Stapleton neighborhood votes to keep name that has a racist legacy

The Stapleton neighborhood will keep its name for the time being despite critics’ arguments it venerates a former Denver mayor who was a member of the Ku Klux Klan.

According to the results of a local referendum to change the northeast Denver neighborhood’s name, which were released Monday afternoon, about 65% of eligible property owners voted against cutting ties with its namesake, former Denver mayor Benjamin Stapleton. The five-term mayor, who served from 1923-31 and 1935-47, was a member of the violent white supremacist group.

About 10,550 residential, commercial and apartment property owners were eligible to vote, according to the neighborhood association, Stapleton Master Community Association. Renters were not allowed the vote. Turnout was an estimated 35%, according to the results.

The referendum did not offer voters the choice of a new name for the community.

Read more: https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2019/08/19/stapleton-kkk-name-vote/