How community stories are preserving little saigon’s history.
Nestled along Federal Boulevard between Mississippi and Alameda, Little Saigon stands as a beacon of Southeast Asian culture and community. For decades, this area has thrived as a multi-ethnic center, with Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian families and businesses forming the heart of this vibrant district. From humble beginnings in the 1980s, when refugees from Southeast Asia resettled in Colorado after devastating conflicts, Little Saigon has grown into a thriving cultural enclave. These resilient individuals, arriving with little, managed to rebuild their lives and foster a community that honors their heritage while embracing new opportunities.
Today, Little Saigon is more than a marketplace—it is a cultural hub, offering everything from authentic pho and durian to unique Asian goods and gifts. Visitors can experience the warmth of community, tradition, and resilience in every corner. The businesses and families here reflect the enduring spirit of survival and cultural pride, making Little Saigon a cherished part of Denver’s cultural landscape.
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Collecting oral histories
Nalye Lor installed the beautiful Chinatown mural on 1890 Lawrence Street to celebrate the resilience of the Chinese immigrants. The noodles on the mural symbolize longevity and past people who’ve built our community.
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Economic revitalization
From when the first Denver Chinese resident was recorded (1869), to the year CAPU was founded (2022), 8 historically significant dates were selected to become immortalized inside the Sugarblock alleyway. This alley used to be the heart of Denver’s Historic Chinatown. CAPU is working to revitalize this alleyway into a thriving community space.
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There's a Lane for us
The remnants are gone, but Denver was once home to the largest Chinese enclave in the Rocky Mountains. At its peak, nearly 1,000 residents lived along Wazee and Blake streets from 15th to 17th in what is now Lower Downtown. So what happened to them?
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small business fund
Where is Denver’s Chinatown? Stories Remembered, Reclaimed, Reimagined invites visitors to uncover the history of the neighborhood, discover what happened to it, and help imagine what it might become.
