show identification, (i.e., government ID or a valid driver’s license) to enter at all gates. Visitors must enter at Gates 1, 4 or 5 only.

• Gate 1 Kipling near Alameda Ave.* Lane 1 is for visitors, Lanes 2 and 3 are for employees. Lane 2 is the 24 hour key card access on weekends and after hours. Any weekend deliveries would come through Gate 1. Hours of operation are from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday. Gate 1 is the only gate open on weekends and federal holidays.
• Gate 2 Kipling and Center Ave. Employee access only and all deliveries are to come through this gate during the week. Hours of operation are from 5:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday. Federal holidays excluded.
• Gate 4 Union and Fourth Ave.* Both employee and visitor entrance. No deliveries. Hours of operation are from 5:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Monday - Friday.
• Gate 5 Union and Second Pl.* Both employee and visitor entrance. No deliveries. Hours of operation are from 5:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.
• Gate 7 Alameda and Seventh St. Employee entrance only and no deliveries. Hours of operation are from 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday - Friday. 

*Visitor gate access

Quick Tip: DFC Buildings are named for the street in which they are located and run south to north. For example, Building 40 is located on Fourth Street closer to Main Street, while Building 41 is on Fourth Street and closer to North Avenue.

Parking, public transportation, and EV charging stations

• Parking throughout the DFC is open to visitors unless specifically designated. Visitor spaces are located near building entrances. Parking spaces are designated as 30 minute, one-hour or two-hour spaces.
• Requirements for leaving privately-owned vehicles at the DFC
• Public Transportation
  • RTD Denver
• The DFC has the 22 fully functional electric vehicle charging stations at 11 stations available for your use. Located at the solar parking arrays at:
  • Building 20
  • Building 25
  • Building 53
  • Building 810 (SW side)

Safety and security

In order to make this facility safe for you and those who work here, we request that you comply with the following guidelines:

• DFC prohibited list
  • Firearms and ammunition of any type, including carried, concealed carry or possessed (except for official purposes) 
  • Bladed, edge or sharp objects
  • Club-like items and striking devices
  • All explosives
  • Incendiaries - not excessive amount
  • Disabling chemicals and other dangerous items
  • Narcotics are prohibited at the DFC.
  • Alcoholic beverages are prohibited from all areas of the campus.
  • Smoking is prohibited in all buildings. Outdoor designated smoking areas are provided.
  • Private or commercial solicitation is not allowed on the facility.
• Please be prepared to present a government ID or a valid driver’s license at the gate.
• For your safety, seat belts are required to be worn at all times.
• Vehicles may be subject to inspection upon entrance.
• Only service animals used to assist people with disabilities may be brought onto the campus.
• Please secure bicycles only to racks at building entrances.
• For your protection, closed circuit television cameras are in use.
• Please drive in a careful and safe manner at all times and comply with signals and directions of the Federal Protective Officers.
• GSA mass notification system alert program allows us to contact as many tenants as possible, across the Rocky Mountain region, in both federally owned and leased facilities in the event of an emergency, critical or urgent situation. To sign up or ask questions, please contact Jamie Whiles at jamie.whiles@gsa.gov or 303-328-1667.

For facility emergencies, call 888.999.4777.

*Quick tip: Be aware of speed limits around campus. We have many pedestrians and cyclists and we want to make sure our campus remains safe.

DFC amenities

Dining options

Our campus offers a number of convenient cafeterias. We encourage visitors from other buildings to visit these cafeterias. High-security buildings will require visitors to sign in or present their identification badges before access is allowed to the cafeterias.

• Building 41 Einstein’s Bros Bagels (Floor 1) 7 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tuesday - Thursday.
• DFC Buildings 25 and 810 (W-7) Grab & Go, Open 24/7

Banking

• ATM is available at Building 41, Einstein’s Lobby

Child care

There are two GSA child care facilities available in close proximity to the DFC. Full-day programs are available for children as young as eight weeks old and continue through kindergarten. Please check directly with the following centers for openings.

• Clever Kids Learning Center is located at Building 64. 303.236.9400.
• Advantage Learning Center is located at the Veterans Affairs building, less than one mile from the DFC. For more information, call 303.914.5482.

Wellness and fitness center

Denver Federal Center Wellness Center/Absolute Personal Fitness
Location: Building 75
Contact: 303-236-6911, phil@AbsolutePersonalFitness.net
Hours: Monday and Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday:  8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Friday: 8:30 - 11:45 a.m. (new hours as of August, 2023) 

Park pavilion

Bicentennial Park Pavilion 
4th Street and Main Avenue
Perfect location for your staff picnic. It features a commercially rated stand alone dual grill. Users must provide their own 20lb propane tank for each of the two grills.
For Bicentennial Park reservations, please call the GSA Ambassador’s Desk at 303-236-1970 or DFCfacilities@gsa.gov.

Bicycle rental

DFCycle program

• GSA Bike Share Program reduces greenhouse gas emissions, promotes public transit and improves community connectivity.
• Use of the DFCycles is free and cycles must remain on the DFC.
• Simply press the button located next to the cycles to retract them.
• To return to a kiosk, simply dock the cycle, no need to press the button.
• Kiosks are located at Gate 5 and buildings:
  • 20
  • 25
  • 41
  • 85
  • 810

Fed Cup race

• The DFC Fed Cup started as a fun run in 1983 and is now a tradition that takes place every May.
• It is touted as the most affordable 5K in Colorado.
• Details are published annually by a third party organizer.

FOH health centers

• FOH operates health clinics in several of GSA buildings across the region.
• Stop by for a free flu shot, blood pressure check, meet with a nurse to have an injury treated or get a referral for additional treatment.
• The DFC FOH Health Unit is located at Building 25, Room 2331.

Intramural sports

During the summer months, DFC softball and kickball leagues offer a fun way to be active while building camaraderie. Ask your agency representative for more information.

Walking trails

The DFC is home to several walking paths. One of our favorites is located east of Building 41’s main entrance. This walking path is made of recycled tires and provides a comfortable walking path. This trail also features outdoor fitness equipment.

• DFC Fitness Map [PDF - 80 KB]
• DFC one-mile walking path [PDF - 114 KB]
• DFC one-mile walking path [PDF - 179 KB]

DFC history

The DFC has a rich and interesting history. In 1940, Hayden Ranch was the largest livestock operation in the Denver area. The ranch land was sold to the federal government to provide space for the Denver Ordnance Plant  during World War II. The DFC museum holds more than 360 historic artifacts, from the history of DFC land beginning with the history of the Hayden Ranch and DOP. 

DFC tours

• Building 810 National Ice Core Laboratory (NICL) is the primary repository for ice cores collected by the United States. 
• Building 56 Bureau of Reclamation water dams.
• Historic bunkers.
• Self-guided solar tour on north side of campus.