Letter to Colorado House of Representatives (Hugh Fowler) from Auraria Residents Organization, page 1

              DATED:  February 26, 1970
AURARIA RESIDENTS ORGANIZATION
1156 - 9th Street
Denver, Colorado 80204
HONORABLE REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE HOUSE
Re: Auraria Higher Educational Complex
Dear Sirs: \^4^ef^ ^f^^Aj^lA^
First of all, we want you to know that the Auraria Bond Amendment Election
in the City of Denver was very close.  Only 3,771 votes were the deciding
factor.  It was not unanimous, even though the election was open to property
owner or non-property owner.
Secondly, Denver voters did not get the true facts with regard to the total
cost of the project, the true housing situation in Denver, the number of
people to be displaced from the site, the college (MSC) continuing a true
open-door policy, and the traffic problem that will occur.
Furthermore, there was no community involvement on the part of the City
planners and the College administration with the residents living on the
site in the planning of this educational complex before it was brought
to the attention of the Denver voters.  Now that' the project has received
summary approval of a small percentage of Denver voters, we are being called
on to get involved.
In view of the failures of the Public Officials we want to inform you as to
the consequences of your actions if you pass this measure:
1. More than 900 people will be displaced by the project;
2. There are 235 families or households in the Auraria site;
3. There are 231 children living on the site;
4. The average gross income of these families is $350 per month;
5. The average number of bedrooms needed is 3;
6. More than 111 families would like to remain living on the site;
many have lived in the area more than 35 years; and
7. These 235 families will be left hanging on the fence for several
years because DURA intends to buy land at piece-meal rates.
Where will these families go? Before the Denver Bond Election, DURA said
there was an excess of 3,500 housing units. After the election we were
informed that the Denver Metro area will need 25,000 housing units. Now we
are told by DURA's relocation people that they will need five years to
accomplish this job of housing all of the people presently living on the
Auraria site.
Will this college complex be of benefit to our minority children? It was
brought to our attention in the heated Senate debate on this measure that
the policy of open-door enrollment at MSC is not to be a reality. Will
strict entrance requirements rule out our Hispano children? Just what
chance will our high school dropouts have to gain an education?