Stores Are Leaving This Denver Shopping Center… Because It Literally Stinks

A persistent sewer odor at Denver’s Lowry Town Center is raising concerns among business owners and city officials, with some tenants reportedly leaving the shopping center because of it. According to a report from KUSA, the retail center at 200 Quebec Street — once a centerpiece of the redevelopment in the Lowry neighborhood — now has a vacancy rate of around 31%, significantly higher than other properties managed by Kimco Realty in the Denver area.

Denver District 5 Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer said complaints about the smell date back to at least 2018 through the city’s 311 system. She confirmed that she has personally noticed the odor and has heard from multiple businesses that say it has become a serious issue. One example cited was the bakery Petit Gateaux, which reportedly chose to relocate after struggling with the smell.

The odor has also been referenced in legal disputes involving former tenants. Smashburger vacated its location at the shopping center despite having several years left on its lease, later claiming the persistent sewer smell made the restaurant space unsuitable for business. Court records show Kimco Realty filed a lawsuit after the restaurant left, while Smashburger countered that the landlord was aware of the odor problem before the lease was signed. The legal dispute was ultimately dismissed earlier this year after both sides agreed to drop their claims.

City agencies have investigated the issue, though the exact cause remains unclear. Inspectors from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment visited the site in late 2025 and suggested the odor could be tied to deeper infrastructure problems. The city’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure also conducted an inspection and detected a faint smell coming from grease interceptor systems behind several buildings, recommending regular maintenance of the private equipment. However, officials said that likely isn’t the sole source of the long-standing odor complaints.

Because the shopping center is privately owned, the city has limited authority to force a solution. Kimco Realty said it has invested significant time and resources investigating the problem, hiring professionals, performing inspections, and making repairs where possible. The company also says it is working with a new brokerage team to attract more tenants and improve the property.

Still, some local leaders worry the lingering odor and rising rents could continue pushing businesses away. Sawyer said she hopes the issue can eventually be resolved so Lowry Town Center can return to being the thriving neighborhood hub it once was.