West Denver, Colorado

West Denver (referred to as the Westside by Denver natives )) is a region/area in Denver County, Colorado, United States.

Geography

West Denver's borders are North Denver (Sloan's Lake) to the north, Northwest Denver to the northwest, Northeast and East Lakewood to the west, Southwest Denver (Westwood, Athmar Park) to the south, Washington Park West to the southeast, East Denver (Capitol Hill) to the east, and Downtown Denver to the northeast. )

Demographics

As of the 2007 Denver Piton Foundation, there were 50,993 people, 16,384 households, and 13,303 families within the West Denver communities/neighborhoods. There were a total of 18,303 housing units. The racial makeup of the community was 5.01% non-Hispanic White, 4.28% Black or African American, 1.12% Native American, 1.28% Asian, 52.32% from other races, and 6.51% from two or more races. 88.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.

The median income for a household in the community was $35,641. AbOUT 26.31% of the families and 25.03% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.43% of those under age 18. West Denver has a large Latino/Hispanic population which is mostly Mexican, but also has a number of Central Americans and South Americans.

History

From the 1920’s to the 1950’s, much of the West Denver area was a predominantly Jewish settlement. Jewish businesses, cultural facilities and residential niches spread from Auraria west along the avenue. However, just as north Denver did in the 1960's, west Denver began seeing a large wave of immigrants.) While most of these immigrants were Mexican, there was still a significant number of other Central Americans and South Americans moving into west Denver.) West Denver has been a predominantly Latino/Hispanic neighborhood since the early 1980's.) At present day, the west Denver region/area is predominantly Latino, with 88.3% of the population Hispanic or Latino of any race.)

Housing

Much of the housing in West Denver is single family style homes, or homes transformed into cheap rent apartments. There is a significant amount of apartment buildings for low rent across west denver. The other large housing style is the Sun Valley Public Housing projects located in the Sun Valley neighborhood in west denver. Sun Valley in west denver is dominated by 10 blocks of public housing, and 94% of sun valley's population lives in them.

Education

The public high school of choice for most all west denver residents is West High School. However, some of the West Colfax neighborhood residents have been sending their kids to North High School in North Denver.

The elementary schools located within west denver are Colfax Elementary, Cheltenham Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Cowell Elementary, Eagleton Elementary, Newlon Elementary, Barnum Elementary, Valverde Elementary, Greenlee K-8 School, and Fairmont K-8 School.

Middle Schools or Junior High Schools that kids in West Denver attend are Lake Middle School, Rishel Middle School, and sometimes Kepner Middle School.

Graffiti/murals

West Denver is home to many graffiti/murals.)

Neighborhoods (List of West Denver neighborhoods)

  • West Colfax
  • Sun Valley
  • Villa Park/Vicca Park
  • Barnum West
  • Barnum
  • Valverde
  • Lincoln Park
  • Baker

Parks

West Denver is home to many parks. Such as, Lakewood Gulch Park, Sanchez Park, Rude Park, Martinez Park, Frog Hollow Park, Barnum East Park, Weir Gulch Park, West-Bar-Val Wood Park, Valverde Park, Lincoln Park, and Dailey Park.)

See also

  • North Denver
  • North West Denver
  • South West Denver
  • North East Denver