Colorado

Colorado: Gold Rush and the Plains Indians War

In July 1858, the first significant gold find in Colorado was discovered in Cherry Creek (now Denver). Exaggerated accounts of the discovery spread, and the Pike's Peak gold rush began. Thousands of gold seekers set out for Colorado, and mining towns such as Boulder and Central City sprang up seemingly overnight. By 1860, the state's population exceeded 30,000, and still the settlers kept coming, drawn by the motto "Pike's Peak or Bust!" Congress passed an act creating the Territory of Colorado on February 28, 1861.

The 1860s saw the most serious conflicts between Native Americans and white settlers in Colorado's history. To make way for white settlers, the federal government forced Cheyenne and Arapaho off their tribal lands. Left with no alternative, these tribes returned to their nomadic lifestyle. Attacks on towns and travelers were common as the Arapaho and Cheyenne suffered from a government-mandated buffalo extermination program. By depleting their primary source of food, the government hoped to eradicate Native Americans in Colorado.

One of the U.S. government's most infamous acts against Native Americans occurred in November 1864. Accepting the military's invitation to camp near Fort Lyon, in southeastern Colorado Territory, Cheyenne and Arapaho set up winter camp and flew the American flag. However, on November 29, nearly 700 U.S. volunteer cavalry attacked the camp, killing and mutilating at least 165 Native Americans, including women and children, in what came to be known as the Sand Creek Massacre.

The Colorado Territory's boundaries were preserved when, after several unsuccessful attempts, it entered the Union on August 1, 1876, as America's 38th state. Colorado is nicknamed the Centennial State in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Colorado: Economic Trends

Colorado's abundant natural resources have been its economic mainstay since European settlement. The state's silver boom began in the late 1870s, following the discovery of silver in a Leadville mine. Coal mining was another booming industry in the state, and, as with the silver industry, was rife with labor strikes. Mining conditions were deplorable and dangerous, and mining companies exploited their employees. Strikes often led to violence and even fatalities.

In addition to mining, Colorado's economy depended upon agriculture for stability. By the early 1880s, buffalo herds had been replaced by cattle and sheep, and the state was a leading producer of meat. As railroads were built and tunnels blasted through the mountain terrain, Colorado's mountain region was united with its plateaus and prairies, and industry developed. Steel was first produced in the 1880s in Pueblo, and that area evolved into a major producer of metals.

In the 21st century, agriculture and mining continued to play a role in Colorado's economy, along with such industries as telecommunications, manufacturing and aerospace, among other fields. The majority of the state's mineral output is natural gas; the production of petroleum, molybdenum and gravel also contribute to Colorado's economy.

Tourism is another major industry for the Centennial State. A state of vast natural beauty that offers varied opportunities for outdoor recreation, Colorado is a destination for millions of tourists from all over the world. Main attractions include the dramatic sandstone formations known as Garden of the Gods (located in Colorado Springs), Red Rocks Amphitheatre (near Denver) and the state's national parks and ski resorts.

Colorado: Population and Settlement Patterns

By the early 21st century, more than four-fifths of Colorado's population of approximately 4.9 million people lived in urban areas. About one-fifth of the population was Hispanic, primarily Mexican, while African Americans, Asian Americans and Native Americans each represented less than 5 percent of the population.
 
Colorado's regions differ greatly in terms of topography and settlement patterns. The eastern plains comprise almost one-sixth of the state's entire land mass, but the near desert-like conditions make the region one of the least populated. Most Coloradans live in the Front Range counties in the north-central part of the state, which has readily available water as well as a mild climate conducive to outdoor recreation. The Front Range comprises one-third of the state's land area and includes the large metropolitan areas of Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Fort Collins. The U.S. Air Force Academy is in Colorado Springs.

Colorado's mountain and plateau counties cover half of the state's land area but are sparsely populated; some have fewer than two people per square mile. Extreme terrain and weather conditions make certain parts of these counties inhospitable, although the population has been increasing in some mountain valley areas such as Estes Park.