The Auraria Campus
CU Denver is part of the Auraria Higher Education Center, a 150-acre tri-institutional setting that also includes Metropolitan State University of Denver and Community College of Denver.
The university has buildings on both sides of Speer Boulevard. Students get the best of both worlds-classroom buildings and open green spaces on the Auraria Campus, which is west of Speer, and the vibrant metropolitan charm of historic LoDo (lower downtown) on the east.
Three beautiful buildings are central to our student community on the Auraria Campus: Student Commons, the Lola & Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center, and City Heights, our new first-year student housing building. Students get together at Student Commons to study and eat. It’s also home to Lynx Central, a help desk for prospective and current students that provides resources, referrals, and solutions. The Lola & Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center houses a state-of-the-art sports and recreation facility, a wellness suite that includes the Milo’s Market food pantry, a game room, and more, and a two-story climbing wall. City Heights houses our students in the center of campus life.
On the east side of Speer Boulevard, you will find our three buildings located in the heart of downtown Denver: Lawrence Street Center, CU Denver Building, and the Business School. The three buildings are within walking distance of many restaurants, cafes, and shops, as well as 16th Street.
For students who want a beautiful place to study, the Ninth Street Historic Park, located on the Auraria Campus, showcases one of the oldest restored residential blocks in Denver. CU Denver’s Emmanuel Art Gallery is also notable, as it is housed in Denver’s oldest surviving religious building. The Auraria Campus is a lively setting with unique structures around every corner.
Tivoli
Founded as a brewery in 1866, the Tivoli Student Union is a grand red brick building with a seven-story tower. It houses a bookstore, food court, brewery, conference rooms, student lounges, and student activities offices. It also includes CU Denver’s Veteran and Military Student Services, Counseling Center, Dean of Students office, and LynxConnect, a one-stop-shop for CU Denver students to find ways to enhance their student experience through research, internships, study abroad opportunities, and more. The Tivoli, as students call it, was named #9 of the 25 most amazing student unions by Best College Reviews.
Auraria Library
The Auraria Library, housed in a modern building designed by internationally recognized architect Helmut Jahn, was remodeled in 2017. It includes study and group meeting rooms, media spaces, and a coffee shop. The library also includes a Digital Media Studio for photo, video, and audio production, and an Innovation Garage with 3D printing, large-format printing, and creative technology software and support.
The Story of the Auraria Campus’ Name
Many students wonder where the name Auraria comes from. Some Denver locals even confuse Auraria with Aurora, a city located six miles east of Denver. Auraria was the original name for a gold mining settlement founded in 1858 and incorporated into Denver in 1860. The miners named their camp after Auraria, Georgia, another Gold Rush town.
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