Ethiopia
Denver Community Overview
The Ethiopian community in the Denver Metro area consists of approximately 25,000 people from three of the largest Ethiopian ethnic groups. The Tigrean community is the largest in size, then the Amhara and the Oromo community being the smallest, with approximately 2,000 people. Languages spoken include Tigrigna, Amharic and the Oromo language.
Ethiopian immigrants began arriving about 30 years ago, with an increase since 2000 due to the Diversity Lottery Visa.
A majority of the Ethiopian community resides in Aurora with a cluster of businesses on East Colfax Avenue. Churches play a strong role in keeping the community connected, with community members gathering every Sunday.
Axum, Ethiopia has been a Sister City of Denver since 1995.
Community Resources
African Community Center of Denver
1201 E. Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80218
303-399-4500
http://www.africancommunitycenter.net
http://www.ecdcinternational.org
African Community Center of Denver is a refugee resettlement program which conducts educational and social services programs that help newcomers resettle in the new communities and acculturate, recover from past trauma, gain personal independence and economic self-sufficiency. In addition, the African Community Center of Denver works with African community-based organizations to provide technical assistance in developing the leadership capacity to serve their respective communities. Their community outreach promotes awareness about refugee issues and the challenges faced by newcomers.
The African Community Center of Denver is a Program office of the Ethiopian Community Development Council Inc. (ECDC), a community based organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. ECDC is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization.
Ecumenical Refugee Services
1600 Downing St., Ste 400
Denver, CO 80218
303-860-0128
http://www.ersden.org
Ecumenical Refugee Services (ERS) helps to resettle refugees and asylees who came to Colorado through Church World Service and Episcopal Migration Ministries, by providing them assistance with educational needs, family and social services, medical attention, employment, and cultural orientation. The main goal of ERS is to help refugees become self-sufficient and independent as quickly as possible.
Lutheran Family Services of Colorado Refugee and Asylee Program
1600 Downing St., Ste 600
Denver, CO 80218
303-980-5400
This agency provides services, support and encouragement to newcomers as they adjust to life in the United States. In many cases, LFS works with a co-sponsoring congregation or community organization to provide basic services.
Denver Sister Cities
Axum, Ethiopia
Co-Chair: Flora DuPree
303.587.8588
flora@floradupree.com
Co-Chair: Pat Tucci
303.279.5504
ptucci@sprintmail.com
Consultant: Tsegaye Hailu
303.798.8315
Religious Institutions
Browse Ethiopian Religious InstitutionsFood and Restaurants
Browse Ethiopian RestaurantsSports, Culture and Education
Ethiopian Sport Federation in North American (ESFNA)
The Denver Ethiopian community's soccer team which competes nationally with ESFNA is Denver Tana.
http://esfna.net/esfna/
Oromo Sport Federation in North America (OSFNA)
The Denver Oromo community's soccer team which competes nationally with OSFNA is Burqituu.
http://osfna.org/Page1.html
What is going on in Denver this month?
During the month of March, Global Denver observes the National Day of Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Pakistan and Tunisia. Additionally, we commemorate the Irish-American Heritage Month. This month the City of Denver offers same great entertainment such as: 48th Annual Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 36th Annual Denver March PowWow, and Wines of South Africa presented by the International Wine Guild. Some great concerts include the Good Fortune Concert, Give Your Heart to Haiti Benefit Concert, and Marcus Tardelli Brazilian Guitar. The month of March also includes notable presentations such as: India- (Past, Present and Future), Doing Business with Japan- An Introduction, and Take Your Innovative Venture to France. There truly is something for everyone this month. For more information please visit our calendar.
View additional Denver events here.
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