Years ago, neighborhoods throughout Colorado were a little more diverse - both culturally and socioeconomically. Now that the state has become a more desirable place to live, diversity in some cities may be at stake.
Fort Collins filmmaker Shari Due’s new documentary, Desplazado (Displaced), looks at the growing issue of gentrification in Colorado.
Desplazado explores the impact that a hot real estate market is having particularly on several historically Hispanic neighborhoods in the heart of Fort Collins. Many longtime homeowners in the TresColonias (Three Colonies) area, near Old Town - which includes Buckingham, Alta Vista and Andersonville neighborhoods - say they’re feeling the heat, and not in a good way.
The film can be seen at select theaters.
Interview Highlights With Shari Due
On How Homeowners In These Neighborhoods Feel
“People were very anxious about the ability to keep their homes and the ability to feel welcome in their neighborhoods and in their community.... Many people felt kind of alienated from Fort Collins with the changes that are happening, even though they’ve been there for generations.”
On The Difficulty Of Living In A ‘Hot’ Real Estate Market
“One woman in the film tells the story of having a real estate agent come to the door with a couple who wants to buy a house and asking, ‘Do you want to sell?' You know, I get real estate brochures from real estate agents but not three or four a day. And I’ve never had anyone come to the house with someone that wants to buy and say, ‘Would you like to sell your house?’ That’s intrusive."
On The Expectations For Gentrification Versus The Realities
“I’ve heard the arguments for gentrification. You know, that crime rates go down and neighborhoods beautify. And so I thought, ‘Why not? These folks will get more for their homes. So they get to have some prosperity.’ But then when I delved into it a little bit deeper, I found out that people who are working class who own homes don’t tend to benefit from gentrification. In fact, if they sell their homes, they have to leave the city. There’s nowhere else they can go.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woLU5CWxRKc
