Ballpark: lofts, bars and event-day crowds

A district of lofts and venues

The Ballpark neighborhood sits at the northeast edge of downtown Denver, near Coors Field and Larimer Street. It has converted warehouses with brick and timber, newer loft and apartment buildings, bars, restaurants and venues. Event nights bring crowds, patio use and outdoor smoking that can reach upper-floor windows.

Residents therefore deal with a mix of sources. Inside, residue from past smoking can sit in brick, concrete and tall ceilings. Outside, patios and sidewalks add smoke on busy evenings. Sorting them is easier with a log that notes whether there was an event.

Thinking about upper floors

Residents on upper floors of loft buildings near the ballpark often notice outdoor smoke first because it rises along the facade toward open windows. A balcony door left ajar on a warm evening may let in more than expected, and a loft's tall ceiling can hold that smoke in a layer overhead long after the crowd leaves.

If you notice a layer of smell near the ceiling the next morning, open windows on both sides of the loft to move air through, and compare how long it takes to clear. A smell that clears within hours points toward drift, while one that lingers for days suggests residue or soft goods holding odor.

Write down what you find in plain words. A reader who was not there should be able to tell from your notes what you smelled, where, and under what conditions.