Columbus Park in northwest Denver is now officially recognized as La Raza Park as of Monday, December 21.
The park has long been known as La Raza Park to locals who visit often. After more than 50 years, the city has moved to change the name.
In a unanimous vote on Monday, the Denver City Council approved to rid the Sunnyside park of it's Christopher Columbus namesake. The park was named after the historical figure in 1931.
The sudden move to change the park's name was inspired by the racial justice movement that occurred across the nation this summer. The disturbing death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody ignited conversation and demonstrations around the globe, but especially in the U.S.
Many American cities saw protesters calling on their local government to remove monuments to Confederate sympathizers, slave owners, and white supremacists.
The initiative to rename the Denver park, championed by District 1 Councilwoman Amanda Sandoval, received overwhelming support from residents and state representatives like Rep. Serena Gonzalez-Gutierrez and Sen. Julie Gonzalez.
"What Christopher Columbus did was genocide," said Sandoval. "It is time we stop celebrating Columbus and recognize the people, or - as we say in this park - La Raza."
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