MDLDC in Action: Pint’s Pub Clean Up

In Denver’s Golden Triangle, most people notice the museums, murals, and busy corners. But the health of a district also depends on the smaller spaces that are easy to overlook—alleys, side yards, and service entrances that quietly affect how a block feels. Our recent Pint’s Pub clean up focused on one of those spaces.

Just off Pint’s Pub, an alley and sidewalk had become overgrown and cluttered. Weeds were pushing through cracks, leaves were piling up, litter was collecting in corners, and fresh graffiti had appeared on nearby surfaces. It wasn’t a disaster, but it was clearly heading in the wrong direction.

So the MDLDC team went out and took care of it. We donated the work—no contract, no billing—because this block sits in a creative district that has been shaped over decades by people who care about the neighborhood. For us, it was a simple decision: the conditions didn’t match the standard this area deserves.

What Our Team Did During the Pint’s Pub Clean Up

On the day of the Pint’s Pub clean up, our operations director, Gabe, met the crew on-site to walk through the area and set a clear plan. From there, our team focused on practical, visible improvements:

• Litter collection in the alley: The crew walked the full length of the alley and adjoining areas, picking up trash and debris so the space felt clean, not neglected.

• Weed removal along the sidewalk and curb: We pulled weeds from expansion joints, curb lines, and along the building edges to bring back a defined, cared-for look where people walk, park, and unload.

• Leaf removal: Built-up leaves were cleared from the alley, sidewalk, and around tree wells. This improves both appearance and function—less slipping, better drainage, and fewer “catch-all” corners for more debris.

• Light tree pruning: Low branches were pruned to open sightlines and make it more comfortable for people using the alley, whether they’re walking through, making deliveries, or taking out trash.

• Graffiti abatement: Fresh tags were treated and removed using appropriate methods for the surfaces on-site, helping prevent the “one tag turns into many” effect that can take over a block.

None of this is glamorous work. It’s routine, detailed maintenance—exactly the kind of work that keeps business districts feeling safe, welcoming, and well cared for.

Why This Pint’s Pub Clean Up Mattered to MDLDC

This block sits in the heart of the Golden Triangle, where arts, culture, and neighborhood history overlap. That context matters. When a district has put in the effort to build an identity, the spaces around its longtime businesses should reflect that commitment.

For us, this cleanup wasn’t about proving a point. It was about alignment:

• The Golden Triangle is known for culture and creativity.

• Pint’s Pub is a familiar neighborhood staple.

• The surrounding environment should feel like it belongs to the same story.

We saw a gap between what the district stands for and what this alley looked like, and we had the capacity to help close that gap. Donating a day of work for the Pint’s Pub clean up was a straightforward way to support a part of the city that has already poured a lot into itself.

The Difference You Can See

After the cleanup, the alley felt noticeably different:

• Walking through the space felt cleaner and more comfortable.

• The sidewalk edge read as intentional again instead of forgotten.

• The removed graffiti and litter reduced that “nobody’s watching this area” feeling that can creep into back-of-house spaces.

For the businesses and tenants who use this block every day, those changes are practical, not abstract. It’s easier to move through, easier to keep clean, and easier to feel good about sending customers, staff, and deliveries that way.

That’s the level MDLDC aims for in every corridor we touch: not perfection, but consistent, visible care.

How This Fits into MDLDC’s Work

MDLDC exists to support Denver’s business districts with on-the-ground maintenance and improvement services—things like litter collection, graffiti abatement, light landscaping, and seasonal cleanup. Most of the time, that work is done under formal agreements with districts and property owners.

Occasionally, like here, we step in and donate a project when:

• The issue is clearly affecting how a block or district feels

• The work fits our team’s capacity and skill set

• The location is part of a broader corridor or district story we care about

This Pint’s Pub clean up near the Golden Triangle shows the same approach we bring to Broadway and other areas: pay attention, respond to real conditions, and treat the less-visible spaces as part of the district’s overall health.

Property owner, Jack with MDLDC operations director, Gabe

Want to Talk About a Problem Area on Your Block?

If you’re looking at an alley, side street, or service area that’s pulling your block down, we’re happy to take a look.

MDLDC can:

• Walk the site with you

• Document what’s happening on the ground

• Recommend a mix of services—from one-time cleanups to ongoing maintenance—that match your needs and budget

To start the conversation, email info@mdldc.com.

We’ll keep doing our part: taking care of the everyday details that help Denver’s corridors—and the people who rely on them—feel supported.