Press Release: Purchase of Centennial Hall
Emily Griffith Technical College and Denver Public Schools Close on Purchase of Centennial Hall from Urban Land Conservancy
Building will house student and alumni services, career coaching and services, classes and more
DENVER, October 14, 2026 – The sale of Centennial Hall on the Mosaic Community Campus in Denver by Urban Land Conservancy (ULC) to Emily Griffith Technical College (Emily Griffith) and Denver Public Schools has been finalized, and the building will return to its roots as a college. Centennial Hall will serve as a central location for Emily Griffith students and alumni, bringing together student and alumni services, student career services, instructional spaces and the college’s administration and operations staff.
“We are excited to build on the legacy of Emily Griffith Technical College’s historic mission and the opportunities it will provide to our learners, alumni, staff and the greater community by moving into Centennial Hall,” said Dr. Sarah Heath, president of Emily Griffith Technical College. “Centennial Hall and the Mosaic Community Campus give us a vibrant and historic home to elevate our programs, better serve our students and strengthen our connections to the community.”
In the early 1900s Centennial Hall was home to Colorado Women’s College, which was renamed Temple Buell College in the mid 1960s. While the building has mainly been used for education since it opened, this is a full-circle moment, as the building returns to higher education. The building’s next chapter continues the educational legacy through Emily Griffith’s mission to welcome “all who wish to learn.” This milestone is especially meaningful as the college celebrates its 110th anniversary in 2026.
“Urban Land Conservancy is committed to ensuring the Mosaic Community Campus benefits the Denver community — now and always,” said Aaron Miripol, president and CEO of ULC. “Emily Griffith has a 110-year history in Denver with over a million graduates; for the college to make Centennial Hall its permanent home is a great outcome for Mosaic, campus partners, and the entire community.”
Emily Griffith Technical College will be making some interior adjustments to the building, refining classroom and general gathering spaces, throughout the end of 2026. English Language Acquisition (ELA) classes, some of which have been housed in downtown Denver at the Emily Griffith campus, will be among the first to move to Centennial Hall. This move will free up space in the downtown building to allow for Denver Public Schools to utilize the space in a different way.
Emily Griffith, as part of Denver Public Schools, was approved to purchase the 66,000-square-foot building and land from Urban Land Conservancy for $11 million.
Emily Griffith also occupies Aspen Hall on the Mosaic Community Campus. Aspen Hall is scheduled for renovations in 2027 to better support Emily Griffith’s programs and students. After renovations, Aspen Hall will house Emily Griffith’s nursing programs and Esthetician program. The adult education classes that have been held at Aspen Hall will be temporarily housed at the Main Campus in downtown Denver and will then move to Centennial Hall while construction continues at Aspen Hall. Aspen Hall is expected to re-open in 2028.
ULC will continue to own 16 acres of land and the culinary buildings on the Mosaic Community Campus.
For more information, visit emilygriffith.edu and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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About Emily Griffith Technical College
The mission of Emily Griffith Technical College (Emily Griffith) is to prepare students for today’s workforce and tomorrow’s opportunities. Emily Griffith is the public, postsecondary and adult education arm of the Denver Public School system and serves over 8,500 students through Career and Technical Education (CTE) certificate programs, apprenticeships, high school equivalency and English classes. Over the past 100+ years, the College has educated nearly two million students who have sought pathways toward long-term career advancement. In 2023, Emily Griffith Technical College was recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as an Apprenticeship Ambassador for serving as a champion in promoting, expanding, and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship. For more information, visit our website and follow us on social media.
About Denver Public Schools
Denver Public Schools (DPS) is the public school system in the City and County of Denver, Colorado. Serving more than 90,000 students across over 205 traditional, magnet, charter, and pathways schools, DPS is committed to its vision of “Every Learner Thrives.” With a dedicated staff of over 10,000 full-time employees, the district works to provide equitable, high-quality educational opportunities and academic success for every student in Denver. Learn more at dpsk12.org.
About Urban Land Conservancy
Founded in 2003, Urban Land Conservancy (ULC) is a Denver-based nonprofit real estate organization that acquires, preserves and stewards land to ensure long-term community benefit. ULC uses tools such as community land trusts, land banking, and long-term nonprofit leasing to protect affordability in perpetuity and support affordable housing, schools, nonprofits, and community-serving uses across the Denver metro area. To date, ULC has invested in more than 50 properties, helping prevent displacement and expand access to stable, affordable spaces in neighborhoods facing rising real estate costs. Visit www.urbanlandc.org.
Media Contacts
Jamie Winter
Winter Public Relations