Founded in 1867, the Denver Press Club (DPC) holds the distinction of being the oldest press club in the United States. 

It was established as a gathering place for journalists in Denver, offering a space where they could exchange ideas, engage in camaraderie and discuss their craft. Over time, it evolved into a central institution for professional development and networking, all while preserving the rich history of journalism in the Rocky Mountain region.

Early History

The club’s early members were political and professional rivals in print, but they found common ground within the club’s walls. 

Initially convening in the basement of Wolfe Londoner’s grocery store on Larimer Street, the club later moved to various locations, including the illustrious Brown Palace Hotel. Under the leadership of DPC President Edward Keating, it was reorganized in 1905, solidifying its status as one of the most esteemed journalism-based organizations in the nation.

Beyond its function as a social and professional hub, the club leveraged its influence to bring national figures and events to Denver. It played a significant role in securing the 1908 National Democratic Convention, serving as a press headquarters and entertainment organizer. Throughout its history, it has been visited by Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, Warren Harding and Woodrow Wilson.

Modern Legacy

In 1925, after years of meeting in hotels and rented spaces, the club commissioned architects Merrill H. and Burnham Hoyt to design its current home at 1330 Glenarm Place. Funded largely through the sale of Who’s Who in the Rockies, the building was completed for approximately $50,000. 

The location was designated as a Denver Historic Landmark in 1986, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017. Its facilities include a main-level dining and bar area, a second-floor meeting and banquet space and a basement, housing historic billiards and poker rooms. 

DPC hosts several annual events that celebrate journalism, raise funds for scholarships and honor outstanding members of the media. The Damon Runyon Award Banquet is a signature event honoring a journalist whose career exemplifies the spirit of the DPC alum. 

The Mark Twain Awards Dinner recognizes journalists who embody the humor and insight of Mark Twain, honoring those who have greatly impacted American media. The DPC Foundation Fundraiser is an annual event supporting educational initiatives and journalism scholarships, with auctions, entertainment and special presentations made by high-profile media figures. 

The Club’s Annual Dinner features a gathering of journalists, editors and media professionals while highlighting industry achievements, serves as a major networking and fundraising event and includes DPC Hall of Fame inductions. 

DPC Hall of Fame

The DPC Hall of Fame celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of journalism. Inductees include Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, cartoonists and broadcasters who have shaped local and national media both locally and nationally while upholding the principles of journalism – accuracy, fairness and responsibility.

Included in its list of journalism’s pioneers, DPC’s Hall of Fame is home to several Black journalists who have broken barriers, advocated for diversity in the media and paved the way for future generations of media professionals. 

Black DPC Hall of Fame Inductees

George Lane (2007): A former reporter for The Denver Post who covered a wide variety of stories, including “minority affairs.” He was among the newspaper’s staff recognized with a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news coverage of the Columbine incident in 2000. 

Gregory L. Moore (2018): A former editor of The Plain Dealer, The Boston Globe and The Denver Post, who covered crime, education, politics and government during his 40-year journalism career. When he was hired by The Denver Post, the newspaper became the largest in the country with a Black editor. A founding member of the Cleveland Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), he received the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

Reynelda Muse: As Colorado’s first Black female television news anchor, Muse made history at KOA-TV (now KCNC-TV) in 1969. She later became one of CNN’s first anchors in 1980. An Emmy Award-winning journalist, Muse’s contributions to broadcast journalism led to her Hall of Fame induction in 1996.

Rosalind “Bee” Harris: Co-founder of the Denver Urban Spectrum in 1987, Harris created a platform dedicated to stories about people of color in Colorado. Her impact on media and community representation earned her induction into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

Sam Adams (2019): A former sportswriter at The Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News who covered numerous high-profile sporting events, including four Super Bowls and two Olympics, and was voted “Print Journalist of the Year” in 2003. 

Sandra Dillard: The first Black woman reporter at The Denver Post, who founded the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in 1975 during the Black Congressional Caucus in Washington D.C. 

A Place of Belonging

DPC is a historic institution and a dynamic force in journalism. With over 100 years of legacy behind its brick walls, it sits at the heart of Colorado’s media landscape, fostering community, professionalism and industry advancement. 

With events, awards and a hall of fame recognizing outstanding journalists, its dedication to honoring media professionals ensures that all voices continue to be heard within the ever-changing industry. 

Editor’s note: To learn more about the Denver Press Club, visit www.denverpressclub.org.