Civic Center Year In Review
In a year where the need for welcoming and safe public spaces became even more evident, Civic Center Park proved its enduring role as the Heart of Denver, while also serving as the epicenter of social expression in our community. In our latest blog post, we look back on the moments of protest and mourning, of joy and celebration; on the voices expressed, the small businesses supported and the togetherness cultivated...
Social Justice Rally in Civic Center Park
Photo: Hyoung Chang, Denver Post, May 2020
Civic Center Conservancy
Our Mission
In 2004, a group of private citizens concerned about the state of Civic Center Park created the Civic Center Conservancy. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit serves as the official fundraising arm of the park, working closely with the City and County of Denver to ensure the vision of its founders is brought to life through a mission to restore, enhance and activate the space - elevating and sustaining this historic urban oasis as a vibrant and iconic cultural and community hub.
In 2019, Civic Center Park celebrated its Centennial Anniversary. After 100 years of civic gatherings and protests, cultural festivals, concerts, political speeches, community programs and social changes, Civic Center Park remains the heart of Denver, largely due to the work of the Civic Center Conservancy...
The Conservancy's efforts focus around the following four areas: advocacy for park needs and infrastructure improvements; events and programming to activate Civic Center; public awareness and engagement; and fundraising for capital improvements, activities and initiatives to support and revitalize the park.
What is a park conservancy?
Park conservancies are an outgrowth of private citizens wanting to do more for public spaces than government can do on its own. Gaining steam across the U.S. over the past three decades, conservancies of varying sizes and models have been established out of concern for parks that government entities had neither the capacity nor the resources to maintain, program or enhance adequately. Conservancies are private, non-profit, park-benefit organizations that partner with government but raise money independently to invest in parks under action plans mutually agreed upon with their government partners. Key examples include the Central Park Conservancy, the Battery Park Conservancy and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.
Our Small But Mighty Team
Eric Lazzari
Executive Director
Eric Lazzari joined the Civic Center Conservancy in November 2011, bringing extensive event operations and program management experience to his initial role as Director of Programs and Events. Eric was promoted to Director of Strategic Operations in May of 2018 and Executive Director in November of 2019.
He was a member of the Downtown Denver Leadership Program's 2014 class, where he was selected as the winner of the John Parr Leadership Award and elected by his peers as the class trustee.
Prior to joining the Conservancy, Eric served as the Program Operations Manager for USA Swimming in Colorado Springs, developing and managing various programs, clinics and series. He previously served as Director of Special Projects for the Metro Denver Sports Commission, leading event production for the 2008 Frozen Four and coordinating sponsorship development and activation for the CU vs. CSU Rocky Mountain Showdown. He received his bachelor’s degree in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and his MBA from the University of Denver.
Sara Leitch
Development Manager
Sara joined the Civic Center Conservancy in March 2021 as the development manager. Prior to joining Civic Center Conservancy, she worked in individual giving at Prospect Park Alliance and general development at GrowNYC. She brings with her experience engaging people in urban parks through membership programming, events, and philanthropy.
Sara earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Iowa, and her J.D. from the University of Iowa Collage of Law. She resides in Denver with her young family and makes frequent use of Denver’s green spaces.
Donate
While the Civic Center Conservancy is focused on revitalizing a vital public asset, we receive no public funding. Our efforts to restore, enhance, and activate Civic Center Park would not be possible without the support and partnership of generous individuals, companies and foundations.
The Conservancy is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization registered with the IRS; your gift is deductible as a charitable contribution to the full extent of the law.
Our Communications & Marketing Manager Amanda Johnson can help you with any gifting
questions at 303.861.4633.
Donate By Mail
You can print and complete the Donation Form and mail it to us with your check payable to:
Civic Center Conservancy
1410 Grant Street, Suite C205Denver, CO 80203
