PRESS CONTACT:
Luke Perkins, Manager of Communications and Public Relations
303.866.3670 | luke.perkins@state.co.us

“Fire Station No. 3 is a beautiful building that is a testament to the bravery and community leadership of the all-Black firefighting crew with decades of service,” said Dawn DiPrince, president/CEO of History Colorado and State Historic Preservation Officer. “Our team is grateful to be able to work alongside community members to add Fire Station No. 3 into the State and National Historic Register. Our Colorado Heritage for All Initiative is dedicated to ensuring important history like this is represented in the official historic memory and exists far into the future.”

Located at 2500 N Washington Street in Five Points, Station No. 3 is a single story Spanish bungalow-style firehouse constructed from various hues of red and brown bricks. The building was purposely built to fit into the surrounding architecture but includes several decorative embellishments including a white stone belt that wraps around the entirety of the building.

While many of the structures surrounding Station No.3 have been redeveloped, the firehouse has maintained an incredible level of historic integrity. The continuity of the building helps maintain the community’s connection to the station’s historic role as an oasis where community members could go for safety, as well as everything from car repairs to haircuts during Denver’s segregated past.

“Station No. 3 has been, and still is, a cornerstone of the Five Points neighborhood,” said Terri Gentry, engagement manager for Black communities at History Colorado. “Its story is one of courage, dedication and love in the face of discrimination. The men and women who have served there had a higher calling to save the lives and property of the entire community and I am so happy to see them finally be honored in this way for the sacrifices they made.”

The longevity of Station No. 3 is due to the commitment from the community to protect this historical treasure. A powerful example of the community’s dedication to protecting Station No. 3 came in the 1970s when the station was being decommissioned and its crew disbanded. When the community became aware, they petitioned department leadership and the firehouse was reinstated. 

During the process, Station No.3 was closed and unstaffed for only 24 hours.

“Being recognized on the National Register of Historic Places is a significant honor for Station No. 3, as it not only highlights the historical and cultural importance of the fire department but also emphasizes the legacy and enduring value of the department within the community,” said Denver Fire Chief Desmond G. Fulton. “This designation honors the resilience and contributions of African American firefighters who served this community during a challenging time in our history and underscores the importance of Station No. 3 as not just a facility, but a heritage site that reflects the bravery and dedication of all firefighters who have served for generations. This recognition increases the public awareness and support for the Denver Fire Department, and the brave men and women who selflessly serve their fellow citizens, while also strengthening community ties and enhancing their role in preserving local history.”

To commemorate Fire Station No.3 being added to the National Register of Historic Places, Denver Fire Department will be hosting a recognition celebration on November 14 from 12:30 – 1 p.m. This celebration will be at Station No. 3 located at 2500 Washington St., Denver, and will include remarks from Mayor of Denver Mike Johnston; Denver Fire Chief Desmond G. Fulton; and Dawn DiPrince, President/CEO of History Colorado and State Historic Preservation Officer.

History of Station No. 3
While the history of the current building goes back to 1931, the story of Station No. 3 and its dedicated crews stretches back even further to 1888, when the original firehouse was constructed across the street at 2563 Glenarm Place to serve the ethnically diverse Five Points Neighborhood of Denver. The first Black fire crew to staff Station No. 3 was established in 1893 and Silas Johnson became the first Black Captain at Denver Fire in 1897, making Station No. 3 an all-Black staffed station. 

While the creation of Station No.3 opened up public service jobs for Black men, their opportunities were severely limited. These men were not allowed to serve at other stations until 1957, when the department was integrated but new positions and promotions only opened up following retirements or resignations. This meant that while the devoted crews of Station No. 3 were crucial to the community, they had little hope for upward career mobility.

“Just the indignity of knowing that no matter how hard you worked or what you did, you were not allowed to advance. So, it’s a bittersweet story,” said Glen Davis, the granddaughter of a Denver firefighter who served at Station No. 3 before being transferred as part of the Denver Fire Department’s integration process.

Station No. 3 firefighters also struggled with having proper gear for their dangerous jobs and often had some of the oldest equipment in the department. Failures of this dated equipment were commonly blamed on Black firefighters, including a tragic collision between Engine No. 3 and Engine No. 4 in 1938, which killed two of the firefighters from Station No. 3 and critically injured three more.

In 1957, Denver Fire Department racially integrated its stations which opened up new career opportunities for Black Firefighters. In 2001, Roderick “Rod” Juniel became Denver’s first African American fire chief.

To this day, Station No. 3 continues to serve the Five Points Neighborhood.

About Colorado Heritage for All
Colorado Heritage for All is an intentional effort by History Colorado to address the lack of representation of all Colorado's diverse communities on the State and National Register of Historic Places. Colorado Heritage for All supports nominations and the listing of 150 currently unrecognized historic resources that tell the stories of marginalized communities by the end of 2026.

As part of Colorado Heritage for All, History Colorado is seeking community suggestions for properties that are vital to understanding the history of the Centennial State. Coloradans are encouraged to submit suggestions for sites that should be added to the State and National Registers of Historic Places through this online submission form or by contacting the State Historic Preservation Office via Email at hc_oahp@state.co.us. 

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