(RFP) Skyline Park Concession Services

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR
Skyline Park Concession Services
Solicitation # 202685513
Department of Parks and Recreation
September 11, 2026
RFP 2026: Skyline Park Concession Services
Page 1 of 35

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Skyline Park Concession Services
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................. 2
Notice of Availability of Requests for Proposals ................................................................... 4
SECTION 1 - Invitation to Submit a Proposal ..................................................................... 6
SECTION 2 - Scope of Work ................................................................................................ 7
A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................... 7
B. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ............................................................................... 7
C. SCOPE OF WORK ..................................................................................................... 9
D. COMPENSATION .....................................................................................................14
E. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS .....................................................................................14
F. PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BOND/ LETTER OF CREDIT .............................14
SECTION 3 - Proposal Submittal Requirements ...............................................................14
A. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS .................................................................................14
B. PRICING ...................................................................................................................17
C. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION .................17
SECTION 4 - General Requirements ...................................................................................18
A. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION ...........................................................................18
B. DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ......................................................................19
C. APPLICABLE LAW...................................................................................................19
D. PERMITS & LICENSES ............................................................................................19
E. ASSIGNMENTS AND SUBCONTRACTS .................................................................19
F. HOLD HARMLESS ...................................................................................................19
G. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ......................................................................................19
H. NON-EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT ................................................................................19
I. CONTRACT CERTIFICATION ..................................................................................19
J. SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION ..............................................................20
K. DENVER WAGE LAWS ............................................................................................20
L. PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE BOND/LETTER OF CREDIT ..............................20
M. FOOD HANDLING ORDINANCE ..............................................................................20
SECTION 5 - Selection Process .........................................................................................20
RFP 2026: Skyline Park Concession Services
Page 2 of 35

A. SELECTION COMMITTEE ........................................................................................20
B. CONTACTS ..............................................................................................................20
C. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S DECISION .....................................................................21
D. CAUSES FOR APPLICATION REJECTION AND DISQUALIFICATION ..................21
E. EVALUATION CRITERIA..........................................................................................21
ATTACHMENT 1: Site Maps and Renderings ....................................................................22
ATTACHMENT 2: City-Owned Equipment Inventory .........................................................30
ATTACHMENT 3: Contract Certification Form...................................................................31
ATTACHMENT 4: Sample Contract ....................................................................................32
ATTACHMENT 5: Select RFI Questions and Answers ......................................................33
ATTACHMENT 6: Skyline Park Block 2 Maintenance Responsibilities ...........................34
ATTACHMENT 7: Proposer's Checklist .............................................................................35
RFP 2026: Skyline Park Concession Services
Page 3 of 35

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER
Skyline Park Concession Services
Notice of Availability of Requests for Proposals
IT SHALL BE CONCLUSIVELY PRESUMED THAT THE PROPOSER DID, BEFORE SUBMITTING A
PROPOSAL, CLOSELY REVIEW THE RFP, ALL EXHIBITS AND ATTACHMENTS, AND OTHER
ITEMS RELEVANT TO THE RFP.
RESPONSES DUE:
Proposals must be submitted electronically through BidNet(R); see Section 3 for details.
Responses must be received no later than:
12:00 PM MT, October 19, 2026
SUMMARY OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The City and County of Denver ("City") and the Department of
Parks and Recreation ("DPR") are requesting proposals from companies with the interest,
capability, financial backing, and vision alignment to operate beverage focused concession
services at Skyline Park's Block 2 kiosk facility located on Arapahoe Street between 16th and
17th Streets, Denver, CO 80202 ("Concession Site"). This opportunity seeks proposals from
vendors focused on providing concession experiences that celebrate Denver's diverse history,
cultures, traditions, and values and that are designed to integrate into and complement the park.
We want to hear from Denver's most creative, community-minded food and beverage
visionaries who are ready to help us make our parks even more special.
A separate RFP for beverage focused concession services at the Sloan's Lake Park
Boathouse facility located on the north side of Sloan's Lake marina near 4700 W Byron Place,
Denver CO 80212 ("Concession Site") will be published soon under Solicitation 202685514.
Interested parties are invited to submit proposals for one or both of the Concession Sites.
Separate proposals must be submitted for each site.
PRE-PROPOSAL MEETING: Proposers should attend the pre-proposal meeting which shall
take place virtually/online on Tuesday September 22, 2026 at 9:00 AM MT via Microsoft
Teams https://tinyurl.com/3b9bzj43 . Proposers may also attend by calling 720-388-6219, ID
250 347 152#. The pre-proposal meeting is not mandatory, but proposers will be held
responsible for all information presented at the meeting.
SITE TOUR: Proposers who are interested in viewing the Concession Site are encouraged to
attend the optional site tour which shall take place in-person on Wednesday September 23,
2026 at 9:00 AM MT. **RSVPs for attendance must be submitted to
dpr.proposals@denvergov.org no later than the pre-proposal meeting on Tuesday
September 22, 2026 at 9:00 AM MT.**
Attendees will meet at Skyline Park Block 1 at the NW corner of 15th Street and Arapahoe
Street near the Street Soccer field (approximately 39.74708831814481, -
104.99686545245147 Denver, CO 80202). Construction will be underway at the Block 2 site, so
the tour will be limited to a perimeter walk of the park. Attendees are encouraged to wear
RFP 2026: Skyline Park Concession Services
Page 4 of 35

closed-toed shoes and durable attire including long pants for protection against any construction
debris. ATTENDANCE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
No additional tours of the Concession Site will be made available prior to RFP closure.
DESIGNATED CONTACT: Jennifer Simmons, Department of Parks and Recreation Contract
Administrator, is the Designated Contact for this Request for Proposals. All inquiries and
questions regarding the RFP should be submitted in writing to dpr.proposals@denvergov.org.
REVIEW PROCESS: The Executive Director of Parks and Recreation issued this solicitation
pursuant to the authority vested in the Executive Director by the Charter of the City and County
of Denver. The Executive Director of Parks and Recreation reserves the right to terminate,
suspend, modify the selection process; reject any or all submittals; modify the terms and
conditions of this selection process; and/or waive any informalities, irregularities, or omissions in
any submittals, as the City's best interests may appear.
Jolon Clark, Executive Director of Parks and Recreation
RFP 2026: Skyline Park Concession Services
Page 5 of 35

SECTION 1 - Invitation to Submit a Proposal
By issuance of this Request for Proposals ("RFP"), the City and County of Denver (the "City"),
acting through the Executive Director of Parks and Recreation (the "Executive Director"), invites
all qualified proposers to submit a proposal for Skyline Park concession services.
Proposers are expected to familiarize themselves with the details in connection with the
proposed operations. Any person, firm, entity, joint venture, or corporation desiring to submit a
proposal shall examine this RFP and shall judge for themselves their qualifications and all the
circumstances and conditions affecting their proposal. Failure on the part of any proposer to
make such thorough examination or to thoroughly investigate the conditions of the proposal
shall not be grounds for a declaration that the successful proposer did not understand the RFP.
Proposals shall be disqualified if the proposer is in default or past due under any previous or
existing agreement with the City, if any unresolved monetary claims by the City exist against the
proposer, or if the proposer is unable to show evidence of their financial capabilities to execute
the work of this contract.
Should a proposer find a discrepancy or omission in this RFP, or should a proposer be in doubt
as to the meaning of any provision of this RFP, the proposer should promptly notify the
Designated Contact in writing, and any necessary clarifications or addenda will be provided in
writing. THE CITY WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ORAL INSTRUCTIONS OR
INTERPRETATIONS GIVEN BY OR TO ANYONE.
The instructions contained within are not intended to completely define the proposed contractual
relationship between the City and County of Denver and the successful proposer. The awarded
contract will be similar in form to the attached Attachment 4 Sample Contract, but the City
reserves the right to make changes and additions prior to the final award at the sole discretion
of the Executive Director.
In making a final selection recommendation, the competitive selection process provided under
this RFP will focus consideration on the qualifications and prior history of similar performance of
each submitting proposer, in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in Section 5.
Written responses to this RFP will enable the City to select the most qualified candidate. The
Executive Director will appoint a selection committee to evaluate the proposals. The selection
committee will recommend a finalist or finalists to the Executive Director who will decide on the
successful proposer and will approve the contract before submittal to the Denver City Council
and Mayor for ordinance or resolution approval, if applicable, and Mayoral signature of the
contract. NO RIGHTS TO PROVIDE SERVICES SHALL ARISE UNLESS AND UNTIL THE
CONTRACT IS APPROVED BY ORDINANCE (IF APPLICABLE) AND SIGNED BY THE
MAYOR.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
RFP Issued & Advertised September 11, 2026
Pre-Proposal Meeting 9:00 AM MT September 22, 2026
Site Tour 9:00 AM MT September 23, 2026
Deadline to Submit Questions 12:00 PM MT September 30, 2026
Questions & Answers Uploaded to BidNet October 6, 2026
Proposals Due 12:00 PM MT October 19, 2026
Finalist Interviews November 2026
Contract Execution Spring 2027
Anticipated Operations Commencement Summer 2027
RFP 2026: Skyline Park Concession Services
Page 6 of 35

SECTION 2 - Scope of Work
A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The City and County of Denver ("City") and the Department of Parks and Recreation ("DPR")
are requesting proposals from companies with the interest, capability, financial backing, and
vision alignment to operate beverage-focused concession services at Skyline Park's Block 2
kiosk pavilion facility located on Arapahoe Street between 16th and 17th Streets, Denver, CO
80202 ("Concession Site"). This opportunity seeks proposals from vendors focused on providing
concession experiences that celebrate Denver's diverse history, cultures, traditions, and values
and that are designed to integrate into and complement the park. We want to hear from
Denver's most creative, community-minded food and beverage visionaries who are ready to
help us make our parks even more special.
The City anticipates awarding one (1) contract ("Concession License") with a five (5) year term.
DPR may request interviews with finalists following initial proposal evaluation to determine
award.
B. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Denver's park system is more than an amenity; it's the soul of our City, providing residents and
visitors with some of their most enjoyable experiences and lasting memories. From our dynamic
urban parks to our vast network of trails to the expansive mountain parks, DPR's 20,000+ acres
of parkland represent one of the most diverse and celebrated park systems in the country.
Denver Urban Parks is currently envisioning what the long-term future of park-integrated food
and beverage experiences across the City could look like, with Skyline Park and Sloan's Lake
Park, two of our most iconic and frequently visited public spaces, slated to be the first two
opportunities to launch this new chapter that will enhance how Denverites get to experience
their parks. This vision is rooted in DPR's strategic plans, including our comprehensive
plan, Game Plan for a Healthy City, and our downtown plan, The Outdoor Downtown. These
plans encourage a spectrum of concession opportunities in parks that can contribute to the
vibrancy of our urban spaces. Community engagement for The Outdoor Downtown identified
"diversifying food and beverage options" as one of the top 10 requested programs by the public
for Denver's downtown parks. We're envisioning destinations that people can't find anywhere
else but in a Denver park, places that are enhanced by the natural beauty and community
activation that will surround them and that speak to the unique characteristics that make Denver
the incredible City we all know and love.
DPR is seeking purveyors who understand that vital park concessions offer more than
convenience; they provide connection and community activation.
We're seeking partners who are:
Visionaries with roots: Whether you're an established Denver concessionaire or an
emerging entrepreneur with a bold idea, you understand this City and you're ready to
create something that captures its essence and diverse cultures;
Community builders: You see your establishment as a gathering place that
strengthens neighborhood bonds, welcomes everyone, and supports vibrancy in our
parks;
Experience creators: You know that people will remember not just what they ate or
drank, but how they felt and what they experienced. You're interested in providing
RFP 2026: Skyline Park Concession Services
Page 7 of 35

creative programming, events, and partnerships that draw people to your destination
throughout park operational hours;
Sustainability-minded: You recognize that operating in these treasured, highly visible
public spaces comes with environmental stewardship responsibility.
Located off of 16th Street, which saw more than 3 million visits in 2025 and fully reopened in the
fall of 2025 following a $175M renovation, Skyline Park is a linear 3-block public space spanning
Arapahoe Street between 15th and 18th Streets at the heart of Denver's downtown in the
Central Business District. The Reimagine Skyline Park Project is currently underway,
reimagining all three blocks of the park into an inviting and inclusive space that will be an
authentic and contemporary expression of Denver's urban outdoor lifestyle. The Park is
projected to reach more than 430,000 annual visits resulting from project improvements. In
previous years, visitation to Skyline Park increased tenfold when the park was activated, such
as with a seasonal ice-skating rink. Plans for future activations seek to increase visitation even
further. Visit denvergov.org/theoutdoordowntown for more information about the project,
community engagement activities, and a link to sign up for project updates.
The first phase of construction has broken ground on Block 2 between 16th and 17th streets
and is anticipated to complete in summer 2027. The middle of the overall 3-block Skyline Park,
Block 2 is designed to energize downtown with state-of-the-art amenities that will improve
experiences for residents, tourists, workers, students, and regional visitors, while also infusing
life into downtown Denver. The Block 2 design includes a winter ice-skating rink that converts to
an interactive water play area and flexible summer event plaza. The block will also house a
small outdoor performance stage featuring a shade canopy, a basic public address and speaker
system, and a screen designed to support a variety of live programming. The stage will be
activated by a rotating roster of partners and permit holders, offering flexible opportunities for
music, performance, and community events. Additionally, Block 2 will also feature a year-round
food and beverage pavilion, more shady trees and green infrastructure, and an enhanced bike
lane connecting to key downtown destinations. The existing Halprin sculpture will remain,
reimagined as a vibrant educational garden using best practices for urban ecology.
The year-round food and beverage kiosk will be housed in an approximately 1,229 square foot
pavilion building, featuring an open design that includes ample patio space and an open-air bar
with approximately 200 seats. The design, led by the LA-based collective RIOS, draws
inspiration from Denver's rich architectural history with fluted masonry panels and wood accents
framing the area. The establishment is intended to be a beverage-focused concession that
offers both alcoholic and family-friendly beverage options, complemented by a selection of pre-
packaged foods and diverse food truck offerings. The thoughtful layout of the space will allow
guests to enjoy panoramic views of the garden, water plaza, and stage from various vantage
points, and will easily facilitate a diverse range of related programming sited in the surrounding
areas of the park. The pavilion will also include new public restrooms that are being constructed
adjacent to the concession space.
Tentative Construction Timeline
General Contractor mobilization Ongoing
Construction duration Present - Summer 2027
Fixtures & Equipment set up and Approximately July 2027
Concessionaire access Subject to change based on project needs.
RFP 2026: Skyline Park Concession Services
Page 8 of 35

DPR will provide periodic updates to the awarded Concessionaire as the construction project
progresses, with regular communication provided as Substantial Completion of the facility
approaches. Specific notice provisions and communication protocols will be defined in the
Concession License. See Section 2.C. below for additional details.
C. SCOPE OF WORK
Concession Services
The primary objective of the Concessionaire must always be to service the wants and needs
of the general public. The City seeks a Skyline Park Concessionaire with a mission aligned with
DPR's objectives to provide a welcoming recreational and cultural hub that contributes to a
thriving, vibrant downtown.
The City will consider contracting with a single vendor to provide all services or with a primary
vendor who has subcontractor partners to fulfill partial services. The Concessionaire will be
responsible for ensuring that their agreements with any subcontractors comply with City
requirements.
Food and Beverage Services: The Concessionaire will provide food and beverage
services that reflect Denver's unique characteristics and augment the amenities in the
surrounding Skyline Park. The concession will be beverage focused with light pre-
prepared and pre-packaged food items also made available as the size of back of house
infrastructure and storage allow. Pre-packaged food products must be labeled as to
ingredients, dated for expiration of product, and stored under proper conditions. All food
service must meet requirements of the appropriate governing authority's regulations.
DPR review and approval of menus and associated pricing will be required.
Food Trucks
The site will have hookups to accommodate two (2) food trucks. The Concessionaire will
have the ability to operate one or both food truck spaces to supplement food offerings, to
subcontract with food truck partners, and/or to manage the schedule of food truck
operations subject to City approval.
DPR review and approval of food truck schedules will be required.
Liquor License
The Concessionaire may apply for a liquor license to serve beer, wine, and spirits.
The Concessionaire may also apply for a Takeout and Delivery Permit to engage in
sales of alcohol beverages through takeout. In doing so, the Concessionaire must affirm
that they will derive no more than fifty percent (50%) of gross annual revenues from
takeout alcohol sales.
The City is unable to provide monetary or administrative assistance with liquor license
acquisition. See additional information about Licensed Premises considerations below.
Retail Sales
The Concessionaire may engage in sales of limited merchandise and related items at
the Concession Site as are appropriate for the needs and interests of the public with
DPR prior approval. The sale of the following is strictly prohibited: tobacco products; e-
cigarettes; adult materials; fireworks; marijuana paraphernalia and marijuana-themed
RFP 2026: Skyline Park Concession Services
Page 9 of 35

merchandise; and packaged liquor, wine, or beer that does not meet Takeout and
Delivery Permit requirements.
The City in its sole judgment and discretion reserves the right to disallow and require the
Concessionaire to remove any item for sale.
DPR review and approval of retail products and associated pricing will be required.
Public Programming and Downtown Activation: The ideal Concessionaire is excited
to play a lead role in programming the Concession Site on a regular basis, taking
advantage of the natural flow of park visitors throughout the week while also periodically
creating special activations that attract infrequent park users. The Concessionaire is
encouraged to offer a diverse range of cultural and community-based programming that
draws people to the concession and larger park, such as trivia nights, acoustic music
performances, sports viewing parties, board game competitions, or other proposed
events or programs approved by DPR that serve a public benefit and activate downtown.
There are no minimum requirements for number or rate of programming activities. See
Attachment 4 Sample Contract for additional details.
DPR review and approval of programming schedules will be required.
Coordination
DPR is committed to supporting the Concessionaire's success and will work in close
coordination with the Concessionaire and relevant external partners to maintain a robust
programming calendar. DPR and other non-profit and community partners may schedule
and promote programming in Skyline Park independently or in coordination with the
Concessionaire; however, the Concessionaire will be responsible for managing and
promoting their own event programming. DPR will connect the Concessionaire with
interested parties as programming opportunities arise, and the Concessionaire is
welcome to pursue additional collaborative programming opportunities subject to DPR
approval. The Department is hiring a Downtown Parks Strategic Initiatives &
Programming Manager that may also serve as a partner in programming and activation.
Proposed programming schedules will be reviewed by DPR leadership and DPR
Permitting to determine which events will require permits and will coordinate with the
Concessionaire to make permitting schedule information regularly available, to ensure all
City requirements are met, and to streamline approvals when possible.
Block 2 events permits for the stage and areas surrounding the Concession Site (the
"Premises") will be managed through DPR Permitting. The Concessionaire may apply for
permits to use the stage and surrounding areas as available and approved by DPR but
will not have exclusive rights to Block 2 permitting. DPR may elect to make the stage
area a publicly permittable space in the future depending on the Concessionaire's
programming schedule and public interest. As DPR assesses the success of
programming and activation in Block 2, the Department will communicate any planned
changes with as much notice as possible.
Operational Requirements
Space available to the Concessionaire will include the food and beverage kiosk pavilion
(approximately 1,229 square feet), the outdoor patio (approximately 1,990 square feet), and a
storage room (approximately 83 square feet) located in the adjacent building that also houses
two public restrooms (approximately 67 square feet each).
The City will have exclusive use of the office area located within the concession pavilion
(approximately 65 square feet).
RFP 2026: Skyline Park Concession Services
Page 10 of 35