Explore the history of the Moffat Loving Cup at Denver Union Station. Learn how this 230-pound silver tribute honors David Moffat’s legacy in Colorado history.

David Moffat was once the wealthiest person in Colorado but died nearly broke because he poured every cent he had into a dream for his community. His legacy is a reminder that the infrastructure we take for granted often comes down to the sheer will of individuals who were willing to risk everything for a vision.
The story of THE CUP (the largest Loving Cup) as a lens into David Moffat's legacy, including his role in Denver's history, the gratitude of his community, and the specific symbols of his life etched into the silver.


The Moffat Loving Cup is a massive historical artifact made of 230 pounds of solid silver and marble. Standing nearly three and a half feet tall, it was presented to David Moffat in 1904 as a tribute to his contributions to the city. Today, it is displayed in a custom glass case at Denver Union Station, serving as a shimmering silver map of Moffat’s obsession with connecting Denver to the rest of the world through the railroad industry.
You can find the Moffat Loving Cup on display at Denver Union Station, located right across from the ticket office. Visitors in 2026 can view this breathtaking piece of art housed in a custom glass case amidst the rush of modern commuters. Its presence in the station is considered a posthumous victory lap for David Moffat, as he was famously frozen out of the building by rival railroad players during his lifetime.
David Moffat was a central figure in Denver’s silver legacy and the development of Colorado railroads. He dedicated his life to building the infrastructure necessary to connect Denver to the world, despite facing intense opposition from powerful industry players from the East. The Moffat Loving Cup represents his enduring impact on the region, symbolizing how his vision and persistence helped shape the city of Denver into what it is today.
The historical irony lies in the fact that when David Moffat was alive, the powerful figures who controlled Denver Union Station refused to let his trains pull into the building. They actively tried to freeze him out of the railroad industry he was helping to build. Seeing his 230-pound silver tribute cup permanently displayed in the station today represents a symbolic homecoming and a victory for his legacy over a century later.
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