Armenians of Colorado, Inc.

Armenians of Colorado (AOC) has strived to create and maintain a cohesive Armenian community by bringing people together with a common goal. AOC continues to promote a greater understanding and respect toward differences. AOC is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination. 

TESTIMONIALS:

"The Armenians of Colorado, Inc., is an organization that the First Baptist Church of Denver is so proud to know and with which to partner. Our congregation and the Armenian community share a history that dates back over a century. The work of AOC, Inc., inspires people to consider the many ways we can collaborate together for the common good, no matter our religious or cultural backgrounds. AOC, Inc., makes our state of Colorado and even more beautiful place to call home."

Rev. Brian Henderson, DMin
Minister
 minister@rethinkbaptist.org"
 

"This testimony is in support of the application of Armenians of Colorado, Inc. (AOC) for the Colorado Gives Program on behalf of the Denver office of the nation's largest Armenian American grassroots organization (ANCA).

Established in 1979, AOC is Colorado's oldest and largest Armenian organization, dedicated to cultural and educational programs across the state. While Armenians have called Colorado home since the late 19th century, the first large wave of immigrants arrived during and following the WWI-era Armenian Genocide. New waves of Armenian immigrants arrived from other conflict or economically-depressed zones, such as Lebanon and Iran in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as from countries of the former Soviet Union following the latter's 1991 collapse. In recent years, a new wave of immigrants has arrived from the country of Armenia, families that have chosen Colorado home due to economic reasons or recent instability in their home region.

Colorado's Armenian community is growing, and AOC is the only organization working to accommodate the enduring and oftentimes rapidly growing educational and cultural needs of the community. In the past five years, AOC has been offering a critical service through a Saturday Armenian School that allows young children to learn and preserve the Armenian language and culture. Currently, AOC is also assessing needs for bilingual preschool education.

Previously, working in partnership with other key stakeholders, AOC has secured remarkable civic achievements in institutionalizing Armenian history and culture awareness in Colorado, including through the establishment of the Armenian Memorial Garden at the Colorado State Capitol in 1982, which was renovated in 2014-2015 and furnished with our statehouse's newest monument (the intricately-carved Khachkar Memorial to the Victims of All Crimes Against Humanity) unveiled on the 100th anniversary of the commencement of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2015, the establishment of the Sardarapat Armenian Memorial Highway in 2018, as well as the 2020 Holocaust and Genocide Studies state law.

Armenians are one of the quickest growing immigrant communities in the Metro Denver area. As that community's cultural and educational steward, AOC has earned and deserves all the support that it can get to expand its services to the community. Please consider approving this wonderful organization for the Colorado Gives program."

Kindest Regards,

Simon MaghakyanBoard member, ANCA-Colorado

"I have been a member of the Armenians of Colorado since I arrived in the US as a student 24 years ago. The Armenians of Colorado gave me a community and support in a foreign country where I knew absolutely no one. For the past 24 years, the Armenians of Colorado has enabled me to stay connected to my culture and history through variety of events it has organized, including the annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, film screenings, lectures, and the annual picnic. Grateful to have this small piece of my homeland here in Colorado."

K. - Lawyer

"As a parent, I am grateful for the Armenians of Colorado’s Armenian school which allows my children who were born and raised in the US to learn to read and write in the tongue of their ancestors. It educates and inspires the younger generation of Armenians to learn about our culture through various programming throughout the year.  Thank you, AOC!"

Carlo – Armenian School Parent

"The Armenians of Colorado has been instrumental in creating and supporting Armenian expats and second and third-generation Armenians in Colorado since early 80s. Through its annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide activities, speaker presentations, game nights, picnics and Christmas parties it has brought us together, allowing us and now our children to stay close to our Armenian roots, history and culture."

Narek – AOC Board Member