Denver's Duplicate Image Replacement Efforts: A Global Comparison

Denver is currently handling over 10,000 duplicate images in its city archives, a number that is expected to grow as the city continues to develop and expand its digital preservation efforts.

The issue of duplicate image replacement is particularly relevant now as cities around the world are grappling with the challenges of urban development and digital preservation. With the rise of digital technology, cities are producing more images than ever before, and the need to manage and preserve these images is becoming increasingly important. Denver's approach to duplicate image replacement is being closely watched by other cities, including New York City and London, which are also struggling to manage their own digital archives.

In Denver, the city's archives are housed at the Denver Public Library, located at 10 W 14th Ave Pkwy, and are managed by the library's digital collections team. The team is working to develop a system for identifying and replacing duplicate images, using a combination of automated software and manual review. The city is also partnering with local organizations, such as the History Colorado Center, located at 1200 Broadway, to develop best practices for digital preservation and to share knowledge and expertise with other cities. Additionally, the city's Department of Parks and Recreation is working to develop a digital archive of images related to the city's parks and recreation facilities, including the popular Washington Park and City Park.

Comparing Approaches

According to data from the city's archives, Denver has already replaced over 5,000 duplicate images in the past year, at a cost of approximately $0.50 per image. This is significantly lower than the cost of replacement in other cities, such as San Francisco, which has reported costs of up to $2.00 per image. Denver's approach is also being informed by the experiences of other cities, including Chicago, which has developed a comprehensive system for managing its digital archives. As of January 2026, Denver's digital archives contain over 500,000 images, with a growth rate of 10% per year.

As Denver continues to develop its approach to duplicate image replacement, residents and visitors can expect to see improvements in the city's digital archives and preservation efforts. The city is planning to launch a new online platform for accessing its digital archives, which will include features such as automated searching and filtering, as well as tools for reporting and replacing duplicate images. The platform is expected to be launched by the end of 2026, and will be available at the city's website, denvergov.org. In the meantime, residents and visitors can visit the Denver Public Library or the History Colorado Center to learn more about the city's digital preservation efforts and to access the city's archives in person.