In 1861, Denver was little more than a mining camp. Looking to civilize Denver and promote his religious convictions, Dr. Evans founded the Colorado Seminary in the Downtown area in 1864. The school financially failed and closed in 1868.

Dr. Evans pursued business interests in real estate and railroads. He and his son founded the Denver Tramway Company which became the dominant street car company in Denver. Dr. Evans also had a hand in the forming of the Union Pacific Railroad and the legislation that paved the way for the transcontinental railroad.

Dr. Evans did not lose sight of his dream for an institution of higher learning and reopened the school in 1880 as the University of Denver although it remained the Colorado Seminary legally. Denver’s downtown continued to grow and real estate land values increased significantly. With the intention of future expansion in a more idyllic setting conducive to learning, Dr. Evans accepted the donation of 80-acres of land from Rufus Clark, founder of South Denver and relocated the University of Denver to the site of the current campus. The campus would later expand to its present 125-acres. This area would become the University neighborhood of today.

In the 1880's, the Iliff School of Theology was founded at University of Denver by Elizabeth Iliff Warren in honor of her late husband. The main building was built on 7-acres as part of the DU campus in 1892, but legally separated itself from the University after the turn of the century as it remains today.

With a student population exceeding 10,000-students, DU is the oldest private college in the Rocky Mountain Region and is academically well-regarded nationally. 

The University neighborhood is defined by the University of Denver. Its livelihood and its profile are inseparable from DU – in a good way. As you drive the University neighborhood, you see and feel its DU heritage. The majestic campus buildings with expanses of open grass and old-grow trees makes for a grand first impression. In recent years, DU has expanded significantly with the construction of several buildings brimming with the latest in learning technologies and sustainable building techniques. The Sturm College of Law was the first LEED-certified law school building in the country. 

The presence of students and professors are common place. The University neighborhood businesses support their presence as well as the year-around residents.