Denver City Council Renames Columbus Park as La Raza Park

Viva la raza.

Such was the rallying cry of the Chicano movement in the 1960s and ’70s and now, a park in Denver’s Sunnyside will serve as a constant reminder of that effort.

Denver City Council unanimously voted Monday night to rename Columbus Park as La Raza Park.

For sponsoring Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval, whose district covers the park, the site has always been called by its new name and it was about time for the moniker to be made official, she said.

“‘La raza is a word of unity and about celebrating community,” Sandoval said, fighting back tears.

Aside from one resident who said he was opposed to the renaming and that it detracts from the local Italian-American community, all others spoke in favor of the change during public comment.

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