You Are Here : Home / Community/ Neighborhoods / Denver Stories / Short Films / Places & Spaces

Places & Spaces

Denver’s Only Indigenous School Closes Doors

As DPS schools closed for summer break, the American Indian Academy of Denver closed for good. In its three years, the school provided a refuge for Indigenous and Native students, who are statistically overlooked in public school systems.

New Tepeyac Clinic a Testament to Community

The inspiring story of how a volunteer church member with no healthcare experience inspired a congregation to transform a tiny house into a clinic and eventually into the new 24,500-square-foot community health center.

Inside Denver March Powwow

For 46 years, Denver March Powwow has signified the start of spring and powwow season for many Native communities. Organizers and participants share the history, tradition and importance of the powwow to the city and community.

Rosa Linda's Nourished the Northside Community for Decades

Rosa Linda Aguirre always dreamed of opening up her own restaurant with the mission of bringing the community together. In 1985, she opened Rosa Linda’s Mexican Cafe, which served as a staple in Denver’s Northside community for 30 years.

International Rescue Committee Helps Refugees Call Denver Home

The IRC chapter in Denver helps refugees from around the world rebuild their lives and integrate into our community.

The Denver Zoo: A 125-Year Legacy That Began With a Bear

It all started with a bear. Or at least that’s how staff of the Denver Zoo describe its origin story, which began 125 years ago. Learn more about the zoo's long history and see what it looked like back in the day.

Whittier: 'The Building Up of Denver'

Considered one of Denver’s earliest suburbs, Whittier has been around since the 1870s and has a long, rich history.
Photo courtesy of The Denver Post.

A Look Inside the Historic Schulz-Neef House in Whittier

From a former brewer to Colorado’s first African American female news anchor Reynelda Muse, many have called the Schulz-Neef house a home through the years. “It has a soul,” says current owner, Gary Kleiner, of this Denver historic landmark that is over 140 years old.

A Resident’s Mission to Celebrate Harvey Park’s Mid-Century Moderns

Harvey Park resident Atom Stevens has made it his life’s work to celebrate the neighborhood’s mid-century modern style houses. He spoke with I Am Denver about how moving to Harvey Park 16 years ago set him on a mission.

Network Coffee House Offers Safe Space for Unhoused Residents

Through word of mouth, people experiencing homelessness in Denver have been welcomed to the Network Coffee House in Capitol Hill since 1982. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, they started providing lunch, warm clothes and toiletries, too.

Historic Fire Station No. 3

Historic Fire Station No. 3 in Five Points opened in 1931 and it’s known for being the oldest and smallest active Denver fire station. For many years it was also the only station where Black firefighters could work.

Small Store Gives Back in a Big Way

Hope Tank, a small gift shop in the Baker neighborhood, combines owner Erika Righter's passions: gift shopping and giving back to the community. The store has donated thousands of dollars to local and national nonprofits since 2012. Righter talked to I Am Denver about what the COVID-19 pandemic has meant for business and why it's important to shop local all year long.

DPL Librarian: ‘We’re a Steward of Our Collective Memory'

Denver Public Library's Western History collection is working to diversify its holdings and has been collecting materials as history is unfolding, from Black Lives Matter protest signs to archiving photos of COVID-19 closures.

Colorado Wildflowers in Full Bloom

Botanist Jennifer Ackerfield, of the Denver Botanic Gardens, shared the science behind Colorado's treasured wildflower blooms and some tips on where to go enjoy them.

Whittier Cafe: Where Coffee and Social Justice Are Served

“The Social Justice Coffee Shop,” otherwise known as Whittier Cafe, is a gathering place for organizers, community activists, and others working toward positive change in Denver. A trip to the restroom is like attending a mini-protest, with signs from various marches — “Justice 4 George” and “A woman’s place is in the revolution” — stacked against the wall.

Bringing Native Students Together Is Goal of New Charter School

The American Indian Academy of Denver is a new charter school for 6th-8th graders, which opened in 2020. The I Am Denver team spoke to its founder about the school, what it means to identify as Native American and why getting the community to come together is so important.