Latinos/Hispanics in Colorado: Films & Photos

The Center for Colorado & the West at Auraria Library (CC&W) has recently produced three short videos, linked below, on aspects of Colorado Latino/Hispanic history, including Denver's Displaced Aurarian community.

In addition, a 500-image photography collection offers unique insights into the varied historical experiences of Latinos/Hispanics throughout Colorado. This growing collection can be viewed at http://adr.coalliance.org/couda/fez/collection/couda:11.

Videos from CC&W include:

Salvaje y Libre (Wild and Free). This video illustrates one researcher’s experience of exploring information resources about the history and genealogy of Latinos in Colorado. Filmed on the Auraria Campus, the video features local actors and illustrates the value of a collection of 500 online images that document local Hispanic history for past, present, and future generations.

Westside Friends. This is a retelling, using music and still photographs, of the history of Denver's Auraria neighborhood, which was relocated through urban renewal in the 1970s for construction of the tri-institutional Auraria Higher Education Center. The video features a musical performance by award winning Chicano theatre musicians at El Centro Su Teatro in Denver, Colorado.

In Search of Displaced Aurarians. Displaced Aurarians refers to the former residents of Denver's Auraria neighborhood and their descendants. Because of a promise made when the community was evicted/relocated, Displaced Aurarians and their descendants are eligible for scholarships to attend the three institutions that now are located on the Auraria Campus. The video shows some scholarship recipients and provides contact information for the financial aid benefit.

These videos were produced by Daniel Salazar, internationally recognized Chicano videographer and CEO and founder of RAZALAS Studio, and Dana EchoHawk, King Fellow and Hispanics in Colorado project manager, with funding to the Center for Colorado & the West at Auraria Library from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the University of Colorado Office of the President Diversity and Inclusion Initiative.