Honoring CU Denver’s Aurarian Past and Future With a Focus on Ninth Street
At CU Denver, we study, teach, and work at a place deeply rooted in history. From the Indigenous peoples who first settled here to the Aurarians who built a thriving neighborhood starting in the 1870s, we must honor those who came before us.
In addition to expanding the Displaced Aurarian Scholarship Program, we embarked on an important project with our Auraria Campus partners to preserve and renovate historic homes along Ninth Street—as well as define their usage—as one important way to honor and celebrate our history as we build our collective future.
For CU Denver, this critical work is being facilitated by Nolbert Chavez, an alum, our chief of external initiatives, and a CU Regent.
The Centennial House at 1050 Ninth St. was the first of the houses to begin renovations, which were completed in 2023. It is once again a vibrant location for community gathering and conversation.
In 2021, the Displaced Auraria Scholarship expanded to include all direct descendants of the displaced Aurarians—in perpetuity. In 2024, we sat down with three siblings who have all used the scholarship to achieve their educational goals at CU Denver. They spoke of their family’s connections to Ninth Street, academic journey, and hopes for the future.