College View was originally platted in half-acre sites for use as small family farms. Through the post- World War II years the Brentwood and Harvey Park areas to the west developed rapidly, supplying suburban housing demand, while College View remained as a rural community.

The residents of College View, then in Arapahoe County, petitioned for annexation and became part of Denver in 1962. The city began a concerted planning effort in College View in 1965. The area was classed as unstable in the Residential Land Use Plan of 1965 and in the Denver Comprehensive Plan of 1967. In 1968, the area was designated a Model Cities Target Area, and in 1969, it became a focal point for the Denver Urban Renewal Authority. In June of 1970, DURA launched its first-year action program, which included extension of water mains, sanitary sewers, drainage and street design. Subsequent improvements under the DURA plan included street paving north of West Evans Avenue.