“The Highland Hipsters Have No Idea What It Was Like Here”

A century ago, one in five Coloradans was of Italian descent. “It’s important to preserve what we have and recognize what was here,” says Jenna Peccia. “North Denver was predominantly Italian at one point. Italians were a huge part of the city’s development, but you don’t really know this unless you’re Italian.”

“I’m a third-generation of north Denver. From Italy, my family came right here to Denver,” says Dominic Ursetta, who’s joined Peccia in a push to create a historic district recognizing Denver’s Italian heritage. “I have so much pride for it. It’s everything I do and everything I represent in my life….Doing this is a recognition that even though it’s not as big as it was, we’re still here.”

The Little Italy district would preserve culturally-significant properties in the area, extending from West 38th Avenue to West 32nd Avenue between Zuni and Lipan streets in the Highland neighborhood, according to the proposal. The area is roughly centered around the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Catholic Church, which is already a protected Denver landmark.

In their comments on the Westword Facebook and Instagram posts regarding Hannah Metzgr’s story, readers are divided about the proposal. Says Pauletta:

Thank you for acknowledging this landmark area of Denver. Italian immigrants played a major role in building not only Denver, but Colorado. Hard-working people who did some of the most dangerous jobs — mining, building the railroads, industrial work — and were happy to do it, just to be in America. When they came here, they brought work ethic, fabulous food, rich traditions, and a family-forward lifestyle. A close-knit community that loved and supported each other. Little Italy is legendary and deserves to be a historic landmark. Still drive by my grandparents’ homes there. Great memories.

Responds Rachel:

Great idea but about twenty years too late.  Patsy’s, Pagliacci’s and The Subway closed; Navajo Street is cool but there is nothing Italian remaining. All the original families moved west to Wheat Ridge. Gaetano’s doesn’t count. I think Leprino Foods is the last holdout! This will be interesting to see happen, though.

Adds Dreda:

Can’t believe that has never been done. Wheat Ridge neighborhood on West 32nd Avenue was always the place to go for Italian food when I lived there in the ’80s. Too bad it wasn’t done before all the original restaurants closed.

Comments Dan:

Judging from what became of Columbus Park (now La Raza), you would think Italians could get the same respect before everything changes. I don’t think Italians have the same pull with Denver City Council to preserve what is left of the Italian “La Popolo.” My mother grew up on 37th and Jason; first generation. Mount Carmel was our church where we were hatched, matched and eventually dispatched.

Offers Scott:

So proud of our family’s north Denver Italian heritage. The Highland hipsters have no idea what it was like here.

Concludes Koshan:

A “little Italy” isn’t something that you create through gentrification. Do better, Westword.

What do you think of the plan to create a Little Italy historic district? What north Denver place do you miss most? Post a comment or share your thoughts at editorial@westword.com.