14 Essential Denver Slang Words You Need to Know

Residents of Denver, Colorado, often referred to as Denverites, don’t have a wealth of slang rooted in cowboy history or the Colorado Silver Boom. However, they do use unique terms that hold special meaning within the city and state. These include nicknames for landmarks, neighborhoods, and specific phrases related to the scent of cattle, high-altitude living, and a notorious sculpture tied to its creator's tragic end. Here are some key words and phrases to familiarize yourself with before your visit.

1. Dispensary

In November 2012, Colorado enacted Amendment 64 to its state constitution [PDF], legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults. Rather than referring to it as “the weed store” or “the pot shop,” establishments selling recreational and medical cannabis became widely known as dispensaries. Over a decade later, the term is universally recognized as referring to stores exclusively offering marijuana products.

Some argue for shortening the term to dispense, likely because effective slang tends to be more concise than the original word. As Mark Twain supposedly quipped, “It’s better to say ‘dispensary’ and let people assume you’re a stoner than to say ‘dispense’ and confirm their suspicions.” (Of course, Samuel Clemens never actually said this, nor did he utter the version of this quote you might believe he did.)

2. and 3. Western Slope and Front Range

Looking west from Denver, the Rocky Mountains stretch north to south, splitting Colorado into mountainous and flat regions. The Continental Divide runs through the Rockies, giving rise to slang terms for both sides. The western transition to Utah’s flatlands is called the “Western Slope,” while the eastern side, more commonly referenced in Denver, is known as the Front Range.

The Front Range spans from Wyoming to Pueblo, Colorado, and is home to approximately 84 percent of the state’s population, according to the 2020 Census. Major cities like Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs are part of the “Front Range Urban Corridor,” though locals often shorten it to simply “Front Range.”

In Denver, the term encompasses most major cities with mountain views, including Denver itself. Recognizing when Front Range applies is crucial, as it’s frequently used in local news and weather updates—so if a strong Greeley Smell is forecasted for the Front Range, Denver residents should keep their windows shut.

4. Greeley Smell

Greeley, Colorado, located north of Denver in Weld County, was named after newspaper editor Horace Greeley. Today, it’s more famous among Denver residents for the infamous Greeley Smell. When the scent of cows fills the air, it signals strong winds sweeping across the plains and rapidly approaching storms. For Denver, catching a hint of the Greeley Smell means the weather is on the verge of shifting.

Greeley’s beef production legacy began with Warren Monfort, who purchased 18 cattle in 1930 and established Monfort Feedlots [PDF]. Over time, the company grew significantly in Greeley, and by the 1970s, it had developed an efficient system for beef processing. The company’s success led to multiple acquisitions and expansions, eventually becoming part of JBS USA, now Weld County’s largest employer.

Greeley’s distinct odor stems from cow processing, largely due to the pools of waste generated by thousands of cattle near the city. The Greeley Smell is primarily the scent of cow manure. Despite efforts by the city to encourage JBS to implement “odor-reducing technology,” as reported by Coloradoan, and legislation banning feedlots near the city center, the smell remains a persistent issue.

5. Flatlander

Flatlander is a somewhat dismissive term used by high-altitude residents to describe those living at lower elevations. In Denver, the Mile-High City, it often refers to newcomers or visitors from Midwest and coastal areas.

Ironically, residents of the Rocky Mountains often use flatlanders to describe Coloradans living in non-mountainous cities like Denver. Even if someone frequently travels I-70 for mountain recreation, they might still be labeled as exhibiting Flatlander traits by those who reside at higher elevations. Whether it’s their car, clothing, or general attitude, living outside the mountains can earn them the Flatlander label.

6. The Mousetrap

The Mousetrap near Denver isn’t for catching pests—it’s a notorious traffic snarl. This complex interchange of I-25 (running north-south) and I-70 (running east-west) earned its nickname from a 1960s radio traffic reporter. With its twisting ramps for highway transitions, exits, and direction changes, the Mousetrap’s chaotic design stems from its construction in the early 1950s, predating the modern interstate system.

The Mousetrap’s most infamous moment came in 1984 when a military truck hauling six torpedoes flipped over on a ramp, halting both interstates and the Mousetrap for hours [PDF]. This incident prompted a complete redesign in 1987, eliminating left exits and sharp turns, with the project fully concluding in 2003. While it no longer resembles a tangled trap, it remains a significant traffic bottleneck, ensuring the Mousetrap name endures.

7., 8., and 9. LoDo, RiNo, and LoHi

Shortened neighborhood names are a staple in major cities, and Denver follows suit. When referencing Lower Downtown—home to Coors Field, where The Rockies play, or the site of The Real World house—locals call it LoDo. If you’re exploring art galleries or near the Convention Center, you’re in RiNo, the River North District. (RiNo’s community-driven initiative to establish it as an “arts district” is evident through vibrant orange signs, some shaped like rhinos, proclaiming “Art.”) And if you’re queuing at Little Man Ice Cream Company or crossing the Millennium Bridge westward, you’re in LoHi, or Lower Highland.

These neighborhood names are constantly evolving (SoBro for South Broadway has gained traction only recently), but LoDo, RiNo, and LoHi are so ingrained in local lingo that questioning their meaning might earn you a puzzled look.

10. Cash Register Building

One building dominates the Denver skyline, instantly recognizable as a symbol of the city. Officially known as The Wells Fargo Center, locals universally refer to it as the “Cash Register Building” due to its unique top design: two asymmetrical curves connected by a vertical wall, resembling an old-fashioned cash register. As Denver’s third-tallest building, it gained iconic status partly from its depiction in the Denver Nuggets’ uniform skyline from 1981 to 1993 and its appearance in the animated Denver skyline on South Park. Designed by architect Philip Johnson, the cash register shape was reportedly chosen because the building was intended for a bank, though some claim it was initially planned for construction in Texas.

11. The People’s Republic

This term doesn’t refer to an East Asian nation—at least not in Denver. Instead, it’s a nickname for Boulder, Colorado, known for its liberal, hippie culture. The city’s progressive ideology has earned it the title The People’s Republic of Boulder among Denver residents. While many Colorado cities have abbreviated nicknames (like the Springs for Colorado Springs or A-town for Aurora), The People’s Republic stands out for its length and the vibe it conveys. Interestingly, Boulder residents embrace the term—proof of their laid-back attitude.

12. Blucifer

Blucifer is the nickname Denver locals gave to the 32-foot-tall, striking blue fiberglass mustang statue with glowing red eyes that stands proudly outside Denver International Airport. Created by New Mexico artist Luis Jiménez, the sculpture tragically caused his death in 2006 when a section fell on him, severing an artery in his leg. Two years later, Mustang—finished by Jiménez’s team after his passing—was unveiled at DIA. The horse’s glowing red LED eyes honor Jiménez’s father, who ran a neon shop. Despite its eerie backstory and devilish appearance, Denverites affectionately call it Blucifer and adore the massive blue horse.

13. Colorado Kool-Aid

Colorado Kool-Aid is a nickname for Coors beer, popularized by country music singer Johnny Paycheck in his 1977 song “Colorado Kool-Aid,” which included the lyrics:

“What's Colorado Kool-Aid?Well, it's a can of Coors brewed from a mountain streamIt'll set your head on fire and make your kidneys screamOh, it sure is fine”

Coors is a quintessential Colorado beer, with the Coors Brewing Company founded in Golden, Colorado, during the 1870s. While smaller breweries have flourished in Denver in recent years, making local IPAs widely available, ordering a Colorado Kool-Aid at a bar might still get you a Coors if your bartender is a fan of 1970s country tunes.

14. “Chili”

Most Denver foods go by familiar names—like ordering a pizza without any special labels. However, there are subtle linguistic quirks (what’s known as a “Western Omelette” elsewhere is called a “Denver Omelette” on the Front Range) and intriguing food tales (the “Fools Gold Loaf,” a sandwich packed with peanut butter, jelly, and bacon, gained fame after Elvis Presley craved it). Yet, one term stands out in Denver: Chili. It’s not the bean-filled brown or red variety but a slow-roasted chile verde, typically made with Colorado-grown green chilies and often featuring pork.

This dish can be enjoyed as a soup or used as a topping for breakfast, burgers, and burritos. In a 2019 Colorado Public Radio poll, Green Chili surpassed staples like “microbrews” and Rocky Mountain Oysters (fried cow testicles) to claim the title of Colorado’s Most Iconic Food. If a menu offers something “with Chili,” it’s referring to Colorado Green Chili. For a homemade version, check out the recipe at DenverGreenChili.com.

Are you a logophile? Do you want to learn unusual words and old-timey slang to make conversation more interesting, or discover fascinating tidbits about the origins of everyday phrases? Then pick up our new book, The Curious Compendium of Wonderful Words: A Miscellany of Obscure Terms, Bizarre Phrases, & Surprising Etymologies, out June 6! You can pre-order your copy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or Bookshop.org.