Despite opposition from two stakeholders, one being the University of Denver, the Denver City Council unanimously approved creating the University Park Historic District — preserving 19 structures within the boundaries. 

The district is somewhat unique as it is not continuous, thus is not bound by any one start or end point. It includes several properties separated by many blocks, including University Park and the Chamberlin Observatory, Fitzroy Place and the Holland House, among others. 

The district will make it easier for residents to apply for a historic structure designation, since they don’t have to live within the boundaries of said district. The new ruling requires the exterior of buildings within the district be maintained in perpetuity, preserving the historic development of the neighborhood. 

In a public hearing Monday, only residents in support of the creation of the district were present.

Mike Cox represents the University Park Community Council and said the designation is not seeking to stifle change in the neighborhood, but rather preserve and tell its story. 

“University Park has a meaningful and interesting history mainly due to its proximity to DU, but has also been subject to new development as older homes are replaced with larger more modern ones,” Cox said. “The 19 properties in the historic district are such a small percentage of the residential properties within and shows this is not an attempt to block the evolution of the neighborhood.”

One of the properties, known as the Buchtel Bungalow, stirred some controversy during the hearing. The home was built between 1906 and 1907 for Henry Augustus Buchtel, who would serve his term as governor of Colorado while living in the Bungalow. Buchtel would also go on to be the chancellor of DU, saving the university from bankruptcy during his tenure. 

The University of Denver owns the building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This does not protect it from demolition however, and some residents feared that if it were sold, the new owners may demolish it. The University was one of two entities opposed to the creation of the historic district, but did not appear to speak before the council.

Instead, the University submitted a letter of opposition. 

“Please understand that the University supports the creation of the non-contiguous district. In fact, one of the university’s properties, the Chamberlin Observatory is included for landmark designation,” it reads. “The University, however, believes it to be in its best interest to exclude (Buchtel Bungalow) from landmark designation at this time.”

The University cited its inability to use the home as an educational facility and the potential for a sale at some point in the future. It would rather leave the fate of the home in the hands of a prospective buyer, who may be discouraged by the historic designation.

The University’s efforts somewhat mirror those of Monfort Companies and their El Chapultepec saga, though this building has yet to reach Denver’s Landmark Preservation Commission. Typically, the city council is against approving landmark designations against the owners wishes. 

The DU officials said they respect the process and decision made by the Landmark Commission in a statement provided to The Denver Gazette Tuesday. 

“The university is proud of the history of the Buchtel Bungalow and what it has meant to the campus,” according to the statement.

District 6 Councilman Paul Kashmann, who “bleeds red and gold,” dismissed DU’s opposition. He said moving forward with the historic designation is the “slightest ask” the city could make of them to preserve what could be the most historic residence in the neighborhood. 

“I don’t believe in encasing the city in amber, but I do firmly believe in the importance of honoring our past,” Kashmann said. “(University Park) lost tons of beautiful historic homes over the years and I think this approach of a dis-contiguous district is a brilliant way to preserve history while always also maintaining the community’s ability to evolve.”