The first subdivision of the  Baker neighborhood  was platted along Santa Fe Dr. south of W. Sixth Ave. in 1872, and residential development took off throughout the district in the 1880s. The part of the neighborhood north of Alameda Ave. was annexed into the city of Denver in 1883. More than 80 percent of the neighborhood was developed by 1900. Much of the neighborhood’s historic housing is being preserved thanks to its historic district designation in 2000.

Baker’s historically has been a major Hispanic enclave including half of its residents. The Hispanic population is now closer to 30% but Baker remains a very diverse community as many Asians and Blacks have moved into the neighborhood.

Baker boasts quality urbanism thanks to great public transit access, a robust biz district along Broadway and other mixed-use areas, and solid bike infrastructure. To be a premier urban district Baker needs better density, more walkable schools and park amenities, and the redevelopment of the suburban power center at its southern edge.

URBAN STRENGTHS:

* Good sidewalk infrastructure but ADA curb cuts are generally dated, especially on residential streets.
* Great public transit access thanks to decent access to the rail lines that run through the district.
* Decent bike infrastructure with a patchwork of bike lanes and lots of bike share options.
* Good diversity all around , esp. racial and economic. Large Native American and Hispanic populations living here.
* Very cute historic homes great historic commercial along Broadway.
* Solid urban infill along Broadway. Large suburban power center in the southern end of the district. Blah industrial along the western edge.
* Great cultural amenities including many restaurants, cafes, bars, & breweries, live music venues, concentrated along Broadway and Santa Fe. Also an indie movie theater and several art galleries here.
*  Good retail amenities albeit often in power centers including a Safeway, Home Depot, Sam’s Club, plenty of boutiques, gift stores, & creative shops along Broadway, a couple book stores, several home goods shops esp. in the Denver Design Center, several gyms and dessert venues, a public library & post office, and several churches.

URBAN WEAKNESSES:

* So  density.
* Some schools in and around Baker but generally not rated well.
* Good # of rentals but on the pricy side. Studios 1-beds lease btwn low 1Ks to mid 2Ks, 2-beds high 1Ks -mid3K. Some 3-beds available generally leasing in the 3Ks.
* For sale properties are also expensive but decent variety and a good # of 1-beds and 2 beds in the district. 1-bed condos/homes selling in the 300KS-550Ks. 2-bed homes range from 400-900K, 2-beds homes/townhouses are on average a bit more expensive. 3 & 4 beds homes sell btwn 550K-and the low Ms.
* Park amenities are limited to a couple small parks. Some good large parks along the Platte River but hard to get to from Baker by foot.
* Urban massing is generally good but some gaps on Broadway on the northern and southern end. Santa Fe and surrounding industrial area is a mixed bag.