We're now in Phase II of the Mountain West Hub! Read more here
Project Geography
The Mountain West Hub focuses on two Colorado communities- one rural and one urban: the San Luis Valley (SLV) and West Denver.
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Both areas, like much of the Mountain West, are experiencing increasing environmental challenges, including:
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More frequent wildfires
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Hotter seasons
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Persistent drought
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Unsafe air quality​
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These impacts are not felt equally. Communities that have faced historical and ongoing under-investment, such as West Denver and the San Luis Valley, experience these environmental burdens earlier and more intensely.
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Yet these same communities are leading efforts to build resilience, strengthen local systems, and shape healthier futures. Meaningful progress requires centering community voices and forming authentic, reciprocal partnerships across sectors and areas of expertise.
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Below is a map of the San Luis Valley and West Denver showing Colorado EnviroScreen Score Percentiles, which compare environmental health burdens across Colorado counties. Higher percentiles indicate higher environmental health challenges. West Denver neighborhoods are highlighted in green.
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Our Focus Areas
Learn about the unique communities of the San Luis Valley and West Denver where we work:
The San Luis Valley (SLV) is a rural intermountain desert valley in south-central Colorado, bordered by the Rocky Mountains and northern New Mexico, with a population of about 45,600 residents. Roughly the size of Connecticut, the SLV is known for its agriculture, especially potato and barley production, and for Great Sand Dunes National Park. With the Rio Grande flowing through the region, waterways play a central role in Valley communities. Learn more in this Story Map from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
West Denver includes six neighborhoods: Sun Valley, West Colfax, Villa Park, Barnum, Barnum West, and Valverde, with a combined population of about 39,000 residents. Located in southwest Denver, the area features natural assets such as gulches, the South Platte River, and local parks, alongside major corridors that connect the metro region. West Denver is culturally rich, historically significant, and home to many local businesses. Learn more in Denver’s West Area Plan.​