3201 Curtis St

A nearly century-old firehouse in Curtis Park is being reimagined, not as a trendy restaurant, but as a social mission wrapped in a dinner service.

Cafe Momentum, a nonprofit restaurant concept that hires and mentors justice-involved youth, is opening its first Denver location inside the historic fire station in Five Points.

Originally built in 1928 to save lives, the building will soon serve a new purpose: changing them.

The 4,500-square-foot space will house a 12-month paid internship program for teens aged 15–19 who have been involved with the justice system.

Interns will rotate through all aspects of the restaurant, from culinary prep to management, while also receiving access to case management, education, mental health services, and workforce development on the second floor.

This is Café Momentum’s fourth U.S. location (after Dallas, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta).

Developed by Raptor Civil Engineering, this Denver branch aims to serve up to 100 youth annually, working closely with the Colorado Juvenile Justice System to identify candidates. Importantly, the program is entirely voluntary, no court orders, no parole requirements, just an open door and a second chance.

Leading the charge locally is Mike Waid, former mayor of Parker, who now serves as Executive Director.

As founder Chad Houser put it: “We can’t fix decades of disinvestment overnight. But we can build a place for our kids to land.”

From saving lives to reshaping them, Curtis Park’s old firehouse is about to spark a new kind of momentum.