West Colfax Association of Neighbors (We Can)

West Colfax as a place to live has long conjured up images of street crime, traffic and prostitution. The stigma of not being a “good neighborhood”, is hard to overcome, but that is just what a new registered neighborhood organization set out to do in 2010. A dozen or so residence with a vision for change put out a call to the West Colfax neighborhood in January 2010. The first meeting of 62 residents birthed the West Colfax Association of Neighbors, WeCAN. WeCAN sought out other area groups that jumped on board for joint projects; West Colfax Business Improvement District, West Colfax Partnership, Confluence Ministries, LiveWell Denver, Groundwork Denver and Extreme Community Makeover…all fostered cooperation and team work with WeCAN. The Denver Police Department recorded a -19.1% reduction in crime in the West Colfax neighborhood in just one year. Out of 58 neighborhoods city wide, West Colfax ranks sixth in crime reduction. WeCAN boast 175 registered members, a monthly newsletter distributed by volunteers to 1900 homes and a vibrant website, wecandenver.org. The West Colfax neighborhood made a bold stand in 2010, took back their neighborhood and said “Yes, WeCAN be one of Denver’s premier places to live.”