PRESS CONTACT:
Luke Perkins, Manager of Communications and Public Relations
303-866-3670 | luke.perkins@state.co.us 

Design and production of “Displaced but not Erased" was undertaken by a team of artists consisting of Silas “Jolt” Ulibarri, Ezra Herrera, and Coco Nuanes-Ulibarri. This team prioritized working collaboratively with the displaced Aurarian community to ensure the artwork honors the families who once lived in Auraria.

“Our team is very fortunate for the opportunity to create art with formidable meaning and purpose through this project,” said Silas “Jolt” Ulibarri. “The perseverance of the displaced Aurarians is absolutely commendable. The breaking bread, or rather kneading of the masa, with them has allowed us to understand our own history better. In this piece we are not only telling historical tales of resilience but also celebrating the inner child and understanding the younger, more vulnerable part of ourselves that deserves celebration.”

The process of creating the mural has also provided opportunities to raise awareness of the complicated history of the Campus.

“One of my favorite parts of painting the mural on Historic Ninth Street is getting to talk to passersby,” said Coco Nuanes-Ulibarri. “There have been so many people that have never heard the history of the Displaced Aurarians and I get to talk to them about it. The mural is bringing awareness to so many people.” 

To celebrate the completion of “Displaced but not Erased," the displaced Aurarian community will be holding a celebration in the Ninth Street Historic Park on October 27, from 12 – 2:00 p.m. The artists involved with the mural, as well as members of the displaced Aurarian community, will be on hand to share memories of the neighborhood and the process of making the mural. The mural work was funded in part by a grant from the Rose Community Foundation.

“It’s been incredible to learn more about my roots as a descendant of the displaced Aurarians through this process,” said Ezra Herrera. “I appreciate how much they’ve (the displaced Aurarians) worked and persevered to make sure our community is remembered and honored. From the beginning when we brainstormed with the community to come up with a concept, to painting the mural, it has been an honor!

The completion of “Displaced but not Erased," marks the second major community shareback from the Displaced Aurarians Neighborhood Memory Project alongside the “I Am Auraria,'' exhibition that opened August 23, 2023, at the Auraria Library. These two offerings represent the culmination of one of more than a dozen Museum of Memory projects History Colorado has completed statewide as part of the organization’s commitment to assisting communities in documenting and sharing their histories on their terms. 

“It has been an honor to work closely with the displaced Aurarian community to understand the vibrant and thriving neighborhood that once existed and the pain of its loss,” said Dawn DiPrince, president & CEO of History Colorado. “In their stories, you can smell the tamales and green chile, hear the children playing outside, feel the excitement of sacraments at St. Catejan's, understand the comfort of neighbors who are family, and grasp the desperation of being forced from your home.”

In addition to the creation of “Displaced but not Erased" and “I am Auraria,” the Displaced Aurarians Neighborhood Memory Project has supported the creation of a robust database of Auraria's residents between 1955 and 1973. This database was digitally mapped by partners at the University of Colorado Denver and built out by two graduate students hired by History Colorado. 

The outcomes of this project are also supporting ongoing efforts by the trio of higher education institutions at AHEC – including restoration projects on the 9th Street Historic Park and resources for students connected to this history. 

“As the ‘Displaced but Not Erased’ Auraria Memory Mural is unveiled, we honor and remember the deep history and enduring legacy of the families who once called this neighborhood home,” said Colleen Walker, CEO of the Auraria Campus. “This mural serves as both a remembrance and a celebration – a symbol of strength, healing, and the power of community. It ensures that the stories of those displaced are not only seen but continue to shape the future of Auraria. We are deeply grateful to the artists, Silas ‘Jolt’ Ulibarri and Ezra Herrera, for capturing this spirit, and to the community for their guidance and unwavering commitment to preserving this important history.”

The ongoing work at AHEC, and the efforts of History Colorado, have been designed to achieve a set of community outcomes generated in consultation with the displaced Aurarians.

“In our numerous workshops, meetings, and conversations with community members, there was a clear desire to enhance the visibility of the sacrifices made by the families of Auraria, connect the student body to this history, and provide a lasting memorial to the community that was displaced,” DiPrince said.

As with all Museum of Memory projects, the oral histories, photographs, documents, and additional artifacts gathered will be included in History Colorado’s permanent collection for future generations.

“Learning directly from the people who experienced this history builds a clearer and more authentic record,” DiPrince said. “These stories are part of our larger Colorado story and must be included in our official historic record.”

A previous vision of this Press Release incorrectly identified the mural as being painted on the Plaza building.

About History Colorado
History Colorado is a division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and a 501(c)3 non-profit that has served more than 75,000 students and 500,000 people in Colorado each year. It is a 145-year-old institution that operates eleven museums and historic sites, a free public research center, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation which provides technical assistance, educational opportunities, and other access to archaeology and historic preservation, and the History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), which is one of the nation’s largest state funded preservation programs of its kind. More than 70% of SHF grants are allocated in rural areas of the state. Additionally, the offices of the State Archaeologist and the State Historic Preservation Officer are part of History Colorado. 

History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving and sharing the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through educational programs, historic preservation grants, collecting, outreach to Colorado communities, the History Colorado Center and Stephen H. Hart Research Center in Denver, and 10 other museums and historic attractions statewide. History Colorado is one of only six Smithsonian Affiliates in Colorado. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information. #HistoryColorado