Auraria Campus directors approve school system’s new ‘Campus Framework Plan’

Leaders of the Auraria Campus on Wednesday approved the school system's 10-year framework plan, which officials said was three years in the making.

In a statement, campus officials described the plan as “a set of big ideas to anchor future developments while allowing flexibility.”

Auraria Campus is home to University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University and the Community College of Denver. The campus serves roughly 40,000 students. In April, pro-Palestinian protesters erected an encampment that lasted for several weeks. The protesters ultimately abandoned the encampment, though officials expect them to be back. During the encampment, officials had described escalating health and safety conditions at the campus, noting the presence of feces, drug paraphernalia, graffiti and vandalism in the area.

The 10-year-framework plan includes new roadway systems, “gateway” access to downtown Denver and taller building developments, according to campus officials.

"We are deeply grateful for the valuable input from our communities that has allowed us to envision a future Auraria Campus we can all celebrate," Auraria Campus CEO Colleen Walker said in the statement.

At a cost of $700,000, Auraria Campus designated international design firm Sasaki to lead the campus’ framework plan to fruition.

“The process of developing the framework plan has brought people together to create a vibrant academic neighborhood and cultivate transformational change to serve the campus and the larger Denver community," Walker said.

Input from the community spanned over a three-year period, officials said.

The campus plan's elements include the following:

A “Learning Loop Roadway System,” a pedestrian-oriented approach to connect people around different spots on-campus“City integration” to connect the campus with the surrounding downtown Denver through “gateway moments”"Higher density development” to consider taller, vertical building developments in the future“Public realm spaces” to install weather-tolerant public spaces to connect more with the environment“Historical connection” to promote projects recognizing the historical tribal lands Auraria Campus sits on“Collaborative planning process” to establish transparent planning for future projects that involves students, faculty, staff and community members

“There has been a lot of collaboration to get everyone to this point from all communities involved,” said Devra Ashby, an Auraria Campus spokesperson