Denver Urban Skate Troop builds rolling community

Inline and quad skaters (and others) unite around passion for being on wheels

By Cara Myers

On certain evenings in Denver, dozens of people gather with something simple in common: wheels. Primarily inline or quad skates, but sometimes even skateboards, bicycles, and unicycles – all are welcome. Before long, music starts playing, conversations begin and an eclectic pack of skaters rolls through the city together.

This is Denver Urban Skate Troop (DUST), a community that has grown far beyond a weekly skate meetup. Today, it's a place where friendships are formed, confidence is built and Denver's streets become a shared playground.

Founded in June 2018 by Rachel Norkin, DUST began with a simple observation. Denver had a strong urban skating scene, and at the same time, recreational skating was experiencing a resurgence. Norkin noticed people online talking about getting back on skates for fitness and fun, while cities across the country were hosting vibrant night skates. She wondered why Denver couldn't have one too.

“I reached out to a few people through a Facebook group and got an overwhelming response,” Norkin recalls.

Alongside co-organizers and a handful of enthusiastic skaters, Norkin launched DUST’s first Wednesday night skate. During its inaugural year, the group experimented with routes, created additional events and figured things out as they went. Nearly every Wednesday since then — aside from winter weather and the height of the pandemic — the group has continued to roll.

The community has grown dramatically over the past eight years. Before COVID-19, attracting 25 skaters felt like a major success. After the pandemic, attendance regularly drew 100 participants. Today, weekly skates often see between 40 and 60 people, with many members organizing additional meetups and specialized skating groups of their own.

That growth reflects DUST's mission: focusing on belonging first and skating second.

“It's more of a social gathering while we're skating,” Norkin says. “It's not just getting from Point A to Point B. I feel it’s a true community.”

Unlike many organized rides, DUST builds plenty of opportunities to stop, socialize and simply enjoy being together. Participants might pause at a basketball court, parking garage or skatepark to practice new skills, dance or chat before continuing their route. Weekly skates typically cover five to 10 miles over one to two hours, but the emphasis is never on speed alone.

For many participants, those moments of connection become the real reason they return.

Norkin says DUST has become especially meaningful for people who are new to Denver, navigating major life transitions or simply looking for a welcoming community. Over the years, she's watched countless friendships — and even businesses — grow from those weekly gatherings.

One story that stands out involves a longtime participant who later thanked Norkin with a heartfelt card explaining how DUST had helped her through one of the most difficult periods of her life.

“People come to DUST at a difficult time and are able to rebuild community or escape from challenges, at least one night a week,” Norkin says. “It's cool to see people go through different chapters of their lives as the group evolves.”

Another member discovered distance skating through DUST, eventually creating an offshoot group called DIST – focused on long-distance skating. He later became the owner of Beehive Skate Shop, illustrating how a weekly meetup can inspire entirely new passions and opportunities.

One reason DUST continues to attract newcomers is its intentional focus on inclusion. The group welcomes virtually every type of wheeled recreation, regardless of experience level. As organizers quickly learned, one weekly skate wasn't enough to meet everyone’s needs.

Today, Monday night skates focus on beginners using flatter, lower-stress trails, while Wednesday routes provide greater challenges for experienced skaters. DUST also uses a familiar Green, Blue and Black difficulty rating system – similar to Colorado's ski slopes – allowing participants to choose routes that match their comfort level before arriving. Route maps are often available online so skaters know exactly what to expect.

Safety remains a cornerstone of every event. Helmets are required, while many participants also wear wrist, knee and elbow pads. Experienced skaters routinely stay with anyone struggling or recovering from a fall, and several members carry first aid kits. The community's code of conduct emphasizes respect, inclusion, safety and creating a welcoming environment for everyone.

DUST's routes also offer participants a unique way to experience Denver. Popular routes wind through downtown, RiNo, Sloan's Lake and City Park, while occasional special outings tackle more adventurous destinations like the motorless mornings at Garden of the Gods. Whether skating city streets or scenic parkways, participants often discover places they might never have explored otherwise.

The group has even gained a bit of pop culture recognition. Edmond Harvey, known to many from Netflix's “Love Is Blind,” has been an active DUST member since the pandemic. According to Norkin, his energetic personality has earned him the unofficial title of the group's “hype man,” and many of his closest friendships — including most of the groomsmen featured on the show — were formed through DUST.

As skating continues its nationwide resurgence, Norkin believes the appeal is rooted in nostalgia and accessibility.

“It's something from your childhood that still brings you joy,” she says. “It's fun, it's fitness, and you can do it almost anywhere.”

More importantly, DUST gives people a reason to keep coming back. Participants often arrive thinking they're one kind of skater and discover entirely new disciplines — from dance skating and wizard skating to distance skating and skatepark riding.

For Norkin, seeing the community take on a life of its own has been the greatest reward.

“It was always intended to be open,” she says. “I hope it continues to be a resource for people and that there's always someone willing to take the torch.”