Our Mission
To eliminate inequity by building a stronger local economy with hard working people in disadvantaged Denver neighborhoods.
Our Story in Action
Rooted in Westwood and driven by the people who live and work here, BuCu West turn bold ideas into real solutions. From our beginnings as a merchant association to becoming a trusted community development nonprofit, we’ve helped residents and local businesses thrive in place, even as the city changes around them.
We do it by collaborating, innovating, and investing in what makes our neighborhoods strong: their people, culture, and community.
At BuCu West, we believe communities can grow without losing what makes them special. We support local businesses, celebrate neighborhood culture, and empower community leaders — all while making sure change benefits the local residents.
By listening first and working alongside the community to remove barriers and reduce displacement, we create tangible opportunities. Our work supports community members to recognize the strengths they already possess and providing the skills and resources needed to achieve greater success together. Because when a community leads its own future, everyone rises.
A Legacy of Community-Led Change
BuCu West began in 1987 as the Morrison Road Business Association, formed to confront blight and economic hardship along a struggling stretch of Southwest Denver. What started as an effort to support local businesses has evolved into a city-wide community development corporation, known today as BuCu West.
Now a respected 501(c)(3) nonprofit, BuCu West is driven by a mission to eliminate inequality by building a stronger local economy with hard working people in disadvantaged Denver neighborhoods.
For BuCu West, equity is not just a principle, it's a practice. We believe in sharing resources, amplifying voices, and helping individuals seize opportunities that uplift entire neighborhoods. Every service, every initiative, and every decision is shaped by the people who call Denver home.
Where Passion Meets Purpose
At BuCu West, our work is rooted in deep relationships and lived experience. We’re neighbors, connectors, and advocates. Our work is deeply personal and grounded in relationships built over decades with small business owners, neighborhood residents, and local community.
We show up where it matters most:
Supporting small businesses through every stage of growth
Co-creating public spaces that reflect culture and invite connection
Amplifying community voices in policy decisions that shape Westwood
Centering residents historically marginalized in economic opportunity, housing, health and education
Whether we’re helping a vendor build their first business plan or fighting to keep commercial spaces affordable, our passion is powered by purpose, to ensure the community we serve can stay, grow, and thrive on its own terms.
With every project, program, and partnership, we turn community passion into meaningful progress. Because when people are empowered to lead, their purpose drives lasting change.
Successes
Over nearly four decades, BuCu West has helped lead a visible and lasting transformation across Westwood:
Trained and mobilized Westwood Community Connectors, trusted neighborhood leaders who engage residents, build relationships, and ensure community voices shape local solutions
Supported hundreds of small businesses with personalized consulting, funding access, and strategic growth planning
Converted real estate into opportunity, with affordable commercial spaces and pathways to ownership for local entrepreneurs
Brought visions to life through public art, plazas, and public infrastructure creating local investment in places where residents can gather, celebrate, and connect
Designated the Westwood Creative District, amplifying the neighborhood’s cultural identity and economic potential as the 4th state recognized creative district in Denver.
Building Equality That Lasts
BuCu West’s impact is rooted in three pillars: Education, Ownership and Connection
We build deep trust with residents and business owners, turning conversations into action and providing the knowledge needed to grow and lead.
We work in partnership, never in isolation, amplifying community voices and advocating for systems change grounded in lived experience.
We invest in visible, tangible projects, from small businesses to public spaces, that reflect community priorities and foster long-term stability
Together, these pillars guide BuCu West’s strategic approach to creating lasting, community-led impact—because when the community leads, the future is brighter for everyone.
