Our mission is to create an engaging place that celebrates the Queer community, honors its contributions to our city, and serves as a vital resource for all Denver residents and businesses. Lavender Hill is defined by intersectionality, not intersections. The district’s heart is anchored in East Denver, the contemporary center of LGBTQIA+ activity, but its edges are blurred on purpose to feel inclusive of all of Denver’s Queer people and entities, no matter their race, class, or address.
Within this influence zone, we amplify Queer voices and stories, facilitate partnerships between businesses and residents, and further enrich Denver’s cultural landmarks and quality of life. Lavender Hill is proud to quite literally put our Queer community on the map. By creating this space, we ensure the ongoing empowerment, protection, and celebration of Queer people in Denver and Colorado.
To prioritize LGBTQIA2S+, racial, and socioeconomic inclusion, and to strive to be as intersectionally inclusive as possible at all times.
To showcase Denver’s Queer community and its contributions to the city’s culture, arts, diversity, history, and quality of life.
To create a safe, welcoming, and thriving cultural district, led by Queer people for Queer people and in harmony with the greater Denver and Colorado communities.
To preserve the places where Queer history has taken place for future generations and to share Queer stories in the public realm.
According to the National Cultural Districts Exchange Toolkit, cultural districts:
are unique to the character, community, and resources available locally.
have a significant economic impact on cities, attracting businesses, tourists, and local residents to a central part of the city.
revitalize neighborhoods and increase the quality of life for their residents.
serve as a vehicle to assist in the support and marketing of local nonprofit cultural organizations and businesses.
are geographic areas with a high concentration of cultural resources and activities.
serve as a focal point to brand a city’s unique cultural identity and embrace its historic significance.
sometimes have formal boundaries with specific zoning ordinances and economic tax incentives.
might have more informal boundaries that become a focal marketing point to cluster arts organizations and businesses
Our effort falls under two key types of cultural district:
1. Naturally Occurring Focus Districts
Usually are rooted in community based identities and cultures and are built on asset based strategies. They are holistic, highly diverse, and led by local, empowered leadership. Generally, they are neighborhood-based and artist-driven.
2. Arts & Entertainment Focus Districts
Include more popular culture and commercial attractions and include more modestly sized buildings with a bohemian feel. They include small theatres, movie houses, private galleries, restaurants, and other entertainment venues.
Why did we choose the name Lavender Hill?
‘Lavender’ is a nod to a color that is often associated with or used as a euphemism for the collective LGBTQIA2S+ community and ‘Hill’ is a nod to the neighborhoods on and around Capitol Hill, which it overlays.