Arboretum: a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.

The University of Denver is home to the Chester M. Alter Arboretum which is located on the University’s campus. The arboretum was created in 1999 to honor Chester M. Alter as the twelfth chancellor at the University of Denver. Alter contributed many years of service to the University and had expanded the campus from 75 to 125 acres.

There are 2,100 trees that fill the arboretum with over 427 species plus thousands of other woody plants! The Chester M. Alter Arboretum is home to 8 state champions, meaning they are the superstars of their species and tend to be the largest, most rare, and historically significant trees in the state of Colorado. University Park, the neighborhood surrounding the campus is also home to multiple state champion trees.

The arboretum that surrounds the DU campus features a tree walk with over 180 tree destinations throughout the campus. There is no other place in Denver that represents the traditional nature of a canopy of trees for blocks and blocks. With historic, unique architecture and mature trees, the University of Denver is one of the most decorated universities in the country.

Traditional beauty is not only in the campus, but has spread to the surrounding University Park neighborhood. Champion trees line the streets of University Park boasting summer shade and crisp fall colors. Champion species such as the Cedar of Lebanon, the Shantung Maple, and the Horsechestnut are a few of the trees that fill the campus and the streets of University Park.

The significance of the Chester M. Alter Arboretum holds tremendous value to the creation of the apartments at Arboretum— we wanted to create a home that felt secluded yet out there. Arboretum embodies the charm and traditional aspects of University Park and the modern, go-getter energy that fills the neighborhood.

Just as trees grow residents at Arboretum will too.