Denver Lodge No.5 History: Masonry came to Colorado with the pioneers and it may be said that the history of the early days of Colorado is a history of the achievements of the Masons of that time. Their firm belief in the tenets of the Fraternity-Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth-and their constant practice of the four cardinal virtues- Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice—caused them to work in harmony and to take a prominent part in all movements tending to promote the welfare of the community. The first recorded informal meeting of Masons in this region was held on November 3, 1858, and is described in a letter dated March 21, 1896, written by J. D. Ramage, the first junior Deacon of Auraria Lodge, U. D .2 This and subsequent meetings were dramatized by members of Denver Lodge No. 5 on November 1, 1958, in the presentation of a play entitled “This, Our Heritage. 5 On August 15, 1859, an application was made to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Kansas for a dispensation to organize Auraria Lodge, U. D., but through a series of most unfortunate events, caused by Indian depredations, swollen streams and the many other difficulties attendant upon travel, the dispensation did not arrive until October 1, 1859, when Right Worshipful Brother D. P. Wallingford, Past Deputy Grand Master of Missouri, in whose care the dispensation was committed, arrived to install the officers and set them to work. The first regular meeting of Masons in Colorado was then held on October 1, 1859, when a group met in the hall of Auraria Lodge, later known as 1361 11th Street, Denver .4 The minutes of Auraria Lodge contain many interesting items. On October 15, 1859, $110 was subscribed “for the good of Masonry.” On October 26, the lodge was “opened in due and ancient form … to perform the funeral ceremonies of Bro. Geo. Ewing, deceased. On November 26, there was read a “Petition of J. E. Hardy and others of Golden City, K. T., praying a recommendation of this Lodge to the M. W. Grand Lodge of Kansas for a dispensation authorizing and empowering them to work.” On December 3, the petition of A. N. J. Crook for the degrees of Masonry was received. Bro. Crook was initiated on December 10, 1859, the first Masonic initiate in the region. He died 50 years later, on December 2, 1909. The minutes further show that the first Masonic trial by Auraria Lodge was held on February 11, 1860. Golden City, Gold Hill and Parkville Lodges formed the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado in 1861, and on October 24, 1861, Denver City Lodge, U. D., received a dispensation from this Grand Lodge. The existence of this dispensation was but of short duration, for on December 11, 1861, the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado granted a charter to the lodge under the name and style of Denver Lodge No. 5, by which name it has continued to exist up to the present. The charter was written upon paper.5 On March 25, 1863, that charter was withdrawn and a new one, prepared upon parchment, was issued in its place. This charter issued in March, 1863, is the one now displayed in the lodge room. The first Worshipful Master of Denver Lodge No. 5 under its present name was P. S. Pfouts. Bro. Pfouts at the time of his election was the installed Master of, St. Joseph, Missouri, Lodge No. 78. It appears that he was very well versed in Masonry, and consequently the members of Denver Lodge No. 5 requested the Grand Master to grant a dispensation to ballot for Bro. Pfouts to become a member of the lodge. The dispensation was granted and Bro. Pfouts was elected to membership. The election of officers for the ensuing year then proceeded with the following results: Paris S. Pfouts, Worshipful Master Charles H. Blake, Senior Warden John H. Gerrish, junior Warden Fred Z. Salomon, Treasurer George W. Kassler, Secretary A Andrew Sagendorf, Senior Deacon E. S. Wilhite, junior Deacon E. Winslow Cobb, Senior Steward Chas. L. Bartlett, junior Steward William Porter, Tiler The various meeting places of Denver Lodge No. 5 during the early years of its existence were the Russell and Sagendorf log cabins in 1858-59; the next was over the store of Bro. Abraham Jacobs, on Perry (now 11th Street, near Holladay (now Market); from there-the lodge moved in 1862 to the upper floor of the building on 15th Street next to the corner of Holladay, over A. M. Clark & Co.’s bank; the next move was made in the fall of 1865 to the Hoyt building, on Blake Street between 15th and 16th Streets; then in February, 1868, to the Tappan Block, on the corner of Holladay and 15th Streets; in 1873 to the Fink Block, directly opposite the Tappan Block on 15th Street; in July, 1883, to the rear portion of the then City Hall on the 14th Street side; and on June 24, 1890, to our present building at the corner of 16th and Welton Streets.6 Wor. Bio. George B. Clark, past historian of the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado, in compiling a history of Union Lodge No. 7 has this to say about the year of 1863: “This combination of adverse circumstances in 1863, the dry winds and fire in the spring, the drought and loss of supplies in the summer, the severe winter opening early in the fall, and the near collapse of the mining industry- all these in addition to the rapidly growing tension over the political and war situation, produced a state of mind wherein each man was suspicious of his neighbor. Collisions were frequent. Even in Masonry, brother was arrayed against brother so sharply and so decidedly on the war question that it was feared the lodge in Denver might be disrupted. It was not alone the division on the issues of the war, because it is well known that Masonry functioned beautifully back and forth across the battle lines. William McKinley, a Major in the Federal Army and later President of the United States, received the degrees of Masonry in a Virginia lodge, officered by soldiers of the Confederate Army. Even in Denver the lodge could have survived had this been the only issue. But the cause was deeper. The discouragements produced by the disasters of 1863 so accentuated private opinion as to render any compromise almost impossible. The Grand Lodge of Colorado convened in Denver, November 2, 1863, and the prevailing unrest was the major topic. The question was one that could not, with Masonic propriety, be discussed either in lodge or in Grand Lodge. The brethren present were decidedly on one side or the other. The feeling was intense but a solution must be found if Colorado Masonry was to survive. A solution was found. Out of the conference came the decision to organize a new lodge in Denver and thus permit the two sides to separate and each function through a lodge of congenial members. A large majority of Denver Lodge No. 5, including many of its officers, believed the cause of the Southern Confederacy to be a just one. Opposed was the Administration party represented by the Governor and his Secretary and the Army group. Consequently the decision reached was to leave Denver Lodge No. 5, with its organization intact, and to organize the Union sympathizers into a new lodge. Thus Union Lodge was born. Both sides supported the action for they recognized the fact that Denver Lodge could not stand as it was and they were perfectly ready to have a new lodge set up along the suggested line.” Union Lodge No. 7 was chartered on November 3, 1863, a little more than two weeks prior to President Lincoln’s address at the dedication of the Gettysburg cemetery. It should be noted, that contrary to popular belief, no members of Denver Lodge No. 5 became charter members of ‘Union Lodge No. 7. On January 7, 1865, the Masonic Hall Association was formed, consisting of Denver Lodge No. 5, Union Lodge No. 7, and Denver Royal Arch Chapter, U. D., as members. Denver Lodge No. 5 subscribed $4,000 to the stock of the Association. Later, in 1881, The Masonic Temple Association of Denver, present owner of the building at 16th and Welton, was incorporated.7 A Masonic burying ground was purchased July 21, 1866, in the west part of the city, and was called the “Acacia Cemetery.” A committee was appointed to promote the best interests of the Fraternity relative to this cemetery and likewise to superintend the sale of lots to Masonic members. The Masonic funerals were always well attended and on each occasion the lodge went from the lodge room to the deceased brother’s residence. The procession was led by a band, known as the “Denver City Band.” The Worshipful Master made some appropriate remarks relative to the deceased brother’s life, and they then proceeded to the cemetery, where the Masonic burial service was given. On returning to the lodge room, a committee was appointed to prepare a resolution of condolence, a copy of which was sent to the family of the deceased. Many of these resolutions are to be found in the minutes and they furnish an interesting glimpse of a bygone age. In those days the lodge was required to open and close in the lodge room. In 1950 the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado permitted lodges to open and close wherever the ceremonies were to be given. On June 25, 1870, the lodge met in special communication and went from the hall to the depot grounds to assist the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado in laying the cornerstone of the Union Depot. After the ceremonies, the lodge repaired to the Fair Grounds for a picnic. These grounds were located on the east side of the city between 37th and 40th Streets, Marion to High Streets. The grounds were surrounded by a high wall, and many elaborate festivities were held there on numerous occasions. Cornerstone laying was a popular rite for the Fraternity in those years. Denver Lodge No. 5 participated in the cornerstone laying of the University of Colorado on September 20, 1875, and assisted at similar functions in later years.
Denver Lodge No.5 History: Masonry came to Colorado with the pioneers and it may be said that the history of the early days of Colorado is a history of the achievements of the Masons of that time. Their firm belief in the tenets of the Fraternity-Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth-and their constant practice of the four cardinal virtues- Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice—caused them to work in harmony and to take a prominent part in all movements tending to promote the welfare of the community. The first recorded informal meeting of Masons in this region was held on November 3, 1858, and is described in a letter dated March 21, 1896, written by J. D. Ramage, the first junior Deacon of Auraria Lodge, U. D .2 This and subsequent meetings were dramatized by members of Denver Lodge No. 5 on November 1, 1958, in the presentation of a play entitled “This, Our Heritage. 5 On August 15, 1859, an application was made to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Kansas for a dispensation to organize Auraria Lodge, U. D., but through a series of most unfortunate events, caused by Indian depredations, swollen streams and the many other difficulties attendant upon travel, the dispensation did not arrive until October 1, 1859, when Right Worshipful Brother D. P. Wallingford, Past Deputy Grand Master of Missouri, in whose care the dispensation was committed, arrived to install the officers and set them to work. The first regular meeting of Masons in Colorado was then held on October 1, 1859, when a group met in the hall of Auraria Lodge, later known as 1361 11th Street, Denver .4 The minutes of Auraria Lodge contain many interesting items. On October 15, 1859, $110 was subscribed “for the good of Masonry.” On October 26, the lodge was “opened in due and ancient form … to perform the funeral ceremonies of Bro. Geo. Ewing, deceased. On November 26, there was read a “Petition of J. E. Hardy and others of Golden City, K. T., praying a recommendation of this Lodge to the M. W. Grand Lodge of Kansas for a dispensation authorizing and empowering them to work.” On December 3, the petition of A. N. J. Crook for the degrees of Masonry was received. Bro. Crook was initiated on December 10, 1859, the first Masonic initiate in the region. He died 50 years later, on December 2, 1909. The minutes further show that the first Masonic trial by Auraria Lodge was held on February 11, 1860. Golden City, Gold Hill and Parkville Lodges formed the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado in 1861, and on October 24, 1861, Denver City Lodge, U. D., received a dispensation from this Grand Lodge. The existence of this dispensation was but of short duration, for on December 11, 1861, the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado granted a charter to the lodge under the name and style of Denver Lodge No. 5, by which name it has continued to exist up to the present. The charter was written upon paper.5 On March 25, 1863, that charter was withdrawn and a new one, prepared upon parchment, was issued in its place. This charter issued in March, 1863, is the one now displayed in the lodge room. The first Worshipful Master of Denver Lodge No. 5 under its present name was P. S. Pfouts. Bro. Pfouts at the time of his election was the installed Master of, St. Joseph, Missouri, Lodge No. 78. It appears that he was very well versed in Masonry, and consequently the members of Denver Lodge No. 5 requested the Grand Master to grant a dispensation to ballot for Bro. Pfouts to become a member of the lodge. The dispensation was granted and Bro. Pfouts was elected to membership. The election of officers for the ensuing year then proceeded with the following results: Paris S. Pfouts, Worshipful Master Charles H. Blake, Senior Warden John H. Gerrish, junior Warden Fred Z. Salomon, Treasurer George W. Kassler, Secretary A Andrew Sagendorf, Senior Deacon E. S. Wilhite, junior Deacon E. Winslow Cobb, Senior Steward Chas. L. Bartlett, junior Steward William Porter, Tiler The various meeting places of Denver Lodge No. 5 during the early years of its existence were the Russell and Sagendorf log cabins in 1858-59; the next was over the store of Bro. Abraham Jacobs, on Perry (now 11th Street, near Holladay (now Market); from there-the lodge moved in 1862 to the upper floor of the building on 15th Street next to the corner of Holladay, over A. M. Clark & Co.’s bank; the next move was made in the fall of 1865 to the Hoyt building, on Blake Street between 15th and 16th Streets; then in February, 1868, to the Tappan Block, on the corner of Holladay and 15th Streets; in 1873 to the Fink Block, directly opposite the Tappan Block on 15th Street; in July, 1883, to the rear portion of the then City Hall on the 14th Street side; and on June 24, 1890, to our present building at the corner of 16th and Welton Streets.6 Wor. Bio. George B. Clark, past historian of the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado, in compiling a history of Union Lodge No. 7 has this to say about the year of 1863: “This combination of adverse circumstances in 1863, the dry winds and fire in the spring, the drought and loss of supplies in the summer, the severe winter opening early in the fall, and the near collapse of the mining industry- all these in addition to the rapidly growing tension over the political and war situation, produced a state of mind wherein each man was suspicious of his neighbor. Collisions were frequent. Even in Masonry, brother was arrayed against brother so sharply and so decidedly on the war question that it was feared the lodge in Denver might be disrupted. It was not alone the division on the issues of the war, because it is well known that Masonry functioned beautifully back and forth across the battle lines. William McKinley, a Major in the Federal Army and later President of the United States, received the degrees of Masonry in a Virginia lodge, officered by soldiers of the Confederate Army. Even in Denver the lodge could have survived had this been the only issue. But the cause was deeper. The discouragements produced by the disasters of 1863 so accentuated private opinion as to render any compromise almost impossible. The Grand Lodge of Colorado convened in Denver, November 2, 1863, and the prevailing unrest was the major topic. The question was one that could not, with Masonic propriety, be discussed either in lodge or in Grand Lodge. The brethren present were decidedly on one side or the other. The feeling was intense but a solution must be found if Colorado Masonry was to survive. A solution was found. Out of the conference came the decision to organize a new lodge in Denver and thus permit the two sides to separate and each function through a lodge of congenial members. A large majority of Denver Lodge No. 5, including many of its officers, believed the cause of the Southern Confederacy to be a just one. Opposed was the Administration party represented by the Governor and his Secretary and the Army group. Consequently the decision reached was to leave Denver Lodge No. 5, with its organization intact, and to organize the Union sympathizers into a new lodge. Thus Union Lodge was born. Both sides supported the action for they recognized the fact that Denver Lodge could not stand as it was and they were perfectly ready to have a new lodge set up along the suggested line.” Union Lodge No. 7 was chartered on November 3, 1863, a little more than two weeks prior to President Lincoln’s address at the dedication of the Gettysburg cemetery. It should be noted, that contrary to popular belief, no members of Denver Lodge No. 5 became charter members of ‘Union Lodge No. 7. On January 7, 1865, the Masonic Hall Association was formed, consisting of Denver Lodge No. 5, Union Lodge No. 7, and Denver Royal Arch Chapter, U. D., as members. Denver Lodge No. 5 subscribed $4,000 to the stock of the Association. Later, in 1881, The Masonic Temple Association of Denver, present owner of the building at 16th and Welton, was incorporated.7 A Masonic burying ground was purchased July 21, 1866, in the west part of the city, and was called the “Acacia Cemetery.” A committee was appointed to promote the best interests of the Fraternity relative to this cemetery and likewise to superintend the sale of lots to Masonic members. The Masonic funerals were always well attended and on each occasion the lodge went from the lodge room to the deceased brother’s residence. The procession was led by a band, known as the “Denver City Band.” The Worshipful Master made some appropriate remarks relative to the deceased brother’s life, and they then proceeded to the cemetery, where the Masonic burial service was given. On returning to the lodge room, a committee was appointed to prepare a resolution of condolence, a copy of which was sent to the family of the deceased. Many of these resolutions are to be found in the minutes and they furnish an interesting glimpse of a bygone age. In those days the lodge was required to open and close in the lodge room. In 1950 the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado permitted lodges to open and close wherever the ceremonies were to be given. On June 25, 1870, the lodge met in special communication and went from the hall to the depot grounds to assist the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Colorado in laying the cornerstone of the Union Depot. After the ceremonies, the lodge repaired to the Fair Grounds for a picnic. These grounds were located on the east side of the city between 37th and 40th Streets, Marion to High Streets. The grounds were surrounded by a high wall, and many elaborate festivities were held there on numerous occasions. Cornerstone laying was a popular rite for the Fraternity in those years. Denver Lodge No. 5 participated in the cornerstone laying of the University of Colorado on September 20, 1875, and assisted at similar functions in later years.
The University of Colorado composes four distinct campuses - University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus - united in making a difference. The state's leading public research university, CU plays a profound role in the lives of individuals, businesses and communities throughout Colorado, across the country and around the world. As president of CU, Bruce D. Benson leads the university which boasts more than 61,000 undergraduate, graduate and first-professional students. Nearly half a million alumni have led the way in business, science, the arts, health care and their communities, and they’re joined by 15,000 more each year.
Since 1994, Cooking Matters Colorado has empowered over 70,000 families across the state with the skills to stretch their food budgets and cook healthy meals so their children get nutritious food at home. As part of the No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America, Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters teaches participants to shop smarter, use nutrition information to make healthier choices and cook delicious, affordable meals. Founded in 1993, Cooking Matters and thousands of volunteers have helped more than 265,000 low-income families in communities across the country learn how to eat better for less. Share Our Strength founded Cooking Matters on a unique model of collaboration between Share Our Strength and local program partners that leverages the strengths of all involved. Share Our Strength provides professional-level curricula and instructional materials, training, evaluation and national leadership support while local program partners provide hands-on, grassroots-level resources, program customization and relationships that are best addressed on the local level. This collaborative program model makes Cooking Matters uniquely effective, efficient and sustainable among national nonprofit education programs. Together, we are ending childhood hunger in Colorado as part of the national No Kid Hungry campaign. To join us, visit co.cookingmatters.org.
Since 1994, Cooking Matters Colorado has empowered over 70,000 families across the state with the skills to stretch their food budgets and cook healthy meals so their children get nutritious food at home. As part of the No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger in America, Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters teaches participants to shop smarter, use nutrition information to make healthier choices and cook delicious, affordable meals. Founded in 1993, Cooking Matters and thousands of volunteers have helped more than 265,000 low-income families in communities across the country learn how to eat better for less. Share Our Strength founded Cooking Matters on a unique model of collaboration between Share Our Strength and local program partners that leverages the strengths of all involved. Share Our Strength provides professional-level curricula and instructional materials, training, evaluation and national leadership support while local program partners provide hands-on, grassroots-level resources, program customization and relationships that are best addressed on the local level. This collaborative program model makes Cooking Matters uniquely effective, efficient and sustainable among national nonprofit education programs. Together, we are ending childhood hunger in Colorado as part of the national No Kid Hungry campaign. To join us, visit co.cookingmatters.org.
The Early Education Department is guided by the following core beliefs: Young children need time to grow and develop through play and experience. Supporting families in their roles as nurturers and first teachers leads to greater academic achievement for their children and more parental involvement in DPS and the community. Rigorous early learning requires that instructional activities are planned with intention and classroom environments and experiences are designed to meet specific learning outcomes. The building blocks of rigorous early learning programs include children’s development of cognitive processes, receptive and expressive language, fine and gross motor skills, positive behaviors and interactions, and self regulation. This creates the foundation of all learning. The development of young learners requires that teachers in early learning programs continually differentiate instruction to support advancement of the developmental continuum. Early learning standards link content and desired outcomes to specific ages or developmental periods. A comprehensive, high quality early education continuum, birth through eight, closes the achievement gap.
The Colorado Education Initiative is an independent nonprofit working in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education and public education stakeholders to accelerate bold improvements in student achievement through innovation, collaboration, and capacity building.
The Colorado Education Initiative is an independent nonprofit working in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education and public education stakeholders to accelerate bold improvements in student achievement through innovation, collaboration, and capacity building.
Program Overview Since 1946, Denver Kids, Inc. has provided educational counseling and mentoring to thousands of Denver Public School (DPS) students, grades K-12. Each child is provided with the support and guidance that most effectively minimizes the risk factors that are impeding academic success. The program strives to help each student achieve his or her potential by offering encouragement and addressing the factors that promote healthy social, physical, and mental development. Denver Kids, Inc. is a preventive counseling and mentoring program that currently provides one-to-one guidance to over 1,000 students in DPS. Additional programs include Future Options, Parent Engagement and Enrichment Activities. School personnel, who recognize that the students’ problems extend beyond those that the schools' resources can address, refer students to Denver Kids, Inc. Each full-time Denver Kids, Inc. educational counselor works with a caseload of 55 to 65 students. They see students on a weekly to semi-monthly basis and are often the most stabilizing influence in the child’s life. Referrals of students are encouraged in the elementary years, as research has shown that long term consistent support of at-risk students is most effective. On average, a student is in the program for eight years. Once a student has entered the program, Denver Kids, Inc. is committed to supporting the child through high school graduation as long as he or she remains a student of DPS. Denver Kids, Inc. is successful in helping students achieve academic success through constant reinforcement of positive behaviors, exposure to a myriad of opportunities, and encouragement of academic achievement and attendance.
CU Advocates is a dynamic network of University of Colorado supporters who want to be educated about, engaged with and empowered by matters important to CU. CU Advocates spread the word around the state about CU’s significance to the state’s economy and quality of life. We are inviting all CU students, parents, faculty, staff, donors and alumni, as well as business leaders, community members and friends to become a CU Advocate.
CU Advocates is a dynamic network of University of Colorado supporters who want to be educated about, engaged with and empowered by matters important to CU. CU Advocates spread the word around the state about CU’s significance to the state’s economy and quality of life. We are inviting all CU students, parents, faculty, staff, donors and alumni, as well as business leaders, community members and friends to become a CU Advocate.
The Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown Denver underwent a full renovation in 2012 to offer updated amenities, new room decor and furnishings and upgraded technology for our guests. With 148 rooms and suites, each equipped with mini-fridge and microwave for added convenience, we have something to suit everyone's needs.
The Tenth Circuit Library system is made up of the Denver Library and branch libraries in Albuquerque, Cheyenne, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, Tulsa, and Wichita. The mission of each of these libraries is to provide library services and legal research support to all federal courts within the geographic boundaries of the six states comprising the Tenth Circuit. The federal courts served are the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, District Courts, and Bankruptcy Courts.
My Creative Dept is your personal creative team with all of the skills necessary to launch your next marketing campaign. From concept through implementation, we offer everything you need from photo & video, to design, animation and optimization both online and off. From the most basic logos or corporate identity packs to the most complex of cross platform marketing campaigns, MCD prides itself on producing a cohesive and consistent brand message to your target audience. Our team of creative professionals is eager to collaborate with you and work on implementing your company goals. Whether you are growing, streamlining, or catering to a new target market, we are prepared to support you by offering you the best in customer service, quality, and creativity. My Creative Dept is a one-stop shop for all of your cutting edge multimedia creative service needs.
Mile High Community Loan Fund (MHCLF) is an eleven year old community loan fund.