A first-of-its-kind public restroom is open in downtown Denver, providing a convenient and safe facility for residents and visitors to use.

The restroom, located on Champa Street just off of the 16th Street Mall, is open for use daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. During operation hours, a full-time attendant is stationed to keep the unit clean.

“Providing residents and visitors access to a comfortable, clean restroom meets a basic and universal human need,” said Mayor Michael Hancock. “By making restroom facilities more accessible to all, we increase people’s ability to get out and enjoy our downtown area with confidence.”

The restroom is 18 feet long and installed in what used to be a parking lane. It has two restrooms (including an accessible restroom), touchless handwashing, a self-cleaning and disinfectant system, security cameras and a walkway for users to wait in line.

The city said it will soon be installing raised planters and tree canopies around the restroom.

In 2016, Denver began piloting mobile public restrooms, with the goal of identifying ideal sites for a fixed facility. One of the mobile restrooms is still open for use in Skyline Park at Arapahoe Street and the 16th Street Mall.

“The vision of using what we’ve learned from the mobile restroom pilot to create lasting infrastructure takes a step forward on our beloved 16th Street Mall,” said Councilwoman Robin Kniech. “I look forward to building upon this success to ensure our infrastructure matches the vibrancy and needs of our city.”

Denver purchased the first fixed restroom facility for $350,000 using federal coronavirus relief funding.

The city will operate the unit for the foreseeable future using Wastewater Enterprise funds from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.