A Brief History of Italians in Denver

The American West is not the obvious part of the world to look for an Italian enclave. The Italian diaspora extends beyond the northeast of America and is embedded throughout the fifty states. During the westward expansion, Italians found their way to the Mile High City in Colorado. While less than 5% of the population is of Italian descent, Denver is a destination in the United States to dig into Italian history and culture.

Italians began to settle in Colorado around 1850 with steady growth each year. By 1922, it was estimated that one in five Colorado residents were Italian American. Early records show the Garbarino brothers from St. Louis were in the first wave of Italians to stay in the area. In 1877, Louis and his brother moved to Boulder, Colorado, roughly 30 miles from Denver. They opened Garbarino Saloon, a notorious Western bar that significantly contributed to the economy of the area. At the time of Louis’s death in 1904, the saloon amassed an impressive collection of wines and whiskey after 30 years of business.

Historically, Italians who traveled west to Colorado in the 1870s were both working and upper-class Italian immigrants. Northern Italians were equipped with more education and professional work experience which led them to become leaders within the Denver area. Some notable immigrants were Peter Albi, who started out as a grocery store owner, then opened the Italian National Bank. Angello Capelli established the first Italian restaurant in Denver, and while the name has changed over the years, the restaurant is still operating today as “My Brother’s Bar.” Capelli is remembered for hosting the first celebration of Italy’s unification at his restaurant. 

The majority of Italian immigrants in Denver came from southern Italy, particularly Naples and Potenza. Most southern Italians were traditionally laborers and worked in agriculture however, they found work due to the infrastructure boom with the construction of new railroads and streetcars throughout Denver. These Italians were known as “Birds of Passage” - those who sent money to their families in Italy or those who saved enough funds to buy a farm or a home.  As Italians achieved success in Denver, they became property owners moving towards North Denver. The Northside became Denver’s Italian enclave earning the title “Little Italy”. 

To help the Italian Catholic community, Father Mariano Lepore, Giacomo di Giacomo, Michael Notary, and John Domenico formed Our Lady of Mount Carmel church in 1891. As one of the patron saints of southern Italy, she was the perfect namesake for the church. In 1898, the church was burnt to the ground under “suspicious circumstances,” and the church community was forced to rebuild. Since its formation, the church has been the centerpiece for Italian Catholics in north Denver and the centerpiece for the feast of San Rocco and the Annunciation.

With such a large influx of Italians from Potenza, Basilicata, the Societa Nativia di Potenza or the Potenza Lodge was established. The lodge was founded in 1899 by Italian immigrants who wanted to help other Italian immigrants assimilate into America while also socializing with their countrymen. The lodge prioritized helping new Italian immigrants find employment and housing. In 1906, the lodge became the organizer of the Feast of St. Rocco in Denver and has continued this tradition.

While the Italian population has changed, it's still possible to find Italian pride in northern Denver. The importance of preserving Italian American culture and history in Denver has shined from the Italian documentation project. The leaders of this initiative collaborated with the Italian American community statewide, aiming to better represent that community in History Colorado’s permanent collection. As an early immigrant group in Colorado, Italians brought their culture, traditions, and skills to Colorado —playing a major role in the businesses that supported a growing population while providing labor needed for the development of the railroad, mining, and agriculture in the place we call home. This project is helping to ensure both the history and the future of Colorado’s Italian American community.