Historic Community Committee

Land Acknowledgement

We honor and acknowledge that the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) is on the traditional territories and ancestral homelands of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Nations. This area was also the site of trade, hunting, gathering, and healing for many other Native Nations: The Lakota, Ute, Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Shoshone, and others.

We recognize the Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of the land, water, plants, and animals who called this place home. As these words of acknowledgment are spoken and heard, the ties that these nations have to their traditional homelands are renewed and reaffirmed. Let us also acknowledge the painful history of genocide and forced removal. We respect the many diverse Indigenous peoples still connected to this land on which we gather. We pay our respect to them and give thanks to all Tribal Nations and the ancestors of this place.

We also want to recognize the community and families of Auraria who lived, worked, and worshiped at Auraria. Auraria, one of the two original settlements in the mid-1800s that later formed greater Denver, Auraria nurtured immigrants, businesses, and families. Many of the oldest buildings of Auraria continue to exist and add beauty and significance to this land.

The decision to use this historically rich location in order to create a permanent home for Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Colorado Denver was a difficult one. Let us honor the sacrifice of Aurarians and acknowledge their contribution in order for public higher education to flourish in Denver.

Purpose

This Committee is empowered to create Planning and Use Guidelines for the Auraria Historic Corridor as well as guidance on art, statues, monuments, plaques, signage, messaging, and wayfinding related to the history of the Auraria Campus for review and approval by the Board of Directors. After the Planning and Use Guidelines are adopted by the Board of Directors, the Committee will meet quarterly and have oversight to determine compliance with the Planning and Use Guidelines, reporting its findings to the Board of Directors with recommended actions.

Appointment Process

A nine-member “Historic Community Committee” will be formed, consisting of one Auraria Historical Advocacy Council (AHAC)/Community Representative, four members as appointed by AHAC and whose families were displaced by the development of the Auraria campus, commonly known as Displaced Aurarians, one member from the Auraria Higher Education Center and one member from each Constituent Institution. Of the four members who are Displaced Aurarians, at least two shall be current students or alumni of one of the Constituent Institutions and shall be appointed by AHAC.

Meetings

The Committee will meet quarterly, or as needed, reporting its findings to the Board of Directors with recommended actions.

Contact Us

For general inquiries on matters related to this committee, please email the Historic Community Committee