Authored by State Senator Francis J. Knauss, the legislature passed a bill that allowed Colorado’s community foundations to accept charitable gifts—enabling The Denver Foundation to exist.
At the forefront of the issues facing the city’s residents during this time was the undeniable political and social influence of the Ku Klux Klan, which manifested in anti-Catholic, anti-Black, and anti-immigrant rhetoric, demonstrations, and even violence in and around Denver. Benjamin F. Stapleton, Denver’s mayor, was a Klan member in the early 1920s, as was Sen. Knauss.
Though Klan connections weren’t uncommon at the time, today we address them with the directness they deserve. We stand against the ideologies and affiliations of the author of this legislation and we remain committed to advancing equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work.
