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Photo of the Week: St. Cajetan’s gets a fresh coat of paint

The renovation is part of a rehabilitation plan celebrating the church’s 100th anniversary next year.

An exterior of the newly painted St. Cajetan's in January 2025.

An exterior of the newly painted St. Cajetan's in January 2025. Photo by Polina Saran

An aerial photo from summer of 2023.

An aerial photo of St. Cajetan's from summer of 2023. Photo courtesy of MSU Denver photo archives

Exterior photo of St. Cajetan's

Exterior of St. Cajetan's. Photo courtesy of MSU Denver photo archives

Exterior aerial photo of side of St. Cajetan's

Exterior aerial photo of St. Cajetan's. Photo courtesy of MSU Denver photo archives

St. Cajetan's in the early 2000s.

St. Cajetan's in the early 2000s. Photo courtesy of MSU Denver photo archives

An aerial photo of the Auraria Campus and St. Cajetan's in the late 1960s.

An aerial photo of the Auraria Campus and St. Cajetan's in the late 1960s. Photo courtesy of MSU Denver photo archives

St. Cajetan’s has been a cherished part of the Auraria neighborhood for nearly a century, and now it has a fresh new look to honor its history. The church was recently repainted in vibrant yellow and blue — the updated color scheme pays tribute to the church’s original 1926 facade. 

Originally built to serve Denver’s Hispanic community and provide a gathering place for the Auraria neighborhood, today the building provides a venue for campus and community events. The repainting and stucco restoration are the final phase of a multiyear rehabilitation project funded by the Colorado Historical Fund and the Auraria Campus. The project has also included rehabilitation of the windows and stained glass, construction of a new Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant ramp and repair of the tile roof.  

With its fresh new look, St. Cajetan’s continues to serve as a reminder of the campus’ rich cultural heritage as the church approaches its 100th anniversary in 2026. 

St. Cajetan’s timeline at a glance 

  • 1924: The congregation breaks ground. 
  • 1925: The basement is completed, and funds are raised for the remaining construction. 
  • 1926: Construction is completed and consecrated. 
  • 1940: The St. Cajetan complex expands to include a school, convent, health clinic and credit union. 
  • 1955-65: The building receives a coat of pink paint
  • 1970: The building is designated as a Denver landmark. 
  • 1973: St. Cajetan’s is incorporated into the Auraria Campus. 
  • 1977: The building undergoes renovations to be used as an arts and cultural center. 
  • 1991: A synthetic stucco coating known as elastomeric is applied. 
  • 2014: Exterior storm windows are added. 
  • 2017: Window, door and ADA-ramp rehabilitation project is started.  
  • 2025: St. Cajetan’s Rehabilitation Project to be completed in March. 

For more information, visit the Denver Architecture Foundation and the Auraria Campus Instagram account.