One of the oldest elementary schools in Denver has started an alumni association. Colfax Elementary School originally opened its door to Denver students in 1887 as a one-room brick building serving the farm families around Sloan Lake. Over the 114 years since Colfax opened, the neighborhood has seen many changes as the "rural" life has disappeared and a city has grown up around the school. It is estimated that some 20,000 students have gone to school at Colfax.

Colfax Elementary School sits on a two-acre site at 1526 Tennyson Street, just off West Colfax Ave. The school is located in a densely populated urban community. The average income for families in the West Colfax neighborhood is approximately $10,000 per year. The school serves many homeless children who reside in shelters and motels in the area.

This past year, Colfax received a "low" rating on the state's accountability reports.

Today, several alumni are coming together to assist the school and keep it healthy for future generations.

"We can not stand by as graduates of Colfax Elementary and let the school disintegrate – it has too much history in Denver," said Steve Farber, 1963 graduate of Colfax Elementary. Other alumni that are working to support the school are Ron Bernstein, Jordan Perlmutter, Irv Brown, and many others.

The alumni association and the school are currently working together to sell bricks for a brick entryway leading to a new playground. The current playground needs updating. Bricks will cost $200 for an individual brick and will be placed at the entry of the playground.

Colfax graduates who would like to assist the school may call 303-623-6148 or visit the website at http://colfax.dpsk12.org/ for information about the plans for playground renovation and brick sale.