rendering of 8315 East Colfax

Construction is Underway

It is official! Mercy Housing Mountain Plains (MHMP) is excited to announce that construction is underway at our newest development property on the corner of East Colfax and Valentia Street in Denver, Colorado. The 82-apartment affordable housing community, with a ground floor early childhood education center, began construction in early January. The Rose on Colfax will be the first mixed-use building of its kind for the neighborhood. The name was selected by the local community during outreach with the East Colfax Neighborhood Association and symbolizes budding growth and life. The Rose is expected to open in the Spring of 2023.

The timing and location of this new development are paramount, as Denver faces skyrocketing housing prices and an extreme housing deficit. The East Colfax corridor has historically lacked access to many essential services, including housing. Thanks to the collaboration of the City and County of Denver and several key partners, Mercy Housing can breathe fresh life into this eclectic neighborhood to promote equitable growth and development.

The Rose on Colfax will also be home to the Mile High United Way Early Childhood Education Center, answering the community’s need for additional childcare options in this area. We are thankful for the many funders, including Mile High United Way (MHUW), that participated in the capital campaign to build out the early childhood education (ECE) center. The 5,400 square feet of ground-floor space will be dedicated to the operations of the ECE, serving approximately 50 children (infants to preschool age) with an educational and stimulating environment.

Christine Bereno, President and CEO of MHUW, is proud to support the ECE center that will not only serve Mercy Housing residents but the community at large.

“This project [The Rose on Colfax] aligns with Mile High United Way’s mission to support families with wraparound supportive
services, including the onsite early childhood education center. Founded 135 years ago in Denver, CO, Mile High United Way
continues to strategically partner with organizations that will support families for years to come,” said Christine.

The ECE will be managed by Mile High Learning, a Montessori inspired early care and education leader in Denver for 50 years. This partnership will offer Mercy Housing families and families within the community a safe, affordable, and nurturing environment for young learners to expand their minds and grow their talents.

The Rose on Colfax will also offer free, onsite wraparound Resident Services programming to all Mercy Housing residents. These services, combined with the onsite ECE, will meet families where they are and offer a solid foundation to help them reach their full potential.

We are excited to celebrate the beginning of this journey with you in a ceremonial groundbreaking event on April 7th, 2022.

Join us to hear Mayor Michael B. Hancock, City and County of Denver; Britta Fisher, City and County of Denver Chief Housing Officer, Department of Housing Stability; Councilman Christopher Herndon, City and County of Denver; Dee Walsh, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Mercy Housing; Christine Bereno, President and CEO of Mile High United Way; Dr. Pamela Harris, President and CEO of Mile High Early Learning, and more.