The Evolution of denhac: Denver’s Pioneering Makerspace
Discover the journey of denhac, Denver’s original makerspace and one of the oldest in the US. Established in 2008, before “makerspace” was a household word, denhac has transformed from a grassroots hacker community into a thriving nonprofit hub for experimentation, creativity, and hands-on learning across technology, art, and science.
Run entirely by passionate volunteers, denhac’s story is one of vibrant DIY energy and collaborative innovation, continuing to inspire the Denver creative community.
Join the Denver Women in Engineering and the Denver IEEE section as we showcase Denver’s local makerspace, explore denhac’s remarkable evolution, and share how you can get involved. Whether you want to prototype your next big idea, learn new skills, or connect with fellow makers, there’s something for everyone at denhac!
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
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- 700 kalamath st
- denver, Colorado
- United States 80204
- Contact Event Hosts
- Co-sponsored by Kate Landow
- Starts 27 November 2025 07:00 AM UTC
- Ends 13 December 2025 07:00 AM UTC
- 6 in-person spaces left!
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Lucy Talley
History and evolution of denhac
denhac, founded in 2008, is one of the oldest running hackerspaces in the United States. Based in Denver, Colorado, it's a nonprofit, volunteer-driven community focused on technology, engineering, art, and science. denhac provides space and resources for teaching, experimenting, and collaborating, featuring everything from retro computers to modern fabrication equipment. The space connects with Colorado’s rich computing and data storage history, facilitating hands-on learning and preserving vintage tech for education and inspiration. Today, denhac regularly hosts open house events, classes, and projects, fostering creativity and DIY spirit for all skill levels in the local tech scene.
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The denhac Computer Musuem
The museum is dedicated to preserving and demonstrating interactive examples of home computer systems from the 1970s to the 2000s for education, inspiration, and entertainment. It maintains original components including CRT displays, peripherals, and chassis to provide authentic vintage computing experiences.
Highlights of the collection include:
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Home computers: TI-99/4A, Kaypro II, Osborne 1, Commodore 64, Commodore Plus/4, Amiga 1000, Apple IIGS, TRS-80 Model 100, and Sharp PC-7000
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Macintosh systems: SE/30, LC, Classic, and iMac G3
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Workstations and servers: SGI Indigo 2 Extreme, Sun Ultra 1, PowerMac G4
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PC compatibles: IBM XT 286, Compaq Portable III, and various DOS/Windows 3.1 machines
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Gaming: Vectrex console and vintage video game systems
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Terminals and peripherals: Wyse terminals, original software disks, and laserdiscs
Ongoing activities: The museum hosts open-door office hours, low-key sessions to explore vintage tech, share knowledge, and collaborate on growing the collection. Visitors and hobbyists are welcome to participate.
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Agenda
6:00 pm - Dinner
6:30 pm - Start presentation explaining the history and changes of denhac and preservation of technology
7:30 pm - tour denhac
8:00 pm - Questions and Answers