A seat for everyone at the Mile Long Table 

On July 26, a single, uninterrupted table will stretch 1 mile across the Auraria Campus, and everyone is invited to pull up a chair. 

Metropolitan State University of Denver, in collaboration with community partner Longer Tables and other University, corporate and civic organizations, is sponsoring the Mile Long Table to gather for a shared meal and a shared experience. The event, which is open to MSU Denver students, employees and alumni as well as all Denverites, is part of a broader effort to build on the Auraria Campus’ role as a vibrant hub of connection and activity beyond the classroom. 

“It’s important that the University invests in events and initiatives that foster community and connect our Roadrunners to civic leaders and neighbors across the city,” said Mike Ramsey, director of External Affairs. “When we show up, break bread and share space, we begin to see each other in a new light, and that strengthens bonds across campus and throughout Denver.  

“MSU Denver has long been an anchor institution in this city. To truly serve our students, we need to stay connected to the heartbeat of the city.” 

Longer Tables, the nonprofit behind the event, has hosted more than 100 shared-meal gatherings in five states since 2013. Its mission is to create places where people feel authentically connected and that they belong. 

“We believe the common table and shared meal hold the explosive potential to rehumanize people, battle loneliness, fight division and empower collaboration,” said Tim Jones, founder and executive director of Longer Tables.

“A connected city is a flourishing city, and the Mile Long Table is a significant representation of Coloradans’ pride and our ability to serve as an inspirational example to set our differences aside and break bread together.” 

Guests will be served a lunch with ingredients that reflect and honor the legacy of the Auraria neighborhood. Ancient grains will pay tribute to the Cheyenne, Arapahoe and Ute tribal nations. Pinto beans will commemorate the Chicano Aurarians who lived in the area for more than a century before being displaced in the 1960s. With over 2 tons of food sourced from local farms and ranches by Serendipity Catering, the menu will celebrate the cultural and agricultural richness of Colorado. 

For MSU Denver, the event is more than symbolic. 

“This is about creating real, tangible opportunities for students, faculty and staff to connect — not just with each other but with the community where they live and work,” said Jacque Williams, senior budget and administration manager of University Communications and Marketing. “It’s about fostering a culture of inclusion that reflects our mission and the vibrancy of our campus.”