The superintendent packaged the consolidation as a larger part of DPS’s efforts to respond to falling enrollment and prevent what he has called “a full-blown crisis.”

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero on Thursday evening announced that the following schools are recommended for closure: Columbian Elementary School Castro Elementary School Schmitt Elementary School International Academy of Denver at Harrington Palmer Elementary School West Middle School Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design The following program changes,

Dr. Alex Marrero said he hopes closing or consolidating the selected schools will allow DPS to address declining enrollment.

If approved by the school board in two weeks, the closures and restructuring will affect 1,844 students and 267 employees.

It was a heavy night for some Denver Public School families, who watched as seven schools across the district were listed for potential closure.

After months of community meetings, Denver Public Schools — the largest school district in Colorado — released the list of schools it plans to close and merge. Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero presented the list at a Board of Education work session Thursday.