The Auraria Library is proud to partner with the institutions of the Auraria Higher Education Campus to provide access and historical context to the displacement of the vibrant community that made up the town of Auraria during the early-to-mid 1900s.
In the late 1850s, the Colorado gold rush lured miners to the intersection of the Platte River and Cherry Creek. It was here the thriving community of Auraria was established and would, ultimately become one of Denver’s oldest and culturally-rich neighborhoods. In 1969, voters approved a bond referendum— despite contention and pushback from Aurarians— allowing the creation of the Auraria Higher Education Campus as part of the Denver Urban Renewal Program; however, an estimated 900 people, including 235 families and households were unfairly displaced in the process.
Through the Displaced Aurarian Scholarship and the ongoing efforts of our librarians to build collections representing the legacy of the people of Auraria, we hope to honor their stories and sacrifices.
Equity in Perpetuity: The Displaced Aurarian Scholarship
The Displaced Aurarian Scholarship program was designed to provide funds for tuition and fees for undergraduate and graduate students who were residents of the Auraria neighborhood between 1955 and 1973, before the Auraria Higher Education Campus was built. The scholarship was also available to the children and grandchildren of these residents. From 1988 through 2021, more than 600 people received Displaced Aurarian Scholarships.
Program Expansion
Beginning in the Spring 2022 semester, the program is expanding to include all direct descendants of the displaced Aurarians in perpetuity. A direct descendant is a person who was born or legally adopted into the direct line (great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, etcetera).
This program now covers tuition and fees for degree- or credential-seeking students, at either the undergraduate or graduate level, offered at the Auraria campus. Classes taught at other locations, including Anschutz Medical Campus, are not funded by the scholarship.
Students must demonstrate academic success/progression to continue to receive the scholarship. As of spring 2022, there is no limitation to the number of semester hours or semesters that students may receive support for.
The Auraria Library applauds this expansion by the institutions as this continued direction aligns with our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by honoring the history of Aurarians.
Applicant Eligibility
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Considered a Colorado Resident for financial aid purposes
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Direct descendant of resident (child, grandchild, great-grandchild, etc.)
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Must provide proof of lineage, like birth certificates, school and church records, tax documents, or newspaper articles
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Must provide documented proof that their ancestor lived within the Auraria neighborhood boundaries between 1955 and 1973
How to Apply
The University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the Community College of Denver all offer the Displaced Aurarian Scholarship.
Select your institution below to learn more and get assistance with your scholarship application:
