During the time of racial segregation, Lincoln Hills, the only all African-American resort west of the Mississippi River, provided a shelter from the storm.
Born with two strikes against her, Dr. Justina Ford overcame barriers of race and gender to become the first African-American woman to practice medicine in Colorado and delivered over 7,000 babies.
The boom and bust of a homesteading community on Colorado's eastern plains.
While American troops were fighting abroad in World War II, over 7500 Japanese-Americans found themselves interned in the Granada War Relocation Center.
From exotic animals to opposing prohibition, nothing was too extraordinary for the entrepreneur dubbed a master "promoter" and his sophisticated wife. Delve into the affluent life of Colorado Springs' pioneering couple.
Colorado's once industrial capital has long been the battleground for competing countries and interests.
Examine the bloody history of Colorado coal miners' struggle for workers' rights.
Discover the rags-to-riches story of one of Colorado's most pioneering families, both in business and philanthropy.
Colorado's top lawyers and historians unravel the unintended consequences of the state's constitution.
Flying an AT-6 trainer plane in World War II was only the beginning of Grand Junction resident Annabelle Craft Moss's inspirational life.
From the beginning of its settlement, Colorado has demonstrated a legacy of giving and philanthropy.
During the height of the Fur Trade, Bent's Fort was a great western hub of commercial and cultural exchange.
Discover The Ute Nation, the original residents of Colorado and their lasting impact on the state.
Founded in 1864 by Colorado Territorial Governor John Evans, the University of Denver is the oldest institute of higher education in Colorado. From Rufus “Potato” Clark and Henry August Buchtel to Woodstock West and the 2012 Presidential Debate on campus, discover the many colorful characters and milestones that have contributed to the university’s 150-year legacy.
Uncover the secrets of the United States Air Force Academy with a look at the significant events, landmarks and accomplishments over the last 60 years.
Before he was the World Heavyweight Champion and a cultural icon of the 1920s, William Harrison Dempsey spent his youth as a miner, cowboy, and farmhand in the Rocky Mountain region. Robust and powerful, Dempsey demonstrated a talent for fighting, and embarked on a career as professional boxer “Jack” Dempsey, the Manassa Mauler.
The Dustbowl was a dark time for many Coloradans. Between 1862 and 1934 the federal government granted 1.6 million homesteads to Americans under the Homesteading Act of 1862. This episode follows one family who moved west hoping to reap the benefits of the farming boom. Their luck changes as they find themselves in the middle of one of the largest environmental disasters to hit the plains.
In 1951 the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission announced the construction of the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant in Arvada. The facility manufactured the plutonium “trigger” used in every nuclear weapon created in the United States. For the next several decades, Rocky Flats was a major stimulus to the local economy, but also a source of increasing controversy.
750,000 participants from 72 countries convened in Denver in the summer of 1993 for the World Youth Day Conference and a visit from the Pope. Organizers feared the gang activity of the notorious “ Summer of Violence” would scare away visitors, and yet for those five-and-a-half days, all violence ceased. This episode of Colorado Experiences examines this largest gathering in Colorado history.
What happened to the Puebloans of Mesa Verde and Crow Canyon? After settling in Colorado they abandoned their cliff dwellings, leaving behind a variety of archaeological treasures. Historians discuss the possibility that this move might have been due to a drought in the Southwest region. Discover the similarities in conditions and what the disappearance of water might mean for our state today.
Cheyenne Mountain, located south of Colorado Springs, served as the command center for the North American Aerospace Defense Command Center (NORAD) from 1966-2008. The bi-nation defense organization, currently stationed at Peterson Air Force Base, continually adapts to modern-day challenges, while simultaneously protecting the citizens of the United States and Canada.
The Smaldone brothers took control of Denver’s underworld in 1933, after then-crime boss Joe Roma’s body was found riddled with bullets in his home. They specialized in bootlegging, bookmaking, and gambling. To some, they were saints who took care of their community and provided food for poor families; to others, they were ruthless criminals.
What would lead approximately 675 volunteer soldiers to attack a peaceful settlement of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians in southeastern Colorado Territory? On November 29, 1864, Colonel John Chivington led a group to do just that, resulting in the deaths of over one hundred men, women and children. This episode revisits the horrific events and uncovers the history 150 years later.
1968 was a pivotal year in American history: the Vietnam War hit its peak, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated and riots shook the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. At home in Colorado, it marked the birth of the Chicano Movement. These pivotal times brought political activist Corky Gonzalez to the forefront as an early pioneer of equal rights for Mexican Americans.
Without the innovative thinking of Otto Mears, Southwest Colorado may still be a maze of dirt roads and windy passes. He was one of many Jewish Coloradans who left a mark on the state. From the philanthropists behind National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives, to the father of Denver theater, discover the achievements and advancements made by Colorado’s Jewish population.
In 1891, a lack of timber fuel threatened mining operations in Telluride. Cue L.L. Nunn. This Colorado pioneer financed Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant, the first in the world to generate alternating current electric power for industrial application. Thanks to this, Telluride’s Gold King Mine remained open and hydroelectric plants soon popped up across the United States and the world.
Explore the booming 1866 town on the Eastern Plains and the colorful characters who lived there until tragedy struck in the 1880s.
From opium “Joss Houses” and Lydia E. Pinkham’s Tonic to the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act, discover the early addictions of the west.
As El Paso County’s first sheriff, Rankin Scott Kelly helped pursue the Espinosa Brothers and found himself in numerous shootouts with notorious outlaws.
From rodeos and parades to auctions and cowboy art, discover the globally known event that has occurred annually since 1906.
From Mary Cawker to Millie Booth, meet the pioneering women whose hard work and vision brought the oldest house in Denver to life.
Meet the controversial Mayor whose “City Beautiful” vision built Denver’s Civic Center Park and parkway system in the late 1890s.
Examine the lasting impact of the cultural, artistic and architectural contributions of “Colorado’s First Town.”
Discover the glamorous Hollywood-style movie theatres that served as social hubs from 1910 to the 1950s.
Marvel at Colorado’s most famous tunnel, the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel, and discover the tragedies it has seen.
Step inside the historic 1906 building, investigate the wild robbery of 1922 and discover the secrets behind the Denver Mint.
High altitude, groceries delivered by mule train, pack rats and spoiled Thanksgiving turkeys are just a few of the challenges faced by ladies living in Colorado's remote mining towns at the end of the 19th Century. Learn the stories of three inspirational women who held their own while surrounded by a harsh landscape and un-lady-like company.
In 1859, two surveyors stumbled upon the Garden. One gentleman remarked this spot, surrounded by towering red geological features would be a "capital place for a beer garden," to which his companion replied "Beer garden! Why this is a place fit for the gods to assemble!" With a 3000 year history stemming from Native Americans to thrill seekers, discover one of the world's most celebrated parks.
"For all who wish to learn," are the words by which Emily Griffith lived her life. Influenced at a young age by her uncle, Griffith set off to offer a free education to all regardless of age, ethnicity or social stature. Meet the woman whose lasting legacy in education lives on today, even as her murder remains a mystery.
In March, 1931, a winter blizzard took the lives of five children who were stranded inside a school bus in southeastern Colorado. Learn of the events that unfolded over 33 fateful hours, and how the story remains a vivid one today.
2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the most deadly natural disaster in Colorado's history. The combination of a state and national holiday, a downed weather warning station, and a torrential stationary rainstorm, left 144 people dead and even more wounded. Explore the conditions that lead to this traumatic disaster, and hear powerful stories from several survivors.
The history of Colorado mirrors the history of agriculture. Meet three families who continue to work the land their ancestors first tilled over one hundred years ago.
The courthouses across Colorado are much more than judicial landmarks, their placement represents power and land status. In some cases, such as the Bent County Courthouse the location of this Victorian structure solidified the county seat in Las Animas instead of nearby Boggsville. From Ouray County’s solid brick design, to Hinsdale County's frame structure, discover Colorado's courthouses.
In the early 1960s, Denver’s Larimer Square was known for its homeless population and abandoned buildings. When Denver’s Urban Renewal Authority publicized its plans to raze the area in an effort to modernizing the city, preservationist Dana Crawford interceded and launched her own plan to preserve the historic buildings dating back to the 1860s. Crawford’s efforts helped to revitalize Larimer Square, leading to the thriving hub of commerce and community it is today. But her influence did not stop there, over 50 years later her legacy can be seen throughout Denver from modern lofts to the historic Union Station. Meet one of the country’s most influential preservationist.
This episode was submitted by Rick Wallner and the 7th Graders of Century Middle School. Once a tropical landscape inhabited by Dinosaurs, Colorado has a fascinating history of paleontology. Discover the “Bone Wars” of the late 1800s and the major fossil finds across Colorado.
Marvel at the Hotel’s elegant quarters, whet your palette with the elaborate menu (oysters included, and not of the Rocky Mountain variety!) and meet the wealthy businessmen, railroad tycoons and adventure-seekers who found themselves in the Wild West’s lap of luxury.
From the Grand Dragon to known KKK appointees in the police, mayor and governor offices, Colorado once had the 2nd largest Ku Klux Klan membership in the United States. Discover the sordid history of the KKK in Colorado and the impact they had on Catholics, Jews and African Americans in early 1920s, and the courageous individuals who fought against their establishment.
During Colorado’s Gold Rush days, newspaper headlines revealed passionate letters and secret elopements between same-sex couples. Nearly two centuries later, the city of Denver hosts one of the largest PrideFest in America, yet the state continues to struggle for equality.
Known today as the oldest continuously-operated performing arts school and camp in the nation, Perry-Mansfield boasts alumni from Jose Limon, a pioneer of modern dance, to actors including Julie Harris and Dustin Hoffman.
On November 7, 1893, Colorado became the first state in the nation to grant women’s suffrage by a single issue popular vote, and the following year the first three female state legislators were elected. Meet the dedicated Colorado women that led this charge. Today, Colorado has the highest percentage of women in the state legislature.
Widely known for inspiring Stephen King’s 1977 novel, The Shining, The Stanley Hotel’s legacy goes beyond a history of paranormal activity. When Freelan Oscar Stanley arrived in Estes Park in 1903, he was not looking for a Hotel location, but instead the climate cure for his bout with Tuberculosis. After recovering, Stanley – of Stanley Steamer fame among others—decided to open a Hotel.
Twenty years after the Gold Rush, the Colorado Silver Boom occurred in 1879 causing hordes of silver seekers to rush the Rockies. Horace Tabor, known as “The Bonanza King of Leadville,” joined the crowds and landed in the Centennial state becoming one of the richest silver barons in history. His story, though, took numerous unexpected turns as he left his wife, Augusta, for the younger and more be
As an early city on the Santa Fe Trail, Trinidad played host to numerous Spanish and Mexican traders before Colorado was even a territory. Since its incorporation in the 1860s, Trinidad has continued to attract a diverse population, first as a coal-mining city of immigrants, and later as the “Sex Change Capitol of the World.” The echo of past people and events lies within Trinidad’s rich architect
The famous Oscar Wilde quote “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life” holds little truth in Colorado. With magnificent landscapes located across the state, artists and pioneers could not help but replicate the sights before them. From the documentary art of early expeditions, to the celebratory art of the iconic bronco busting cowboy, discover the backstory of 250 years of American Art.
After earning her physician's license in 1897, Anderson struggled to find work in Denver where people "didn't believe in women doctors." She did not let this stop her love of medicine, and moved to Fraser where she cured lumberjacks, tended to miners' injuries and even cared for animals. Meet the tenacious treasure of Fraser, one of the first to practice medicine in the state of Colorado
America's explosive successes in peace and war were fueled by the radioactive wealth from the Colorado Plateau. The mineral carnotite was a "Pandora's rock" of scientific, medical, industrial and military power for 20th Century America. Even though the mining and refining of uranium ore in Western Colorado has mostly ceased its remaining trace elements still radiate from Uravan and Grand Junction.
According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, Colorado "has more than 1,000 ghost towns, over 600 of which have some sort of remains." Visit St. Elmo, Animas Forks, and Ashcroft, three of the best-preserved ghost towns in the state, and meet the spirits of Colorado's mining past.
Evidence of prehistoric mammals and early humans have been discovered across Colorado. Lamb Spring in Douglas County is home to the largest collection of Colombian mammoth bones in the state, offering archaeological insight into these prehistoric dwellers. The discoveries of Lindenmeier near Ft. Collins and Mountaineer in Gunnison reveal much about the people who lived here over 10,000 years ago.
Take a ride on the Galloping Goose, seven operational railcars that ran through the rugged San Juan mountains from 1931 to 1952. Carrying cargo, mail, and passengers, these "motors" connected Dolores, Telluride, and Ridgeway with many locations along the Rio Grand Southern Railroad. Discover their mechanical and weather-related adventures and why they attract visitors from around the world.
Join us on a wild ride as we discover some of Colorado’s oldest amusement parks. Elitch Gardens, Denver’s most popular park, opened in 1890 and operated as Denver’s first botanic garden, zoo, and motion picture theater. Across town, Lakeside Amusement Park wowed with its Art Deco décor.
Explore Colorado's history of Aviation and meet the inspiring individuals who have shaped an industry
Located near Great Sand Dunes national park, the Trujillo Homestead and The Medano Zapta Ranch have a history dating back to Paleo Indians, with early Spanish explorers, New Mexican sheep herders and cattle ranchers settling the area in the 1800s. Today, these National Historic Landmarks provide a window to the past and a sanctuary for many wetland birds, rare plants and insects, cattle and bison.
Colorado and the west are where American mountain biking began. From the Denver Athletic Club's Pikes Peak summit on bicycles in 1891, to Buffalo Soldiers' riding to Yellowstone in 1897, mountain biking has long had a place in Colorado. With its modern debut in 1978, Crested Butte has led the state in creating single track and inspiring other towns to cater to this now Olympic sport.
The 1910's marked the early years of tourism to Colorado's front range and quickly, promoters presented the surrounding mountains as magnificent park attractions. Today, forty-six public parks make up the Denver Mountain Parks system. Meet those who had the foresight to preserve these epic spaces and understand why it is vital to preserve them for Coloradans and tourists alike.
Discover how lodging has changed with transportation throughout Colorado. From stage coaches and railroads, to the autobus and eventually cars, tourists have increasingly flocked to Colorado's mountains. Venture to Grand Lake and Steamboat to discover the history behind some of the favorite places to stay while making a mountain escape.
After discovering sugar beets on a trip to Europe, Charles Boettcher brought seeds to Colorado and found that the plains were the perfect environment for sugar beets. This new crop would prove to be one of the most important in Colorado's agricultural history; and would also attract a diverse array of workers from Mexican nationals to European immigrants and even WWII German Prisoners of War.
Encouraged by civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s, the Disability Rights Movement gained momentum in Denver when 19 people living with disabilities blocked a bus in protest. This action was one of several that led to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Meet the brave individuals who dared to change the status quo and discover how this one act led to years of advocacy in the state of Colorado and inspired the nation.
Quench your curiosity and learn how thirsty miners started a “liquid gold rush” that began Colorado’s journey to become the “Beer State.”
Discover the boarding house phenomenon that provided a home away from home for one third of Americans and challenged social and cultural conventions.
Paddle through the buoyant history of FIBArk, the United States’ oldest and longest whitewater festival, and discover the adventurous evolution of whitewater sports and how they fortified a small town in central Colorado.
Meet the inspiring Fannie Mae Duncan, an African American nightclub owner who brought the motto “Everybody Welcome” to true meaning at her Colorado Springs Cotton Club despite the volatile Civil Rights Movement of her day.
Ride into the “bloody grass” battlefields of the Old West’s longest feud over grazing and water rights and witness the gunfights, court cases, and massacres that gave rise to the classic American contest of cowboy versus sheepman.
Wander through the extravagant halls of the 1897 Redstone Castle and meet the creator that forged an empire atop the remote and rugged Rocky Mountains.
Get captured by Colorado incarcerations from 19th century, one-room “drunk tanks” to today’s “Prison Valley” and discover how these historic jails and penitentiaries evolved with the changing criminal times.
Discover the rare and fragile “wickiup” shelters that reveal the ways the Ute people lived and traveled across Colorado from prehistory to the present day.
Check in to Denver’s longest operating hotel and discover why everyone, from Teddy Roosevelt to The Beatles, has been drawn to this “Oasis of Elegance.”
Witness dog and handler versus sheep in the small town of Meeker, where the rugged terrain has challenged the world’s top sheepdogs for over thirty years.
Unearth the resilient story of the Denver Botanic Gardens, a once struggling attraction that persevered through grassroots efforts to become an architectural, educational, and scientific pioneering institution.
Discover the birth and development of Denver through the story of its oldest neighborhood: from Gold Rush to Urban Renewal and from preservation battle to thriving campus, one neighborhood’s story tells the tale of a century.
High school dropout, artist, Olympic athlete, Senator—discover all the identities one of America’s most interesting leaders has adopted on his rags-to-riches journey – and why the most important name was the one he was given as an adult: Nighthorse.
Magic Mountain has been renowned for its abundance of historic treasures ever since miners first looted it in the late 19th century. For decades now, scientists have attempted to uncover the ancient stories of Colorado at this fascinating site that reveals human history in layers of time. Researchers have now invited their neighbors to dig into this place, too. From looting to citizen science!
In so many ways, the story of Colorado is the story of mining. And Creede stands as one of the last mining towns of its kind. So many mines and their legacies were abandoned over the years – and nearly lost forever. But a handful of heroes have staked a claim on history by preserving these sites. From mining boom towns to ghost towns – it’s all here.
Enter the fascinating history of Colorado Springs’ founding estate. How did a refined English Tudor-style castle come to exist in the vast, unsettled West? Created by railroad tycoon and Civil War General William Jackson Palmer, Glen Eyrie Castle is adjacent to Garden of the Gods and the iconic views of Pikes Peak. Brand new archeological findings reveal intriguing details of castle life!
Discover one of the oldest downhill ski “resorts” in Colorado, celebrating 80 years in the 2019-2020 winter season! Monarch has been giving families, thrill seekers and mountain lovers a place to play since 1939. See this small resort’s big part in making Colorado a global destination for downhill skiers and a multibillion-dollar industry.
As the New York Stock Exchange grew, powerbrokers turned westward to develop the next financial empire. But to attract investors, Denver had to become more than a rag-tag western town. Despite enduring floods, fires, war and financial disaster, Denverites found a way to survive and compete. The resurgent new city built a financial district that propelled it to become the Wall Street of the West.
Humans have had a relationship with forests for eons. But today, Colorado’s forests are changing, potentially altering this intrinsic connection. Follow scientists and historians as they work to understand this transformation. Decipher tree rings, analyze aerial imagery, and learn of Colorado’s long history to unroot the causes and consequences of Colorado’s changing forests.
Colorado’s pioneering spirit is alive and well at the Hutchinson Homestead and Learning Center, just outside of Salida. Cattle ranching since before statehood, the seventh generation Hutchinson family still ranches on the same land. Their preserved 1873 two-story homestead and 9 outbuildings are a testament to both the family’s fortitude and high country ranching.
Temple Hoyne Buell is renowned for creating the Cherry Creek Shopping Center--the first mall of its kind. Beyond that, he designed over 300 buildings throughout the state and established the non-profit Buell Foundation to give Colorado’s children the chance to fulfill their potential. This visionary architect and philanthropist’s legacy continues beyond his trademark cape and handlebar moustache.
Ever since Western settlers dreamed of deserts in bloom, men have chased the mirage of more water than these arid lands can provide. “Whiskey is for drinking and water is for fighting” describes the urgent struggle every generation of Coloradans faces to control this fleeting resource -- creating hydrodynamic history through structures that can propel water to run uphill toward money, and power.
Descend into the magical Fairy Caves – dubbed “The 8th Wonder of the World.” Hidden inside Glenwood Spring’s Iron Mountain, this living cave network inspires awe. But the caverns were nearly lost to time and were closed for over 80 years – until an engineer who happened to be a caver had a vision of how to return the magic to this fantastical place.
A printing press in the Old West was considered to be a “civilizer.” So when the newspaper in the tiny town of Mancos imported a high-end printer from back East in 1911, it was the beginning of a real community. 100 years after the Cranston Press first hit Mancos, a wild twist of fate led to its re-discovery and restoration. Now this incredibly rare press is back – creating a new community.
Starting as a small horse exhibition in 1869, the Colorado State Fair has become the largest summer event in Colorado. How did the small fort town of Pueblo become the fun capital of Colorado summers? From livestock to peach pie contests. From big-name entertainment to little kids’ 4H. Go behind the scenes to see how the Fair really runs. It’s more fun than you can poke a corn dog at!
The Strater Hotel has hosted Durango visitors for over a century. With its eye-catching brickwork and white sandstone decorating the exterior and it's collection of American Victorian-era furniture, guests today can experience its long history. Discover the many stories the extravagant halls of the southwestern hotel tell.
Built high in the Rockies, Camp Hale was the training grounds for the famed 10th Mountain Division in WWII. Their brave service is honored at what remains from Camp Hale. The site remains significant not only for preservation but for conservation and recreation. As veterans visit this hallowed site, we are reminded of the many legacies created by the men who trained at Camp Hale.
Charles Deaton, a true Colorado renaissance man, combined sculpture, architecture and engineering into his buildings. Deaton’s structures, like The Sculptured House and The Key Savings Building, have become Colorado icons. Rectangular buildings were the norm, but Deaton was obsessed with curves. Deaton was famously quoted as saying: “People aren’t angular, why should they live in rectangles?”
The “purple mountain’s majesty” of Tava—otherwise known as Pikes Peak—has long beckoned myriad imaginations to Colorado Springs. A cultural crossroads, the area drew tribes, traders, explorers, and settlers lured by both climate and scenic wonder. On its 150th birthday, Colorado Springs reflects its many seekers through historic spaces both preserved and lost.
Born into slavery, Barney Ford escaped at 26 and endured racism, fires, and mining claim jumping to become one of only 46 African Americans in the Colorado Territory. Undeterred, he became one of the richest men in the state as a miner, barber, restaurateur, and hotel owner—a true entrepreneur—all while fighting endlessly for Black rights.
Like so many other areas across Colorado, Park County experienced intense mining booms—and sudden busts, leaving towns to deteriorate. But through bold innovation, the county’s history would be preserved—by cleverly transplanting 19th century buildings. The South Park City Museum stands as a tangible microcosm of Colorado’s past while modeling a unique approach to preservation.
Starting as a small collection of caged animals in 1896, the Denver Zoo has transformed into a conservation and education-driven institution that is recognized worldwide. Anchored by the transformative 1918 Bear Mountain exhibit, the zoo has developed in design and exhibitry for over a century. Witness a century of the zoo’s evolution in both science and design to become the institution we know today.
Built in 1940 by Japanese Americans, this historic wooden structure served as a place of worship until 2005. Vacant for a decade, preservation efforts, spearheaded by a local architect, brought together business owners, municipalities, architects, developers and elected officials, transforming the Buddhist temple into a 20-tap brewery that is now a beacon for Brighton’s Main Street.
In early June of 1921, Pueblo experienced a devastating flood that destroyed much of the downtown area. The very river that formerly brought life and sustenance to the region now left death and destruction in its wake. A century later the river has been tamed by a dam and a levee, and the Historical Arkansas River Project is the centerpiece of a development effort that is changing the face of a city.
The humble and innovative beginnings of the Cable TV industry in Colorado sparked one of the most important industries in the world. From Bill Daniels and Bob Magness to John Malone, meet the innovative pioneers of the industry, which continues to reinvent itself even today.
Initially fraught with controversy and opposition, the Glenwood Canyon Highway is one of the most scenic highways in the United States. In collaboration with a citizen advisory committee and the use of context sensitive design, the Glenwood Canyon Highway was completed in 1992, and remains an architectural and engineering feat.
It’s been dubbed The Road to Hell, but it’s also called the most beautiful drive in Colorado. The Million Dollar Highway is magnificent, death-defying, and it should have been impossible to build. It nearly was. And at a terrible human cost to the Ute people as well as to the men who blasted, dug and drilled a path through the steepest, hardest, roughest of mountain passes.
Tucked between Aspen and Leadville, the Twin Lakes form the largest glacial waters in Colorado. Surrounded by 13,000-foot peaks, the breathtaking beauty of the two lakes draws a constant stream of visitors. But long before Western settlers and tourists discovered this mining area, the Ute people lived on this land. Many broken treaties later, the Ute were removed. Can this now be reconciled?
The history of our country has always been told from the colonizers’ perspective. One mythology is that horses integrated into Native American cultures after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, but the truth was found hiding in plain sight — in both oral histories and the bones of Native horses. Archaeologists and Native Americans come together to retell the story of the horse.
Denver’s most iconic music venue is roughly 300 million years old. Fashioned by nature, Red Rocks Amphitheatre boasts brilliant acoustics and a storied modern history. Go backstage to discover the true story of the rocks that rock Colorado. And meet Barry Fey, the 1970s-80s concert promoter who was the driving force behind Red Rocks becoming an extraordinary international music venue.
The Santa Fe Trail was a major international trade route in the 1800s. Spanning about 800 miles from Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe, it was a convergence of Native American, settler and Mexican cultures – pivotal in US history. See how this early commercial “highway” changed the lives of the astonishing women who set foot on it. And how these foremothers helped shape the West.
Tens of thousands of Irish miners fleeing famine risked it all for a better life in the mining boom of 1880s Leadville. Their labor was cheap, their lives short, and their bodies often buried in the pauper section of Evergreen Cemetery. Can digging up the past and celebrating the forgotten dead shed light on the immigrant stories of Colorado?
Meet Cleo Parker Robinson, a pioneer for Black excellence. Throughout her 53-year career, Cleo has become a cultural ambassador that has influenced the world of dance, not only in Denver, but across the globe. She has paved the way for many generations of talented dancers to take center stage and has been a true pillar of the Five Points community for over five decades.
Known for its military presence and mega-churches, Colorado Springs has seen a shift in the last decade. Major media outlets have ranked it a top destination for living and visiting. As more people flocked to Colorado Springs, its housing stock dwindled, simultaneously driving prices up and leaving many without a home. The city has responded primarily with an emphasis on law enforcement.
In part II of our series exploring homelessness in Colorado Springs, we examine the city's nonprofit and private sectors. We take a look at the city's largest shelter — Springs Rescue Mission — and how the folks the organization serves respond to its Christian programming. We also investigate barriers to accessing housing and the process of escaping homelessness.
From the beginning of their existence, many American Indian tribes have been deeply connected to the buffalo and used the buffalo as a primary source of food, clothing, tools and spirituality. The way of life for the tribes who called Colorado home changed drastically as settlers targeted American Indians and buffalo in lethal ways. Now, there's work to restore the bison to its homeland.
As the national mammal return to their homelands across the U.S., tribes like the Southern Ute are using their bison herds to feed tribal members. Behind every sacrifice of a buffalo is a cultural learning moment for all who eat bison. At the same time, several groups work to keep this incredible animal thriving into the future.
A historical look at northern Colorado's development in agriculture and how labor conditions for the Hispanic farmworkers led to El Movimiento of the 1960s. The turn of the 20th century brought thousands of immigrants, Chicanos and other Hispanic community members to the area to work in farm fields. In the 1960s, workers in northern Colorado stood up for the rights of Hispano laborers.
Roundup River Ranch Camp gives kids with serious medical diagnoses a chance to enjoy summer camp despite their diagnoses. The camp, in a valley near Gypsum, is complete with a medical facility, dining hall, cabins and, of course, many fun activities. The documentary covers the importance of the camp, the history of the land and follows two campers through their stay.
In north Denver, the 80216 zip code has been named one of the most polluted in the country. From redlining to factories and highways built through the neighborhoods, we learn what led to this unfortunate designation.
In the second part of our documentary on the 80216 zip code, we explore how residents and activists are working in different ways to fight for the future of the neighborhood.
This episode uncovers the history of Dearfield, a once-thriving Black settlement founded during the Great Migration. Situated on the arid plains east of Greeley, Dearfield was more than a community; it was a dream of prosperity and autonomy for Black settlers seeking refuge from the racial tensions of the South. This episode traces the rise and decline of this town and its impact.
This episode dives into the history of the Ute Water Settlement, a landmark water agreement affecting the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute Tribes. Spanning several decades of negotiations, we take an in-depth look at the complex interplay of water rights, tribal sovereignty, and environmental stewardship in the arid West.
This episode reveals the remarkable transformation of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal from a chemical site to a thriving sanctuary for wildlife. The arsenal’s history reflects changing ideals and priorities for Americans throughout the 20th century. Now more than 330 species of animals including bison, bald eagles and black-footed ferrets call the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge home.
In this episode, we delve into the history of the Winter Park Express, a beloved ski train that carves its way from Denver through Colorado’s mountains to the ski slopes. The first riders of the ski train were 100 years ago as Denverites ached for that fresh powder and easy access to it. This episode captures the romance and adventure of a unique rail experience and its legacy.
This episode ventures into the heart of the Colorado Rockies to explore the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), a hub of scientific research and ecological study since 1928. Nestled in the Gothic Valley, this unique laboratory has facilitated groundbreaking research on environmental and biological processes at high altitudes. In this episode, we highlight the impact of this unique lab.
Wolves. Mention the word in Colorado and it likely elicits some sort of response. This special one-hour episode takes a deep look into the relationship between humans and wolves in Colorado. We trace their history from their near eradication in the 1940s to today where the impacts of a controversial and groundbreaking ballot decision are still being felt.
This episode explores the intriguing history of Hartman Castle, located in Gunnison. Constructed in the early 20th century by Alonzo Hartman, this unique structure is a testament to the eclectic and often eccentric architectural movements of the period. The magnificent mansion has also become a local landmark for the town of Gunnison as a passionate group of people work to preserve it.
Save the sweetest episode for last. Nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Grand Valley, Palisade is synonymous with peaches. This episode explores the more than 150 years of peach growing in this unique valley where its conditions make for the perfect sweet peach. Through interviews with local farmers, migrant workers, and community members, we trace the journey of three orchards.
