Denver Fines Owners of Historic Cathedral High School as Preservationists Push for Action
The former Cathedral High School, a landmark off 19th Avenue and Grant Street built in the 1920s, is now at the center of a preservation battle. After years of ownership changes, the property is currently held by RAFMO, LLC, a New York-based company, and has fallen into severe neglect. Denver has issued a $140,000 fine against the owners, citing deterioration since October 2023, with daily penalties of up to $999 if remediation plans are not in place by Oct. 9.
Once slated to become a boutique hotel, the building has seen rapid decline in just a few short years, sparking concern among neighbors and Cathedral High alumni who fear for its future. Preservation group Historic Denver is advocating for meaningful redevelopment, stressing that the property still has “solid bones” and could be revitalized into a community asset.
City officials have labeled the site a derelict property and require a plan to stabilize and secure it. While past rehabilitation efforts stalled, advocates hope the fines will push the current owners to act. For now, the building’s future remains uncertain, but preservationists insist it deserves more than to be left to decay.
