DENVER – Oct. 22, 2026 – Denver International Airport (DEN) has opened several newly transformed areas in the Jeppesen Terminal as part of the Great Hall Program. A new “meet and greet” arrivals area for international arrivals and those who return to the Terminal from the A Bridge is now open along with a North Security Checkpoint. Iconic works in DEN’s public art collection that have been in storage for several years are also returning.
“DEN passengers have been exceedingly patient during the Great Hall renovations and we are excited to reveal these new areas as they are completed. Friends and family members will now have a beautiful new space outside of international arrivals to meet arriving loved ones ahead of this year’s busy holiday travel season,” DEN Chief Construction and Infrastructure Officer Jim Starling said. “Having these areas of the Great Hall available for visitors to use and enjoy represents an important milestone in the project as we look ahead to completion of the entire project by the end of next year.”
Passengers exiting the concourses via the A bridge on Level 6 can now take an elevator, escalator or stairs down to Level 5 for easy access to baggage claim, ground transportation and exiting the airport. This newly opened area outside of international arrivals features seating, public art and a new information booth.
“As we bring down the construction walls in the final phase of the Great Hall, travelers will see more than new gathering spaces – they’ll experience Colorado’s story coming back to life through the return of iconic artworks,” Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said. “These details make DEN more than an airport, they reflect who we are. This investment is about building a welcoming, easy-to-travel-through space and delivering the best possible experience for everyone who passes through Denver.”
The new North Security Checkpoint, which features eight lanes, is now open daily from 12:30 to 8:15 p.m., offering international passengers a quick and convenient path to a TSA security checkpoint if continuing their travel. Lane availability may be limited and passengers, especially those who need special assistance and those who have CLEAR or TSA PreCheck, should continue to use the East and West Security Checkpoint Level 6 as the primary checkpoint.
Four refreshed iconic artworks are also returning to the Great Hall, joining several other artworks that returned last summer.
Mile High and Rising by Marcus Akinlana is a mural that depicts the spirit of adventure, optimism and triumph that African Americans brought to Colorado and the Old West. DEN worked with Akinlana to fully restore the mural in its new location.
La Memoria de Nuestra Tierra by Judith Baca explores the concept that the land we live on records the stories of the people who have inhabited it. The mural, which was commissioned in partnership with The Chicano Humanities and Arts Council (CHAC) as part of the Denver’s Cultural Perspectives Project, explores the story of the migration during the 1910-1917 Mexican Revolution that brought the artist’s family, along with many others, through El Paso and up to Colorado for work on the railroads and in the mines.
Originally commissioned for the airport for its opening in 1995, Spirit of the People: A Native American Exhibition tells the story of Native Americans in the Colorado region through paintings, photographs and narratives. Historical tribal images, large-scale photographs and murals of contemporary American Indians tell these incredible stories, created by 13 members of historical tribes from the western region. This section of Spirit of the People: A Native American Exhibition features 23 photographs and six paintings by Native artists. While off view, each artwork underwent conservation treatment and cleaning in preparation for its reinstallation in a new display near International Arrivals. DEN collaborated with members of the Native community, the original selection council, and their family members to develop a new layout and identify the best way to present the collection in a contemporary format. A blessing ceremony for this work will be held in November.
Another original art commission, the Tribute to Elrey Jeppesen sculpture and exhibition, has also returned to the Great Hall in partnership with the Jeppesen Foundation. The iconic Elrey Jeppesen sculpture by artist George Lundeen pays tribute to local aviation pioneer Captain Elrey B. Jeppesen. Known as the “father of aerial navigation,” Captain Jeppesen’s legacy began when he was a young airmail pilot, creating hand-drawn maps and diagrams to guide him on his routes. Captain Jeppesen’s maps, which he kept in a little black book, would lay the foundation for the aeronautical charts used worldwide today. These diagrams can be found on the glass walls behind the refreshed exhibit along with artifacts that tell the story of Captain Jeppsen’s journey from pilot to chart-maker.
The opening of the North Checkpoint on Level 5 as well as the new “meet and greet” area is part of the overall Great Hall Program. The entire Great Hall Program will be substantially complete by the end of 2027 with segments opening along the way.
To learn more about the Great Hall Program or sign up for the project newsletter visit the project page. Images of North End can be found here.
Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $47.2 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.
