Mestizo-Curtis Park Community Coalition

"Eyes on the Park' Mural

This mural beloved by all, is slated for demolition. It was very clear at the Sept. 10 community meeting that the neighborhood wanted to save the mural. And we got the usual answer "NO" from the public art people. What about stabilizing it, moving it, and then doing the work to make it permanent art. The city will probably not pay for it. We need money!

ART SELECTION FOR POOL PROJECT
There was a small meeting that was an intro to the public art process....just the process. Here is the short version: 1% of the pool project budget is for art. The process involves forming a community-led selection panel, open call for a Request for Qualifications from artists (RFQ, which is basically an artist's resume showing previous work/projects), selecting qualified finalists for a paid proposal (artist presentation of proposed art for the project) the panel makes a recommendation. Approval is required from the Public Art Committee, the DCCA, and potentially the Mayor or City Council.
***We still don't know how much space there is for art or a budget***
We can start looking for people to be on the panel and ask (s)he to apply. If an artist wants to submit a proposal, that artist cannot be on the panel. There are no nominations for the panel members. Individuals must apply.

This is why we fight for equity. This is why we fight for a pool that serves our community.

After I Was Born, My Mother Took A Bold Risk — Sparking A Domino Effect In Our Family For Generations "My grandmother never stepped into a pool. But she empowered the next three generations to step forward anyway."

NOTE ABOUT POOL EXTRAS AND PROGRAMING: The Coalition needs to find grants and fund raise to pay for the extras, installation, and probably programing. We don't know how much the extras will cost. We still don't know the size of the pool other than length. There are still lots of moving parts. Stay tuned.

UPDATE 2/2/26 STEERING COMMITEE MEETING

THE TURNING POINT. 8/12/25. P&R was unaware that Mestizo-Curtis Park was in a historic landmark district which required approval of the new poolhouse design from the city's Landmark Preservation Commission. Word got out to leaders in the Chicano community. The Chicanos showed up in full force. They heard that the beloved Manuel Martinez mural, "Eyes on the Park" was going to be destroyed. That was only part of the story. The did not know the pool size would be cut in half with an equally sized play pool. They knew how heavily used the pool was. They knew how important it was and who the pool served. From the day the pool opened in 1936, it has always served kids of color. They did not that P&R was treating Mestizo-Curtis Park as a throw-away park. The design for the poolhouse design was cheap, garish and clashed with the historic district. The Landmark Commissioners denied it hard!! The Chicanos joined forces with the mostly white neighbors. Black community leaders joined. This was POWERFUL. Councilman Darrell Watson then agreed to help.

Mestizo-Curtis Park Pool Project Comes to Halt After Outcry From Residents The Landmark Preservation Commission denied the initial proposed design on August 5.

A short bit, 05/04/25. Neighbors had already been "working" with P&R for a year. They never notified us of any City Council committee meetings where they had to present and get approvals. They did not want any opposition from the annoying neighbors.

New bathhouse, pools coming to Denver's Mestizo-Curtis Park - NewsBreak The Denver City Council will vote on Monday on whether to approve the building plan for a new bathhouse at Mestizo-Curtis Park in the Five Points neighborh

Another article regarding the lack of action to do anything on the pool renovation. Written on 6/19/24. This was near the begining of neighbors pushing P&R to get going on the pool. It had been 3 years after the bond money was approved and the pool had been closed.

Denver closed Mestizo-Curtis Pool to rebuild it. When? Who knows? Denver Parks and Recreation lacks a design or a timeline for a new Five Points pool — one of many incomplete bond projects.

Article from 05/07/25. Parks & Rec was not listening to the public and was pushing through what they thought was best for us.

The Mestizo-Curtis Park pool will be closed for two more summers for renovations A new bathhouse is coming.

FYI....A press article Rocky Mountain PBS, 10/01/25

Residents push back on city's renovation plans for Mestizo-Curtis Park pool | Rocky Mountain PBS The Mestizo-Curtis Park Pool has been closed for two years and Denver’s plan to replace it with two smaller pools has drawn pushback.

Mestizo-Curtis Park Pool
Will Be Full Size, 50 meter
WE DID IT!!

Here are the results of Parks and Rec's last survey.