Mexican
Denver Community Overview
Denver’s Mexican community has deep roots in the city and state with a history older than the land and gold rush of 1858. Colorado Territory began as a property of Spain and later partly owned by Mexico. As new settlers and immigrants came from across the country, the local Mexican population took on the hard jobs of railroad work, farming, mining; factories and construction that helped build the city.
Today Denver has a vibrant Mexican community that has seen huge growth since the 1950s. As of the 2006 census Mexicans living in Denver, make up more than 20% of the total population, the fastest growing ethnic group in the city. Denver’s first Hispanic mayor, Federico Pena was elected in 1983.
Denver’s Mexican culture is found throughout the city but nowhere more concentrated than in the Northwest side of town. Start at 59th St. and Federal Blvd. and travel south to Hamden Blvd. and you will find an almost nonstop stream of Spanish speaking businesses, markets, stands and Mom-and-Pop restaurants. Come in late August through September and you’ll find the chili roasters along this same stretch of road offering freshly roasted green chili, chili ristras and savory pinon nuts.
The sister city relationship between Denver and Cuernavaca, Mexico dates back to 1983. Since then, residents of both cities have benefited from the cultural, educational and personal exchanges that the relationship has promoted. High school students from both cities have traveled to the other in educational exchanges.
Sources:
Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau
Renee Fajardo
Ed Winograd
http://denver.areaconnect.com/statistics.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado
http://www.denversistercities.org/cuernavaca.php
Community Resources
Consulate General of Mexico
Eduardo Arnal
Consul General of Mexico
5350 Leetsdale Dr. Ste. 100
Denver, CO 80246
303-331-1110
www.portal.sre.gob.mx/denver
Mexican Cultural Center
Marcela De La Mar
Executive Director
5350 Leetsdale Drive, Suite G-30
Denver, CO 80246
303-331-0172
The Chicano Humanities and Art Council
The Chicano Humanities and Art Council is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Chicano/Latino culture in the State of Colorado. Check their websites to get exact time that the gallery is open to the public.
http://www.chacweb.org/
Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a membership driven organization of Hispanic businesses, professional associations, and corporations working together to provide partnership opportunities through programs and services designed to help our members to meet their goals.
http://www.dhcc.com/
Denver Sister Cities
Cuernavaca, Mexico, Sister City
Chair: Peter Urdiales
303.815.2606
mised50@comcast.net
Vice-Chair: Richard Morris
303.623.2444
Servicios De La Raza Inc.
The mission of Servicios de la Raza is to provide and advocate comprehensive, culturally relevant human services. They primarily serve, but are not limited to the Spanish speaking population.
http://www.lared-latina.com/Servs.htm
The Metropolitan State College of Denver
The Department of Chicana/o studies at Metro offers classes studying Chicana/o history and culture of the Chicana/o community.
http://www.mscd.edu/~chs/
El Centro Su Teatro
El Centro Su Teatro is a multidisciplinary Chicano/Latino cultural arts center that produces theater, music, and visual art that speaks to the experience of an under-served community.
http://www.suteatro.org/
Churches
Browse Mexican ChurchesRestaurants
Browse Mexican RestaurantsShopping
Avanza Grocery Store
1320 S. Federal Blvd.
Avanza offers authentic Mexican brand products such as piñatas, bolillos (crusty white rolls), chicharrones (fried pork skin), and cactus pears.
Azteca Ranch Market
11505 E. Colfax Ave
Aurora, CO 80010
303-364-2355
Curiosidades De Mexico
A two story store jam packed with serapes, pottery, hand-carved furniture, CDs, clothing, jewelry and home décor items. All merchandise is imported from Mexico by a family from Jalisco.
5300 W. 44th Avenue
303-431-5153
El Mercadito Mexican Food
This small market serves Denver’s Mexican immigrant community.
3125 Federal Blvd.
Denver, Co 80211
303-561-0714
La Tiendita (housed in the CHAC Gallery)
La Tiendita has a great selection of local art and cultural gifts, including Frida Kahlo t-shirts, copal, Mana pottery, prints, silver and stone jewelry and one-of-a-kind greeting cards.
772 Santa Fe Drive
303-571-0440
The Chili Guys
The Chili Guys is where locals go year round for ground red chili, chili ristras (chili wreaths), frozen Hatch green chili and hard-to-find ground green chili and pinion nuts.
5501 N. Federal Blvd.
303-455-4030
www.thechiliguys.com
Old Santa Fe Village
Old Santa Fe Village has a wide selection of Southwest décor items including Mexican terre-cotta pottery, chimeneas sun/moon faces, furniture and wall hangings.
2485 S. Santa Fe Drive
303-871-9434
Rancho Liborio
6040 E. 64th Ave.
Commerce City, CO 80022
(303) 339-1320
Rancho Liborio
10400 E. Colfax Ave.
Aurora, CO 80010
720-343-1210
For more locations visit http://www.liborio.com
Music
Lechugas
Old school rhythm and blues. Local Chicano bands.
3609 Tejon St.
Denver, CO
303-4551502
Mexican Folklorico
“Folklorico” is the traditional folk music and dance from Mexico.
303-274-7844
www.fiestacolorado.org
Fun, Sports, Culture and Education
Escuela de Guadalupe
Escuela de Guadalupe serves a diverse student-body from across the Denver-metropolitan area, and prides itself on making its quality educational program financially accessible to all families. Half of its students are native English speakers when they begin, and half are native Spanish speakers. All students emerge with full literacy in all subjects in both languages. If interested in learning more about their programs check out their website.
http://www.escuelaguadalupe.org
Escuela Tlatelolco
The overall goal of Escuela Tlatelolco is to create a bilingual community of learning where close, trusting relationships with adults, peers and families create a climate for personal growth and intellectual development. Escuela Tlateloco provides services at all age levels for students; from a dual language pre-k to high school program as well as working with a family to make sure that all members needs are met. If interested in learning more about their programs check out their website.
http://www.escuelatlatelolco.org/index.html
What is going on in Denver this month?
For more information about events in the Denver Metro area, please visit the Global Denver calendar.
View additional Denver events here.
Featured Sponsors
The 2010 Biennial of the Americas celebrates the culture, ideas and people of the Western Hemisphere. Throughout the entire month of July, Denver will offer visitors cross-cultural experiences through a wide array of art exhibits, live music and special cultural programming. Emerging talent and leaders in the arts, culture, sciences, politics, economics and technology will also convene roundtable discussions designed to create a shared vision for a more cohesive hemisphere. It will be one of the most exciting international events of 2010, and something you won't want to miss. For more information, visit www.biennialoftheamericas.org
