The GrowHaus serves the north Denver neighborhoods of Globeville and Elyria-Swansea (GES), a historic working-class community established in the 1880s. Together, these neighborhoods have about 10,000 residents that make up the 80216 zip code.

GES is a vibrant and close-knit community with a wealth of cultural activities and active community-based organizations. Nearly 80 percent of the population in Globeville and Elyria-Swansea identifies as Latino and 27 percent of those who live in Elyria-Swansea are non-English speaking. Many families live in multigenerational households, meaning the children, parents, aunts, and grandparents all live under the same roof. This creates strong family ties and relationships between neighbors.

Unfortunately, GES residents face significant challenges to accessing basic needs, including healthy food. A longtime destination for recent immigrants, Elyria-Swansea has one of the lowest household incomes in the city, and low rates of education and employment levels. The neighborhoods also fall into the USDA definition of a food desert, meaning a third of the population has to travel a mile or more to the nearest grocery store. According to a USDA study, 70 percent of low-income people in Elyria-Swansea have low access to healthy food within one mile. Along with a lack of access to healthy food, there is a proliferation of unhealthy food options. In GES, 40 percent of people regularly could not afford to eat a well balanced meal, and 72 percent of residents reported eating fast food options at least three times a week.

In addition, residents of GES are at a higher risk of health issues compared to the rest of Denver. Adults in GES have elevated rates of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. A study in 2019 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that a child living in Globeville is expected to live 11 years less than a child born in a more affluent neighborhood a few miles away, West Washington Park.

These neighborhoods also have high levels of air, soil, and water pollution. Elyria-­Swansea is part of the Vasquez ­I-­70 Superfund site, an area the EPA identified as contaminated with pollutants and hazardous material. Major sources of air toxic emissions are also present, including two refineries, a coal-fired power plant, and many solvent­-based industries. All of these industrial facilities, as well as emissions from traffic on I­-70, have led this community to be deemed the most polluted zip code in the country.

Despite these challenges, The GrowHaus is committed to working with residents of Globeville and Elyria-Swansea to strengthen our neighborhood. We continue to base our priorities around resident feedback, and are proud to have community members involved in all levels of our organization.