The monument is located on the north end of Ninth St. Park.

Members of the current Auraria community as well as the Westside community that existed where the campus now stands joined together Friday, May 4, to witness the unveiling of the Displaced Aurarians monument on the north side of Ninth Street Park.

An estimated 100 people listened to Metro State Emeritus Vice President Yolanda Ortega, Denver City Auditor Dennis Gallagher, and cousins Gregorio Alcaro and Trini H. Gonzalez, descendents of Ramon and Carolina Gonzalez who lived at 1020 Ninth St., speak of their community.

The three institutions were represented by Metro State President Stephen Jordan, CCD President Christine Johnson and UCDHSC Associate Vice Chancellor Frank Sanchez.

A displaced Aurarian herself, Ortega told a wonderful story about her mother (go to http://www.mscd.edu/~collcom/artman/publish/palette_twv3120705.shtml to read the story). Gonzalez read her poem “Grandmother’s Apron” and her cousin Alcaro spoke of the Auraria Casa Mayan Heritage group that they have formed to preserve the history of Auraria and the legacy of the Casa Mayan restaurant at 1020 Ninth St. Gallagher reminisced about the different cultures represented in the Westside community.

Jordan said that Metro State has disbursed $413,000 in Displaced Aurarian Scholarships to 131 students, 82 percent of whom are Latino. Of those, 26 have earned degrees and the 27th is scheduled to graduate this summer. Of the 27 graduates, 26 are Latino.

At the end of the ceremony, Jordan and Johnson unveiled the monument to much applause.

(l to r) Among the guests were Associate to the President for Diversity Sallye McKee, Health Professions Chair Nancy Shanks and Health Professions Program Assistant Emily Maestas. Cousins Gregorio Alcaro and Trini H. Gonzalez’s grandparents lived at 1020 Ninth St, and ran the Casa Mayan Restaurant. Metro State President Stephen Jordan and CCD President Christine Johnson had the honor of unveiling the monument.