This project offers a unique look at social, economic and political dynamics in the Denver region, through visual mapping. Maps present suggestive and revealing pictures of the region, filled with geographic data and patterns that are often hard to convey with just narrative. They unveil hidden realities in our communities, present a new angle on familiar phenomena, and deepen our understanding of the world around us. Maps can suggest new courses of action, needed policy changes, or new strategies to community organizations, neighborhood leaders and local officials. This compendium can be explored in any order, as each map stands alone, telling its own piece of our regional story.

The maps will take readers through the story of Denver’s 2003 Mayoral race, to gentrification patterns in inner-city Denver, to policing patterns in the streets and in the schools. Though the revelations may sometimes be troubling, we hope they help improve our understanding of our community and inform action to improve it!