Dana Crawford Saved Buildings…and Made Many Memories

Dana Crawford, the legendary Denver developer, passed away on January 23. She was a public relations whiz and the mother of four when she had the vision to save the 1400 block of Larimer Street and create Larimer Square. From there her projects stretched to Union Station, the Central Platte Valley, Idaho Springs, Trinidad…and beyond.

She left behind not only many historic buildings preserved for the future, but endless memories. I asked readers to share their stories about Dana Crawford; here are just a few:

Life of the Party

Dana Crawford was a real gem and I love how your writing captured her fun side. I wish I had video of her roasting my dad at KUVO’s five-year anniversary party. It was in the days before everyone traveled with a camera in their pocket. She was a riot; the entire audience was rolling in laughter. She did an impeccable impression of him yelling at a waitress. Admirable, at the least. I hope someone dedicates a statue to her in Larimer Square. Her work there should never be forgotten.
Anna Diaz and all the ‘Pec family.

Community Activist

Thank you for that beautiful tribute to Dana. I used to call her the REAL “Unsinkable Molly Brown.” She was relentlessly Dana.

I am the chair of the GLBT Historical Society Museum and Archives in San Francisco in addition to my “day job” in commercial real estate. Dana and I were friends, and she called me in that irresistible Dana way a few years ago and said, “Hey, Ben, why don’t we take a road trip down to Trinidad in your new Tesla so I can show you my buildings down there?” She was fascinated by the Tesla and its speed. She thought at the time that perhaps highlighting Dr. Stanley Biber and his historic work on transgender patients and treating them with dignity would be something to spotlight in one of her historic Trinidad buildings. She knew that Susan Stryker, who wrote Transgender History, was a friend of mine and that perhaps her project could take wings spotlighting that legacy. Unfortunately, as sometimes happens in a small town, Trinidad did not want to spotlight that part of their history. And while that didn’t gain wings, it was an example of Dana’s incredible ability to think outside the box and create something for the community. Some called her a developer, but I called her a community activist in the best way possible.

She told me about the days of her going to Denver City Council and how all the old white boys who were on council would literally turn their backs on her when she got up to speak. What in men is valued as toughness, in women is derided as bitchiness. The typical double standard of the old white boys’ club. As a gay man, I could understand, as we both grew up in the commercial real estate business and had to deal with its old straight white male hierarchy. Somehow, we both carved out a niche in it. Granted, hers was a much larger niche, but we got each other because we both faced countless moments of discrimination and cruelty, and yet we both kept going. We were friends brought together because of the scars we wore.

Last year, I arranged to acquire the first LGBTQ museum building in the world, purchased by the City of San Francisco so that we could have a permanent home for an LGBTQ museum in the Castro district of San Francisco. During all the years I was negotiating, Dana was a wonderful co-conspirator and brainstorming partner. She generously gave her time and experience to improve the community, even if it was 1,000 miles away in San Francisco. That was Dana. Community builder. Community activist. Community champion.

Like Molly Brown, Helen Bonfils,and Dr. Justina Ford, she will be remembered in the history books as someone who made Denver a very special place because of her life. Denver is better because she lived.
Ben Gilliam, San Francisco

Linking People and Places

Ms. Crawford walked into my little Mac shop on Wynkoop Street one day and plopped onto the couch in my lobby. She had just been out walking on this warm summery afternoon and needed a break. I didn’t know who she was yet, but I quickly learned. She had come to talk to me about creating packages for the Oxford Hotel. As a newer business owner, I was excited for the opportunity to partner with another local business – and of all things, the beautiful historic Oxford Hotel. That was the beginning of our acquaintance.

She became an occasional client, calling us when she needed support with her personal tech or a project, and I started attending events where I could see her speak (one of them being an interview led by Patricia Calhoun at Comedy Works!). I went to a book launch for Dana Crawford: 50 Years Saving the Soul of a City“by Mike McPhee. I became obsessed with learning all about her and her achievements. I would see her around the neighborhood, and I was able to land a one-to-one-happy hour with her once at the Cooper Lounge to ask for business advice. What a treat!

One of my favorite phrases I remember her saying is “…it’s time to get sincere,” which I interpreted as, “It’s been nice, but I need to go home now.” I later wrote her a letter of admiration and thanks and delivered it with a special bottle of blue Prosecco from Italy.

The last time I saw her I was helping her set up her crowd-funding campaign for saving the Fox West Theatre in Trinidad. That was one of many successful projects she either spearheaded or had was involved with. Her passion for preserving historical places was incredibly inspiring. I remember hearing her say she would never get tired of working. I believe that, as she was in her eighties at that time ,with more than a few active projects.

My last image of her is her sitting at her desk surrounded by stacks of papers, patiently taking endless phone calls and calmly directing her staff. When I left, she said we should schedule a lunch date soon. I regret that we never had that lunch, but she remains one of the most influential and inspirational women I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Her legacy will live on in Denver’s history and all the people and places she has influenced.
Amy McKnight, Denverite since 2001

Making a City Special

What a powerhouse of a lady. She was a friend and a customer at our restaurant for over thirty years. Often I would ask her advice and input. She had a special insight and knowledge which she freely would share if asked. Her opinion on just about anything was wise and sensible. She was the catalyst for restoration and conservation of so many of our beautiful buildings still standing. She knew and understood what made a city special, and she fought to maintain it. Always graceful and elegant. So lucky to have known her. She will always be recognized as one of Denver’s great visionaries.
Tony Zarlenga, Cafe Brazil

Preserving the Past

Thanks for the memories and the piece on Dana. She was epic. My parents moved to Denver in ’64, I was five. I remember my mom taking me to Larimer Square in the late 60s. From there, I always dreamed about eating at Laffite’s. Then at least once it happened. I started planning on what to wear at Oktoberfest in August!

So many nights at Mccormick’s sucking down Coors on tap. I always tell people how cool Denver was. My gawd, it was a cool town – the best. Thanks for the memories.

And thanks for the Best of Denver and Westword. Back then, we relied on Westword for what to do. You’re a legend.
Paul Kulas, Eagle

Do you have memories of Dana Crawford you’d like to share? Send them to editorial@westword.com.