Why does this campus feel so different? Auraria Higher Education Center is more than just a place of learning. It is a vibrant hub shared by three institutions. The Community College of Denver. Metropolitan State University of Denver. The University of Colorado Denver.
This unique 150-acre campus is located in the heart of downtown Denver. Auraria Higher Education Center supports these prominent institutions. It manages shared services and facilities. Imagine over 38000 students and 5000 faculty and staff bustling through this space.
Auraria’s history stretches back before Denver itself. Indigenous people used this area as a trading post. The South Platte River and Cherry Creek meet here. This created an oasis. In 1858 miners founded Auraria after discovering gold. By 1860 it merged with nearby Denver.
Auraria became known as West Denver. It was a diverse neighborhood. However a devastating flood in 1965 caused significant damage. This led to an urban-renewal project. The old neighborhood was demolished to make way for the Auraria Higher Education Center.
Today Auraria Higher Education Center preserves the neighborhood’s past. The Ninth Street Historic District features thirteen restored Victorian cottages. There is also a turn-of-the-century grocery store. These buildings date from 1872 to 1906. They now serve as campus offices.
The Tivoli Student Union stands out. It was originally a brewery founded in 1866. The Tivoli boasts a seven-story tower. It now houses a bookstore. There is also a food court and student lounges. Students can also find the Veteran and Military Student Services here.
The Auraria Library is a modern building designed by Helmut Jahn. It holds over one million volumes. Hundreds of thousands of additional titles are available electronically. It is the busiest academic library in Colorado.
The Auraria Science Building opened in 2010. Its lobby features Psyche. It is a striking butterfly sculpture by Donald Lipski.
Emmanuel Gallery is Denver’s oldest church building. It was built in 1876. It now serves as an art gallery for the three schools.
Auraria Higher Education Center bridges the past and present. It offers a unique educational environment. It is a place where history and innovation meet. It’s a place where students from different backgrounds come together. They learn and grow in the heart of Denver.