Colorado recently made headlines when several Chicano murals were listed as one of the “11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2022”, a nomination submitted by the Chicano/a/x Murals of Colorado Project (CMCP). Sun Valley is home to a handful of murals that either have been destroyed or are at risk. Some may not know about “Urban Dope, Rural Hope,” which was Denver’s largest mural, measuring 16-foot by 350-foot, on a privately-owned building at West 9th Ave and Bryant across from the former Sun Valley Housing and the South Platte River.
“Urban Dope, Rural Hope” was designed and painted by Emanuel Martínez, in collaboration with artists Elfego Baca, Ernie Gallegos, Roberto Roybal, and Carlos Sandoval, with numerous Sun Valley youth in 1977. The mural portrayed many facets of the Chicano experience with Mesoamerican imagery, telling a story of love, temptation, sorrow, and resilience. The mural was whitewashed in the 90s, and now with the efforts of the CYMP, there will be an attempt to uncover, restore, and preserve this history.
Additionally, efforts to restore David Ocelotl Garcia’s mural “Huitzilopochtli” on 8th Ave. near Federal has begun!
Visit us at Hijos del Sol when you are in the neighborhood!
