Front Range Slang
By Hollen Wheeler; graphic by Krysta Parr
Visit any city in the U.S. and listen to the local terminology and acronyms used to describe the location. The “L” is short for the elevated rapid transit train in Chicago; “the Hill” refers to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.; and “SoHo” is shortened from South of Houston Street in New York, to name a few of the nationally known colloquialisms.
The Front Range is no exception. Many acronyms and local designations pepper the areas around Denver from Fort Collins, “FoCo” in the north to “The Springs” referring to Colorado Springs in the south. Below is a guide to Denver’s vernacular. Do you know all of these?
SoBo – South Broadway
FoCo – Fort Collins
NoCo – Northern Colorado
RiNo – River North district, artsy neighborhood northeast of downtown Denver
LoDo – Lower downtown Denver, to include Coors Field and Union Station
The Highlands – A residential area northwest of downtown
Five Points – One of Denver’s oldest and culturally blended neighborhoods
northeast of downtown
LoHi – Lower Highlands neighborhood, south of The Highlands
DIA – Denver International Airport
DU – Denver University
WashPark – Washington Park, residential area north of DU
Cherry Creek – Affluent residential and commercial district southeast of Denver
The Springs – Colorado Springs
