Timeline of Colorado history - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

This is a timeline of the history of the State of Colorado and its predecessors.

2000s 1900s 1800s 1700s 1600s 1500s Prehistory

2010s

Year	Date	Event
2011	September 23	Occupy Denver Occupy movement The Occupy movement is an international protest movement which is primarily directed against economic and social inequality. The first Occupy protest to be widely covered was Occupy Wall Street in New York City, taking place on September 17, 2011... begins a protest of growing wealth disparity and the disproportionate power of large corporations and extremely wealthy individuals.
	July 18	Michael Hancock Michael Hancock (Colorado politician) Michael B. Hancock is the 45th and current mayor of Denver, Colorado. He was sworn in on July 18, 2011 after defeating Chris Romer in a runoff election on June 7, 2011. He is Denver's second African-American mayor.-Biography:... assumes office as the forty-fifth Mayor Mayor In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city.... of the City and County of Denver.
	April 1	CenturyLink, Inc. CenturyLink CenturyLink, Inc. is a United States telecommunications firm, headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana. The company, founded as Central Telephone & Electronics Corporation in 1968, later changed its name to Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. in 1971, and then was called CenturyTel, Inc. from 1999 to 2010... completes its $24 billion acquisition of the larger Qwest Communications International, Inc. Qwest Qwest Communications International, Inc. was a large United States telecommunications carrier. Qwest provided local service in 14 western U.S. states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.On April... of Denver.
	January 11	John Hickenlooper John Hickenlooper John Wright Hickenlooper is an American politician and current Governor of Colorado. A Democrat, he was previously the Mayor of Denver, Colorado from 2003 to 2011.-Early life, education and career:... assumes office as the forty-second Governor of the State of Colorado.
2010	November 21	The Colorado Rapids Colorado Rapids The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league... Major League Soccer Major League Soccer Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada... club defeats FC Dallas FC Dallas FC Dallas is an American professional soccer club based in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada... 2-1 to win the championship Major League Soccer Cup MLS Cup The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues... .
2010	April 1	2010 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 5,029,196, an increase of 16.92% since the 2000 United States Census.

2000s

Year	Date	Event
2009	October 15	The balloon boy hoax discombobulates emergency services in northeastern Colorado.
2009	February 27	The Rocky Mountain News Rocky Mountain News The Rocky Mountain News was a daily newspaper published in Denver, Colorado, United States from April 23, 1859, until February 27, 2009. It was owned by the E. W. Scripps Company from 1926 until its closing. As of March 2006, the Monday-Friday circulation was 255,427... , the region's oldest and second highest circulation newspaper, publishes its last edition just 55 days short of its sesquicentennial.
2008	August 28	Senator Barack Obama Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in... accepts the nomination of the Democratic National Convention 2008 Democratic National Convention The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,... in Denver for President of the United States President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... .
2007	July 12	The United States Fish and Wildlife Service United States Fish and Wildlife Service The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats... establishes the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge The Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located approximately 16 miles northwest of Denver, Colorado. The site was previously occupied by the Rocky Flats Plant, a nuclear weapons production facility... .
	April 27	The United States National Park Service establishes the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site is a National Historic Site in Kiowa County, Colorado, near Eads and Chivington in Kiowa County commemorating the Sand Creek Massacre. The site is about southeast of Denver and about east of Pueblo. A few basic park facilities have been opened at this... .
	January 9	Bill Ritter assumes office as the forty-first Governor of the State of Colorado.
2005	January 1	An act of Congress changes the name of Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area to McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area The McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area is a National Conservation Area located in Mesa County, west of Grand Junction, Colorado. The MCNCA has rugged sandstone canyons, natural arches, spires, and alcoves carved into the Colorado Plateau, through which runs a stretch of the Colorado... .
2004	November 2	Colorado native John Kerry John Kerry John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W... is defeated by incumbent George W. Bush George W. Bush George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000.... in the election for President of the United States President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... .
2004	September 13	U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton Gale Norton Gale Ann Norton served as the 48th United States Secretary of the Interior from 2001 to 2006 under President George W. Bush... signs an order elevating the national monument National monument A National monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of national importance such as a war or the country's founding. The term may also refer to a specific monument status, such as a National Heritage Site, which most national monuments are by reason of their cultural... to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve -Other features:The park also contains alpine lakes and tundra, six peaks over 13,000 feet in elevation, ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and wetlands — all habitat for diverse wildlife and plant species.One of the most unusual features of... .
2003	April 8	The United States Fish and Wildlife Service United States Fish and Wildlife Service The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats... establishes the Baca National Wildlife Refuge Baca National Wildlife Refuge The Baca National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located in southern Colorado. It is located on the lands of the Luis Maria Baca Grant No. 4 near Crestone, Colorado in the San Luis Valley in southern Saguache and northern Alamosa counties, about northeast of the town... .
2001	November 15	The State of Colorado creates the City and County of Broomfield Broomfield, Colorado The City and County of Broomfield is a prominent suburb and tier of the Denver metropolitan area in the State of Colorado of the United States. Broomfield has a consolidated city and county government which operates under Article XX, Sections 10-13 of the Constitution of the State of Colorado. The... from portions of Boulder Boulder County, Colorado Boulder County is the sixth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county seat is Boulder. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is the City of Boulder... , Adams Adams County, Colorado Adams County is the fifth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the county population was 441,603 in 2010 census, a 21.4% increase since 2000 census. Adams County is named for Alva Adams, Governor of the... , Jefferson Jefferson County, Colorado Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver.... , and Weld Weld County, Colorado As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile... counties.
	June 9	The Colorado Avalanche Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise... defeat the New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... 4-3 to win the Stanley Cup 2001 Stanley Cup Finals The 2001 Stanley Cup Finals was contested by the Eastern Conference champion and defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils and the Western Conference champion Colorado Avalanche, making the franchise's second Stanley Cup Finals appearance, and first since the team won the 1996 Finals. The... .
	January 1	Denver celebrates the beginning of the Third Millennium with fireworks above the 16th Street Mall 16th Street Mall The 16th Street Mall is a pedestrian and transit mall in Denver, Colorado. The mall, 1.25 miles long, runs along 16th Street in downtown Denver, from Wewatta Street to the intersection of 16th Avenue and Broadway... .
2000	October 24	U.S. President Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation... signs an act of Congress creating the Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area and the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness is located in western Colorado and eastern Utah, USA, within the arid Colorado Plateau region approximately west of Grand Junction, Colorado. The wilderness lies on the northwest flank of the Uncompahgre Plateau... .
	August 21	Xcel Energy Inc. is formed by the merger of New Century Energies, Inc. of Denver into the smaller Northern States Power Company Northern States Power Company Northern States Power Company was a publicly-traded S&P 500 electric and natural gas utility holding company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota that is now a subsidiary of Xcel Energy .-History:... .
	June 30	US West, Inc. US West U S WEST, Inc. was one of seven Regional Bell Operating Companies , created in 1983 under the Modification of Final Judgement , a case related to the antitrust breakup of AT&T... of Denver merges into the smaller Qwest Communications International, Inc. Qwest Qwest Communications International, Inc. was a large United States telecommunications carrier. Qwest provided local service in 14 western U.S. states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.On April... , also of Denver.
	June 9	U.S. President Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation... signs a proclamation creating Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Canyons of the Ancients National Monument Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is located in the southwestern region of the U.S. state of Colorado, and is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, an agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior... .
	April 1	2000 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 4,301,262, an increase of 30.56% since the 1990 United States Census.

1990s

Year	Date	Event
1999	October 21	U.S. President Bill Clinton Bill Clinton William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation... signs an act of Congress elevating the national monument National monument A National monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of national importance such as a war or the country's founding. The term may also refer to a specific monument status, such as a National Heritage Site, which most national monuments are by reason of their cultural... to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park thumb\|upright\|Black Canyon of the GunnisonBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a United States National Park located in western Colorado, and managed by the National Park Service... and creating the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area The Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area is a National Conservation Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management . were designated in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area Act of 1999... .
	April 20	The Columbine High School massacre Columbine High School massacre The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12... : Two high school students open fire on their campus in Jefferson County Jefferson County, Colorado Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver.... killing 12 students and a teacher and wounding 24 others before killing themselves.
	January 31	The Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... defeat the Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII Super Bowl XXXIII Super Bowl XXXIII was an American football game played on January 31, 1999, at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida to decide the National Football League champion, following the 1998 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Denver Broncos defeated the National Football... in Miami, Florida Miami, Florida Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625... .
	January 12	Bill Owens assumes office as the fortieth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1998	January 25	The Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... defeat the Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII Super Bowl XXXII Super Bowl XXXII was an American football game played on January 25, 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1997 regular season... in San Diego, California San Diego, California San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round... .
1997	August 1	New Century Energies, Inc. of Denver is formed by the merger of Southwestern Public Service Company with the larger Public Service Company of Colorado.
1996	June 11	The Colorado Avalanche Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise... defeat the Florida Panthers Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... 4-0 to win the Stanley Cup 1996 Stanley Cup Finals The 1996 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by two teams that had not existed three seasons before, the Colorado Avalanche and the Florida Panthers. The Avalanche won the Cup in a four game sweep to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup, in their first season in Denver since... , becoming the first major league sports team to bring a championship trophy to Colorado.
1995	June 11	Denver International Airport Denver International Airport Denver International Airport , often referred to as DIA, is an airport in Denver, Colorado. By land size, at , it is the largest international airport in the United States, and the third largest international airport in the world after King Fahd International Airport and Montréal-Mirabel... opens replacing Stapleton International Airport Stapleton International Airport Stapleton International Airport was Denver, Colorado's primary airport from 1929 to 1995. At different times it served as a hub for TWA, People Express, Frontier Airlines and Western Airlines as well as a hub for Continental Airlines and United Airlines at the time of its closure.In 1995 Stapleton... .
1992	October 14	Governor Romer dedicates the final section of Interstate Highway 70 through Glenwood Canyon Glenwood Canyon Glenwood Canyon is a rugged scenic canyon on the Colorado River in western Colorado in the United States. Its canyon walls climb as high as above the Colorado River. It is the largest such canyon on the Upper Colorado... .
	October 9	U.S. President George H.W. Bush signs an act of Congress creating the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located adjacent to Commerce City, Colorado, approximately northeast of downtown Denver... .
	May 26	U.S. President George H.W. Bush signs an act of Congress creating the Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge is one of the smallest units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The refuge is located in the City of Arvada, Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. The refuge consists of of land, including of uplands, of wetlands, and 3 small ponds... .
1990	April 1	1990 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 3,294,394, an increase of 13.99% since the 1980 United States Census.

1980s

Year	Date	Event
1987	January 13	Roy Romer assumes office as the thirty-ninth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1985	February 1	Maybell Maybell, Colorado Maybell is an unincorporated town and a U.S. Post Office in Moffat County, Colorado, United States. The Maybell Post Office has the ZIP Code 81640.The lowest temperature ever recorded in the state of Colorado was -61°F at Maybell on February 1, 1985.... records an ambient air temperature of -61 F, setting the all-time state record low temperature.
1984	January 1	US West, Inc. US West U S WEST, Inc. was one of seven Regional Bell Operating Companies , created in 1983 under the Modification of Final Judgement , a case related to the antitrust breakup of AT&T... of Denver is formed by the Bell System divestiture Bell System divestiture The Bell System divestiture, or the breakup of AT&T, was initiated by the filing in 1974 by the U.S. Department of Justice of an antitrust lawsuit against AT&T. The case, United States v... . US West is a holding company with three subsidiary regional Bell operators: Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph (dba Mountain Bell), Northwestern Bell Telephone Company (dba Northwestern Bell Northwestern Bell Northwestern Bell Telephone Company served the states just north of the Southwestern Bell area, including: Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska.- Early beginnings :Northwestern Bell's earliest roots begin in Deadwood, South Dakota... ), and Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company (dba Pacific Northwest Bell Pacific Northwest Bell Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company was an AT&T majority-owned Bell System company that provided local telecommunications services in Oregon, Washington, and northern Idaho. Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company was formed on July 1, 1961 when it was spun off from the Pacific Telephone and... ).
1980	April 1	1980 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 2,889,964, an increase of 30.93% since the 1970 United States Census.

1970s

Year	Date	Event
1979	December 21	Governor Lamm Richard Lamm Richard Douglas "Dick" Lamm is an American politician, Certified Public Accountant, college professor, and lawyer. He served three terms as 38th Governor of Colorado as a Democrat and ran for the Reform Party's nomination for President of the United States in 1996.He is currently the Co-Director... dedicates the Edwin C. Johnson Bore of the Eisenhower–Johnson Memorial Tunnel completing Interstate Highway 70 Interstate 70 Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky... under the Continental Divide Continental Divide The Continental Divide of the Americas, or merely the Continental Gulf of Division or Great Divide, is the name given to the principal, and largely mountainous, hydrological divide of the Americas that separates the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean from those river systems that drain... .
1978	November 10	U.S. President Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office... signs an act of Congress creating the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
1978	October 9	UNESCO UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations... designates Mesa Verde National Park Mesa Verde National Park Mesa Verde National Park is a U.S. National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. It was created in 1906 to protect some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the world... as one of the first 12 World Heritage Site World Heritage Site A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance... s.
1977	June	The United States Olympic Training Center United States Olympic Training Center The United States Olympic Training Centers are three campuses created by the United States Olympic Committee as training facilities for its Olympic and Paralympic athletes. They are located in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Lake Placid, New York; and Chula Vista, California. There is a U.S. Olympic... at Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado... opens.
1976	August 1	A somber State of Colorado observes its centennial as it assesses the damage from the Big Thompson Flood
	July 31	A flash flood in Big Thompson Canyon Big Thompson River The Big Thompson River is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately 78 miles long, in the U.S. state of Colorado.- Course of the river :... kills 143 people just hours before the Colorado State Centennial.
	July 4	Colorado celebrates the United States Bicentennial United States Bicentennial The United States Bicentennial was a series of celebrations and observances during the mid-1970s that paid tribute to the historical events leading up to the creation of the United States as an independent republic... .
1975	August 18	Construction of the second bore of the Eisenhower Tunnel Eisenhower Tunnel The Eisenhower Tunnel, officially the Eisenhower–Johnson Memorial Tunnel, is a dual-bore, four-lane vehicular tunnel approximately west of Denver, Colorado, United States. The tunnel carries Interstate 70 under the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. With a maximum elevation of above sea... begins.
1975	January 14	Dick Lamm Richard Lamm Richard Douglas "Dick" Lamm is an American politician, Certified Public Accountant, college professor, and lawyer. He served three terms as 38th Governor of Colorado as a Democrat and ran for the Reform Party's nomination for President of the United States in 1996.He is currently the Co-Director... assumes office as the thirty-eighth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1973	July 16	Lieutenant Governor Lieutenant Governor of Colorado The lieutenant governor of Colorado is the second-highest-ranking member of the executive department of the Colorado state government, below only the Governor of Colorado. The lieutenant governor, who acts as governor in his absence and succeeds to the governorship in case of vacancy, is elected on... John Vanderhoof John David Vanderhoof John David Vanderhoof served as the 37th Governor of Colorado from 1973-1975 as a Republican. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Colorado under John Arthur Love from 1971 until 1973 when Love was appointed to the National Energy Policy Office by President Richard Nixon... assumes office as the thirty-seventh Governor of the State of Colorado upon the resignation of Governor Love John Arthur Love John Arthur Love was a United States attorney and Republican politician who served as the 36th Governor of the State of Colorado from 1963 to 1973.... to serve as Director of the United States Office of Energy Policy.
1973	March 8	Governor Love John Arthur Love John Arthur Love was a United States attorney and Republican politician who served as the 36th Governor of the State of Colorado from 1963 to 1973.... dedicates the first bore of the Eisenhower Tunnel Eisenhower Tunnel The Eisenhower Tunnel, officially the Eisenhower–Johnson Memorial Tunnel, is a dual-bore, four-lane vehicular tunnel approximately west of Denver, Colorado, United States. The tunnel carries Interstate 70 under the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. With a maximum elevation of above sea... taking Interstate Highway 70 Interstate 70 Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky... under the Continental Divide of the Americas, the highest point on the Interstate Highway System Interstate Highway System The Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America... .
1972	November 15	Denver withdraws its offer to host the 1976 Winter Olympics 1976 Winter Olympics The 1976 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated February 4–15, 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria... , the first and only host city to reject an awarded Olympic Games.
1972	November 7	Colorado voters reject a $5 million bond issue to fund the 1976 Winter Olympics 1976 Winter Olympics The 1976 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated February 4–15, 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria... .
1970	April 1	1970 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 2,207,259, an increase of 25.85% since the 1960 United States Census.

1960s

Year	Date	Event
1969	August 20	U.S. President Richard Nixon Richard Nixon Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... signs an act of Congress creating Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a United States National Monument in Teller County, Colorado, that is noted for its fossils. It is located in a mountain valley just west of Pikes Peak and holds spectacular remnants of prehistoric life... .
1969	May 12	The International Olympic Committee International Olympic Committee The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president... selects Denver to host the XII Olympic Winter Games 1976 Winter Olympics The 1976 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated February 4–15, 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria... in 1976.
1968	March 15	Construction begins on the first bore of the Straight Creek Tunnel Eisenhower Tunnel The Eisenhower Tunnel, officially the Eisenhower–Johnson Memorial Tunnel, is a dual-bore, four-lane vehicular tunnel approximately west of Denver, Colorado, United States. The tunnel carries Interstate 70 under the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. With a maximum elevation of above sea... designed to route interstate highway I-70 under the Continental Divide Continental Divide The Continental Divide of the Americas, or merely the Continental Gulf of Division or Great Divide, is the name given to the principal, and largely mountainous, hydrological divide of the Americas that separates the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean from those river systems that drain... .
1967	September 5	The United States Fish and Wildlife Service United States Fish and Wildlife Service The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats... establishes the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge The Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located in north central Colorado. The refuge is located in North Park in central Jackson County south of the town of Walden. The refuge was established in 1967 to furnish waterfowl with a suitable place to nest and... .
1965	July 25	The United States Fish and Wildlife Service United States Fish and Wildlife Service The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats... establishes the Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge is a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge located in northwestern Colorado. It is located in Moffat County in the extreme northwestern corner of the state, in an isolated mountain valley of Browns Park on both sides of the Green River, approximately below Flaming... .
1965	June 16	A flash flood Flash flood A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields... on the South Platte River South Platte River The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American Midwest and the American Southwest/Mountain West, located in the U.S. states of Colorado and Nebraska... kills 28 people and inflicts over $500 million in damage.
1963	July 25	The United States Fish and Wildlife Service United States Fish and Wildlife Service The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats... establishes the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge The Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge is an United States National Wildlife Refuge located in southern Colorado. The site is located in the San Luis Valley along the east side of the Rio Grande approximately southeast of Alamosa primarily in southeastern Alamosa County, although very small parts... .
1963	January 8	John Love John Arthur Love John Arthur Love was a United States attorney and Republican politician who served as the 36th Governor of the State of Colorado from 1963 to 1973.... assumes office as the thirty-sixth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1960	June 23	U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower signs an order creating Comanche National Grassland Comanche National Grassland Comanche National Grassland is a National Grassland located in southeastern Colorado, United States. It is the sister grassland of Cimarron National Grassland and contains both prairie grasslands and canyons. It is separated into two sections, each operated by a local ranger district, one of which... and Pawnee National Grassland Pawnee National Grassland Pawnee National Grassland is a United States National Grassland located in northeastern Colorado on the Colorado Eastern Plains. The grassland is located in the South Platte River basin in remote northern and extreme northeastern Weld County between Greeley and Sterling... .
	June 3	U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower signs a proclamation creating Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site Bent's Old Fort is an 1833 fort located in Otero County in southeastern Colorado, USA. William and Charles Bent, along with Ceran St. Vrain, built the fort to trade with Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Plains Indians and trappers for buffalo robes... .
	April 1	1960 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 1,753,947, an increase of 32.36% since the 1950 United States Census.

1950s

Year	Date	Event
1959	June 3	The first class of the United States Air Force Academy United States Air Force Academy The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States... graduates.
1957	January 8	Steve McNichols Stephen L.R. McNichols Stephen Lucid Robert McNichols was Colorado's 35th Governor from 1957 to 1963. McNichols' father William H. McNichols, Denver's well-respected auditor for over thirty years, was influential in steering his two sons Bill and Stephen toward their success in state politics... assumes office as the thirty-fifth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1955	September 24	U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower suffers an acute myocardial infarction in Denver. The President is treated at Fitzsimons Army Hospital Fitzsimons Army Medical Center The Fitzsimons Army Medical Center was a medical facility of the United States military during the 20th century located on in Aurora, Colorado... in Aurora Aurora, Colorado City of Aurora is a Home Rule Municipality spanning Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties in Colorado. Aurora is an eastern suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area . The city is the third most populous city in the Colorado and the 56th most populous city in the... for several weeks.
	July 11	The first class of 306 cadets of the United States Air Force Academy United States Air Force Academy The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States... are sworn in at Lowry Air Force Base Lowry Air Force Base Lowry Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base located in the cities of Aurora and Denver, Colorado. Its primary mission throughout its existence was Air Force technical training and was heavily involved with the training of United States Army Air Forces bomber crews during World... in Denver.
	January 11	Ed Johnson Edwin C. Johnson Edwin Carl Johnson was a Democratic Party politician who served as Governor of the state of Colorado.-Background:... assumes office again as the thirty-fourth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1954	June 24	The United States Air Force United States Air Force The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of... selects an area north of Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado... as the site for the United States Air Force Academy United States Air Force Academy The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States... .
1952	September 3	The United States Fish and Wildlife Service United States Fish and Wildlife Service The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats... establishes the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a United States National Wildlife Refuge located in southern Colorado. The refuge is located in the San Luis Valley approximately 10 miles west of the town of Alamosa in southeastern Rio Grande and western Alamosa counties, in the watershed of the Rio Grande... .
1951	January 9	Dan Thornton Daniel I.J. Thornton Daniel I.J. Thornton was a United States cattle breeder and Republican politician who served as the 33rd Governor of the State of Colorado from 1951 to 1955.... assumes office as the thirty-third Governor of the State of Colorado.
1950	April 15	Lieutenant Governor Lieutenant Governor of Colorado The lieutenant governor of Colorado is the second-highest-ranking member of the executive department of the Colorado state government, below only the Governor of Colorado. The lieutenant governor, who acts as governor in his absence and succeeds to the governorship in case of vacancy, is elected on... Walter Johnson Walter Walford Johnson Walter Walford Johnson was a United States businessman and Democratic politician who served as the 32nd Governor of the State of Colorado from 1950 to 1951.... assumes office as the thirty-second Governor of the State of Colorado upon the resignation of Governor Knous William Lee Knous William Lee Knous was a Colorado Democratic state legislator, state Supreme Court justice and the 31st Governor of Colorado, and a U.S. district judge.... to serve as a federal judge.
1950	April 1	1950 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 1,325,089, an increase of 17.96% since the 1940 United States Census.

1940s

Year	Date	Event
1947	January 14	William Lee Knous William Lee Knous William Lee Knous was a Colorado Democratic state legislator, state Supreme Court justice and the 31st Governor of Colorado, and a U.S. district judge.... assumes office as the thirty-first Governor of the State of Colorado.
1943	January 12	John Charles Vivian John Charles Vivian John Charles Vivian was a United States attorney, journalist, and Republican politician who served as the 30th Governor of the State of Colorado from 1943 to 1947. He was the first Lt. Governor of Colorado to be elected Governor.John Charles Vivian was born in Golden, Colorado, on June 30, 1889... assumes office as the thirtieth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1942	July 10	Governor Governor of Colorado The Governor of Colorado is the head of the executive branch of Colorado's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Colorado General Assembly, to convene the... Ralph Carr Ralph Lawrence Carr Ralph Lawrence Carr was the 29th Governor of Colorado from 1939 to 1943. Born in Rosita in Custer County, he grew up in Cripple Creek in Teller County and graduated from Cripple Creek High School in 1905. A Republican, Carr was committed to fiscal restraint in state government and opposed the... welcomes Japanese-Americans Japanese American internment Japanese-American internment was the relocation and internment by the United States government in 1942 of approximately 110,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese who lived along the Pacific coast of the United States to camps called "War Relocation Camps," in the wake of Imperial Japan's attack on... to Colorado despite the war with Japan World War II World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... .
1941	December 11	The Greater German Empire and the Kingdom of Italy Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946) The Kingdom of Italy was a state forged in 1861 by the unification of Italy under the influence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which was its legal predecessor state... declare war on the United States.
1941	December 8	The Empire of Japan Empire of Japan The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of... declares war on the United States following its Attack on Pearl Harbor Attack on Pearl Harbor The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941... .
1940	April 1	1940 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 1,123,296, an increase of 8.45% since the 1930 United States Census.

1930s

Year	Date	Event
1939	January 10	Ralph Carr Ralph Lawrence Carr Ralph Lawrence Carr was the 29th Governor of Colorado from 1939 to 1943. Born in Rosita in Custer County, he grew up in Cripple Creek in Teller County and graduated from Cripple Creek High School in 1905. A Republican, Carr was committed to fiscal restraint in state government and opposed the... assumes office as the twenty-ninth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1938	December 2	U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt signs an order creating the Colorado State Forest.
1937	January 12	Teller Ammons Teller Ammons Teller Ammons was the 28th Governor of Colorado from 1937 to 1939.Ammons was the son of Colorado Governor Elias M. Ammons, and was named for his father's friend, U.S. Senator Henry Moore Teller... assumes office as the twenty-eighth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1937	January 1	Lieutenant Governor Lieutenant Governor of Colorado The lieutenant governor of Colorado is the second-highest-ranking member of the executive department of the Colorado state government, below only the Governor of Colorado. The lieutenant governor, who acts as governor in his absence and succeeds to the governorship in case of vacancy, is elected on... Ray Herbert Talbot Ray Herbert Talbot Raymond Herbert Talbot was a Colorado politician who served as the 27th Governor of Colorado for ten days in 1937.... assumes office as the twenty-seventh Governor of the State of Colorado upon the resignation of Governor Johnson Edwin C. Johnson Edwin Carl Johnson was a Democratic Party politician who served as Governor of the state of Colorado.-Background:... to serve in the United States Senate United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each... .
1934	May 17	The Dotsero Cutoff between the Denver and Salt Lake Railway Denver and Salt Lake Railway The Denver, Northwestern and Pacific Railway was a U.S. railroad company incorporated on July 18, 1902, by David H. Moffat, Walter S. Cheesman, William Gray Evans, Charles J. Hughes, Jr., George E. Ross-Lewin, S.M. Perry and Frank P. Gibson... and the mainline of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad , often shortened to Rio Grande or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, is a defunct U.S. railroad company. The railroad started as a narrow gauge line running south from Denver, Colorado in 1870; however, served mainly as a transcontinental... is completed, cutting the rail distance between Denver and Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197... by 173 miles (278 km). The 38.1 mile (61.3 km) cutoff runs from Dotsero Dotsero, Colorado - Volcano :Dotsero is built at the base of Colorado's most recently active volcano, the Dotsero Crater, which, according to the United States Geological Survey, erupted 4,140 years ago.... to Orestod (Dotsero spelled backwards). This route remains one of Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... 's most popular.
1933	March 2	Outgoing U.S. President Herbert Hoover Herbert Hoover Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business... signs a proclamation creating Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument.
1933	January 10	Ed Johnson Edwin C. Johnson Edwin Carl Johnson was a Democratic Party politician who served as Governor of the state of Colorado.-Background:... assumes office as the twenty-sixth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1932	March 28	U.S. President Herbert Hoover Herbert Hoover Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business... signs an order changing the name of Colorado National Forest Colorado National Forest Colorado National Forest was established in Colorado on July 1, 1910 with from Medicine Bow National Forest. On March 28, 1932 it was renamed Roosevelt National Forest. -External links:*... to Roosevelt National Forest Roosevelt National Forest The Roosevelt National Forest is a National Forest located in north central Colorado. It is contiguous with the Colorado State Forest as well as the Arapaho National Forest... .
1932	March 17	U.S. President Herbert Hoover Herbert Hoover Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business... signs an act of Congress creating Great Sand Dunes National Monument.
1930	April 1	1930 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 1,035,791, an increase of 10.23% since the 1920 United States Census.

1920s

Year	Date	Event
1929	October 17	Denver Municipal Airport opens.
1928	February 26	The 6.2 mile (10.0 km) long Moffat Tunnel Moffat Tunnel The Moffat Tunnel is a railroad and water tunnel that cuts through the Continental Divide in north-central Colorado. Named after Colorado railroad pioneer David Moffat, the tunnel's first railroad traffic passed through in February 1928.... under the Continental Divide of the Americas opens as the world's longest railway tunnel.
1927	January 11	Billy Adams Billy Adams William Herbert Adams , better known as Billy Adams, was the 25th Governor of the State of Colorado, United States, from 1927 until 1933.... assumes office as the twenty-fifth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1925	January 13	Clarence Morley Clarence Morley Clarence Joseph Morley was the 24th Governor of Colorado from 1925 to 1927, serving one two-year term. He was a Republican. Before becoming governor he was a judge in Denver, Colorado... assumes office as the twenty-fourth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1923	March 2	U.S. President Warren G. Harding Warren G. Harding Warren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator... signs a proclamation creating Hovenweep National Monument Hovenweep National Monument Hovenweep National Monument is located on land in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah, located between Cortez, Colorado and Blanding, Utah on the Cajon Mesa of the Great Sage Plain... .
1923	January 9	William Ellery Sweet William Ellery Sweet William Ellery Sweet was the 23rd Governor of Colorado from 1923-1925.- Early life and career :William was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 27, 1869 to Channing and Emeroy Sweet. His family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1872 when William was two. He attended school there, and... assumes office as the twenty-third Governor of the State of Colorado.
1921	June 3	Flash flood Flash flood A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields... s on the Arkansas River Arkansas River The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas... and Fountain Creek Fountain Creek Fountain Creek is a stream in El Paso and Pueblo counties, in Colorado in the United States.-Geography:From its source near the city of Woodland Park north of Pikes Peak, the creek flows southeast through the communities of Green Mountain Falls and Chipita Park to the town of Cascade. It... kill 1500 people and inflict over $20 million of damage around Pueblo Pueblo, Colorado Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States.... .
1920	April 1	1920 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 939,629, an increase of 17.60% since the 1910 United States Census.

1910s

Year	Date	Event
1919	December 19	U.S. President Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913... signs a proclamation creating Yucca House National Monument Yucca House National Monument Yucca House National Monument is a United States National Monument located in Montezuma County, Colorado between the towns of Towaoc and Cortez, Colorado... .
1919	January 14	Oliver Henry Shoup Oliver Henry Shoup Oliver Henry Nelson Shoup was the 22nd Governor of Colorado from 1919–1923.Oliver Shoup was born in Champaign County, Illinois on December 13, 1869 to William and Delia Shoup. He lived in Illinois, until he was 13 years old, when they moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado... assumes office as the twenty-second Governor of the State of Colorado.
1917	January 9	Julius Caldeen Gunter Julius Caldeen Gunter Julius Caldeen Gunter was the 21st Governor of Colorado from January 9, 1917 until his term ended on January 14, 1919.He was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and earned a LL.D Degree... assumes office as the twenty-first Governor of the State of Colorado.
1915	October 4	U.S. President Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913... signs a proclamation creating Dinosaur National Monument Dinosaur National Monument Dinosaur National Monument is a National Monument located on the southeast flank of the Uinta Mountains on the border between Colorado and Utah at the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers. Although most of the monument area is in Moffat County, Colorado, the Dinosaur Quarry is located in Utah... .
	January 26	U.S. President Woodrow Wilson Woodrow Wilson Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913... signs an act of Congress creating Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park Rocky Mountain National Park is a national park located in the north-central region of the U.S. state of Colorado.It features majestic mountain views, a variety of wildlife, varied climates and environments—from wooded forests to mountain tundra—and easy access to back-country trails...
	January 12	George Alfred Carlson George Alfred Carlson George Alfred Carlson was the 20th Governor of Colorado from 1915-17.-Biography:Carlson graduated from the University of Colorado in 1902 and earned his law degree there in 1904. He practiced law in Fort Collins, Colorado from 1905-08, and was district attorney in Fort Collins from 1908-14... assumes office as the twentieth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1913	March 8	The State of Colorado creates Alamosa County Alamosa County, Colorado Alamosa County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county name is the Spanish language word for a "grove of cottonwood trees." The county population was 14,966 at U.S. Census 2000... from portions of Costilla Costilla County, Colorado Costilla County is the ninth least populous of the 64 counties in the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 3,663 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado.- History :... and Conejos Conejos County, Colorado Conejos County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 8,400 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is the unincorporated town of Conejos.-History:... counties.
1913	January 14	Elias M. Ammons Elias M. Ammons Elias Milton Ammons , originally a Republican, was the elected Democratic 19th Governor of Colorado from 1913 to 1915. Born in 1860 in Macon County, North Carolina, he is perhaps best remembered for ordering National Guard troops into Ludlow, Colorado during the Ludlow Massacre... assumes office as the nineteenth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1911	July 17	Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company is formed in Denver.
	May 29	The State of Colorado creates Crowley County Crowley County, Colorado Crowley County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 5,518 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Ordway.- History :... from a portion of Otero County Otero County, Colorado Otero County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for Miguel Antonio Otero, one of the founders of the town of La Junta and a member of a prominent Hispanic family. The county population was 20,311 at U.S. Census 2000... .
	May 24	U.S. President William Howard Taft William Howard Taft William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States... signs a proclamation creating Colorado National Monument Colorado National Monument - Trails :The Monument contains many hiking trails, with lengths and difficulties to suit all tastes. Summer storms can cause flash floods as well as dangerous trail conditions. Rattlesnakes are found on the Monument, and rough terrain exists everywhere, but most trails are well-maintained... .
	February 27	The State of Colorado creates Moffat County Moffat County, Colorado Moffat County is the northwesternmost and the second most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 13,184 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Craig.- History :... from a portion of Routt County Routt County, Colorado Routt County is the 15th most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,690 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Steamboat Springs.- History :... .
1910	July 1	U.S. President William Howard Taft William Howard Taft William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States... signs an order creating Colorado National Forest Colorado National Forest Colorado National Forest was established in Colorado on July 1, 1910 with from Medicine Bow National Forest. On March 28, 1932 it was renamed Roosevelt National Forest. -External links:*... .
1910	April 1	1910 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 799,024, an increase of 48.05% since the 1900 United States Census.

1900s

Year	Date	Event
1909	May 5	The State of Colorado creates Jackson County Jackson County, Colorado Jackson County is the fourth-least densely populated of the Colorado 64 counties of the U.S. state of Colorado. The county population was 1,577 at the 2000 Census. The county seat and the only municipality in the county is the Town of Walden.- History :... from the western portion of Larimer County Larimer County, Colorado Larimer County is the seventh most populous and the ninth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is located at the northern end of the Front Range, at the edge of the Colorado Eastern Plains along the border with Wyoming... .
	January 19	The Denver, Northwestern and Pacific Railway reaches Steamboat Springs Steamboat Springs, Colorado The city of Steamboat Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Routt County, Colorado, United States. The city is also known as "Steamboat," "The Boat," or "Ski Town USA". As of the 2010 census, the city population was 12,088.The city is an... .
	January 12	John F. Shafroth John F. Shafroth John Franklin Shafroth was a United States Representative and Senator from Colorado. Born in Fayette, Missouri, he attended the common schools and graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1875. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1876 and commenced practice in Fayette... assumes office as the eighteenth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1908	July 10	The Democratic National Convention 1908 Democratic National Convention The 1908 Democratic National Convention was the quadrennial Democratic National Convention, the presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party. It took place from July 7 to July 10, 1908 at Denver Auditorium Arena in Denver, Colorado.... meeting in Denver nominates William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan was an American politician in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. He was a dominant force in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, standing three times as its candidate for President of the United States... for President of the United States President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
1908	July 1	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs an order creating Arapaho National Forest Arapaho National Forest Arapaho National Forest is a National Forest located in north-central Colorado, United States. The facility is managed jointly with the Roosevelt National Forest and the Pawnee National Grassland from the United States Forest Service office in Fort Collins, Colorado... .
1907	January 8	Henry Augustus Buchtel Henry Augustus Buchtel Henry Augustus Buchtel was an American minister, educator, and public official, born near Akron, Ohio. He was the seventeenth governor of Colorado.... assumes office as the seventeenth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1906	June 29	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs an act of Congress creating Mesa Verde National Park Mesa Verde National Park Mesa Verde National Park is a U.S. National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Montezuma County, Colorado, United States. It was created in 1906 to protect some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the world... .
	August 1	The Argentine Central Railway Argentine Central Railway The Argentine Central Railway was a narrow gauge railroad in the United States built from the Colorado and Southern Railway at Silver Plume, Colorado to Waldorf, Colorado and onward to the summit of Mount McClellan. Construction began on August 1, 1905 and the line was opened a year later on... reaches the 13,587 foot (4141 m) summit of Mount McClellan.
	February 24	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs an order creating the Fruita Forest Reserve.
	January 29	The first Western Livestock Show National Western Stock Show The National Western Stock Show is held every January at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado. First held in 1906, it is the world's largest stock show by number of animals and offers the world’s only carload and pen cattle show in the historic Denver Union Stockyards.The stock show is... opens in Denver. The show will become the National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show National Western Stock Show The National Western Stock Show is held every January at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado. First held in 1906, it is the world's largest stock show by number of animals and offers the world’s only carload and pen cattle show in the historic Denver Union Stockyards.The stock show is... .
	January 25	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs an order creating the La Sal Forest Reserve.
1905	August 25	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs an order creating the Holy Cross Forest Reserve.
	June 14	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs an order creating the Uncompahgre Forest Reserve.
	June 13	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs orders creating the Cochetopa Forest Reserve and the Montezuma Forest Reserve.
	June 12	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs orders creating the Park Range Forest Reserve, the San Isabel Forest Reserve, and the Wet Mountains Forest Reserve.
	June 5	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs an order creating the San Juan Forest Reserve.
	May 12	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs orders creating the Gunnison Forest Reserve, the Leadville Forest Reserve, and the Pike's Peak Forest Reserve.
	March 17	This becomes Colorado's day with three governors Jesse Fuller McDonald Jesse Fuller McDonald was an American public official civil engineer and surveyor, born in Ashtabula, Ohio.Colorado's 16th governor was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, on June 30, 1858. After completing his education in Ohio's public school system, he studied civil engineering and surveying... as Alva Adams Alva Adams (governor) Alva Adams was an American politician. He was born in Iowa County, Wisconsin. He served as the fifth, tenth and 14th Governor of Colorado from 1887 to 1889, 1897 to 1899, and briefly in 1905. He died in Battle Creek, Michigan.Adams County, Colorado, is named for Alva Adams, and it's believed the... , James Hamilton Peabody James Hamilton Peabody James Hamilton Peabody was the 13th and 15th Governor of Colorado, and is noted for his public service in Cañon City.-Family background:... , and Jesse Fuller McDonald Jesse Fuller McDonald Jesse Fuller McDonald was an American public official civil engineer and surveyor, born in Ashtabula, Ohio.Colorado's 16th governor was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, on June 30, 1858. After completing his education in Ohio's public school system, he studied civil engineering and surveying... sequentially serve as the Governor of the State of Colorado.
	January 10	Alva Adams Alva Adams (governor) Alva Adams was an American politician. He was born in Iowa County, Wisconsin. He served as the fifth, tenth and 14th Governor of Colorado from 1887 to 1889, 1897 to 1899, and briefly in 1905. He died in Battle Creek, Michigan.Adams County, Colorado, is named for Alva Adams, and it's believed the... assumes office again as the fourteenth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1904	May 21	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs an order creating the White River Forest Reserve.
1903	April 11	The State of Colorado reverts the name of South Arapahoe County South Arapahoe County, Colorado South Arapahoe County was a county of the State of Colorado that existed for five months until it was renamed Arapahoe County in 1902.-History:... back to Arapahoe County Arapahoe County, Colorado As of the census of 2000, there were 487,967 people, 190,909 households, and 125,809 families residing in the county. The population density was 608 people per square mile . There were 196,835 housing units at an average density of 245 per square mile... .
1903	January 13	James Hamilton Peabody James Hamilton Peabody James Hamilton Peabody was the 13th and 15th Governor of Colorado, and is noted for his public service in Cañon City.-Family background:... assumes office as the thirteenth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1902	November 15	After a prolonged court battle, the State of Colorado splits Arapahoe County Arapahoe County, Colorado As of the census of 2000, there were 487,967 people, 190,909 households, and 125,809 families residing in the county. The population density was 608 people per square mile . There were 196,835 housing units at an average density of 245 per square mile... into three new counties: the City and County of Denver, South Arapahoe County South Arapahoe County, Colorado South Arapahoe County was a county of the State of Colorado that existed for five months until it was renamed Arapahoe County in 1902.-History:... , and Adams County Adams County, Colorado Adams County is the fifth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the county population was 441,603 in 2010 census, a 21.4% increase since 2000 census. Adams County is named for Alva Adams, Governor of the... .
	July 18	The Denver, Northwestern and Pacific Railway incorporates in Denver. The company plans to build a direct rail line from Denver to Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197... via a lengthy tunnel under the Continental Divide of the Americas.
	May 22	U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt Theodore Roosevelt Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity... signs an order creating the Medicine Bow Forest Reserve.
1901	January 8	James Bradley Orman James Bradley Orman James Bradley Orman was an American politician and railroad builder. He served as the 12th Governor of Colorado from 1901 to 1903. He was a Democrat.... assumes office as the twelfth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1900	April 1	1900 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 539,700, an increase of 30.60% since the 1890 United States Census.

1890s

Year	Date	Event
1899	March 23	The State of Colorado creates Teller County Teller County, Colorado Teller County is the 22nd most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 20,555 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Cripple Creek, and the most populous city is Woodland Park... from portions of El Paso El Paso County, Colorado El Paso County is the most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States, now more populous than Denver County. The United States Census Bureau concluded that the county population was 622,371 in 2010. In recent years, the population had come closer to that of Denver... and Fremont Fremont County, Colorado Fremont County is the thirteenth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county is named for explorer and presidential candidate John C. Frémont. The county population was 46,824 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Cañon City. The Cañon City... counties.
1899	January 10	Charles Spalding Thomas Charles Spalding Thomas Charles Spalding Thomas was a United States Senator from Colorado. Born in Darien, McIntosh County, Georgia, he attended private schools in Georgia and Connecticut, and served briefly in the Confederate Army.-Biography:... assumes office as the eleventh Governor of the State of Colorado.
1897	January 12	Alva Adams Alva Adams (governor) Alva Adams was an American politician. He was born in Iowa County, Wisconsin. He served as the fifth, tenth and 14th Governor of Colorado from 1887 to 1889, 1897 to 1899, and briefly in 1905. He died in Battle Creek, Michigan.Adams County, Colorado, is named for Alva Adams, and it's believed the... assumes office again as the tenth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1895	January 8	Albert Washington McIntire Albert Washington McIntire Albert Washington McIntire was an American Republican politician. He was the ninth Governor of Colorado from 1895 to 1897... assumes office as the ninth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1893	November 7	Colorado becomes the first U.S. state U.S. state A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of... to give women the vote by popular referendum Referendum A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of... .
1894	July 1	The Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad reaches Cripple Creek Cripple Creek, Colorado The City of Cripple Creek is a Statutory City that is the county seat of Teller County, Colorado, United States. Cripple Creek is a former gold mining camp located southwest of Colorado Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. The Cripple Creek Historic District, which received National Historic... .
1893	summer	Katherine Lee Bates writes America the Beautiful America the Beautiful "America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song. The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates and the music composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward.... after a trip to the summit of Pikes Peak Pikes Peak Pikes Peak is a mountain in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, west of Colorado Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County in the United States of America.... .
	March 27	The State of Colorado creates Mineral County Mineral County, Colorado Mineral County is the second least populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the many valuable minerals found in the mountains and streams of the area. The county population was 831 at U.S. Census 2000... from portions of Hinsdale Hinsdale County, Colorado Hinsdale County is the least densely populated of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 790 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat and the only municipality in the county is the Town of Lake City. Hinsdale County is named for George A. Hinsdale, a... , Rio Grande Rio Grande County, Colorado Rio Grande County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is named for the Rio Grande , which flows through the county. The county population was 12,413 at U.S. Census 2000... , and Saguache Saguache County, Colorado Saguache County is the seventh most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county name comes from a Ute language word meaning “blue earth” or “water at blue earth”. The county population was 5,917 at U.S. Census 2000... counties.
	January 10	Davis Hanson Waite Davis Hanson Waite Davis Hanson Waite , U.S. Populist Party and Democratic Party politician, served as the eighth Governor of Colorado from 1893 to 1895... assumes office as the eighth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1892	December 24	U.S. President Benjamin Harrison Benjamin Harrison Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there... signs an order creating the Battlement Mesa Forest Reserve Battlement Mesa Forest Reserve Battlement Mesa Forest Reserve was established by the General Land Office in Colorado on December 24, 1892 with . In 1905 all federal forests were transferred to the U.S. Forest Service. On July 1, 1908 part of the forest was combined with Holy Cross National Forest, part was renamed Battlement... .
1891	October 16	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Creede Creede, Colorado The historic town of Creede is a Statutory Town that is the county seat of, and the only incorporated municipality in, Mineral County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 377 at the U.S. Census 2000.-History:... .
	October 16	U.S. President Benjamin Harrison Benjamin Harrison Benjamin Harrison was the 23rd President of the United States . Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there... signs an act of Congress creating the White River Plateau Timberland Reserve White River National Forest White River National Forest is a National Forest in northwest Colorado. It is named after the White River that passes through it. It also contains the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, largely considered the birthplace of the U.S... , the second U.S. national forest reserve United States National Forest National Forest is a classification of federal lands in the United States.National Forests are largely forest and woodland areas owned by the federal government and managed by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Land management of these areas... .
	January 13	John Long Routt John Long Routt John Long Routt was a U.S. Republican political figure. Born in Eddyville, Kentucky, he served as the first and seventh Governor of Colorado from 1876 to 1879 and 1891 to 1893. He also served as Mayor of Denver, Colorado from 1883 to 1885... assumes office as the seventh Governor of the State of Colorado.
1890	October 22	The Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway The Manitou and Pike's Peak Railway is an Abt rack system cog railway in Colorado, USA, climbing the well-known mountain Pikes Peak. The base station is in Manitou Springs, Colorado near Colorado Springs.... completes the rack and pinion line to the 14,115 foot (4,302 m) summit of Pikes Peak Pikes Peak Pikes Peak is a mountain in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, west of Colorado Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County in the United States of America.... .
1890	April 1	1890 United States Census enumerates the population of Colorado, later determined to be 413,249, an increase of 112.66% since the 1880 United States Census.

1880s

Year	Date	Event
1889	June 24	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Lake City Lake City, Colorado The Town of Lake City is a Statutory Town that is the county seat of, and the only incorporated municipality in, Hinsdale County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 375 at the U.S. Census 2000... .
	April 16	The State of Colorado creates Baca County Baca County, Colorado Baca County is the southeasternmost of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 4,517 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Springfield.- History :... from a portion of Las Animas County Las Animas County, Colorado Las Animas County has the largest area of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Las Animas County takes its name from the Mexican Spanish name of the Purgatoire River, originally called El Río de las Ánimas Perdidas en Purgatorio, which means "River of the Lost Souls in... , and Montezuma County Montezuma County, Colorado Montezuma County is the southwesternmost of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 23,830 at U.S. Census 2000... from a portion of La Plata County La Plata County, Colorado La Plata County is the fourteenth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the La Plata River and the La Plata Mountains. "La plata" is the Spanish language word for "silver". The United States Census Bureau estimated that the... .
	April 11	The State of Colorado creates Kiowa Kiowa County, Colorado Kiowa County is the second least densely populated of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 1,622 at the 2000 census. The county seat is Eads... , Kit Carson Kit Carson County, Colorado Kit Carson County is the 18th most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 8,011 at U.S. Census 2000. The county was named for Kit Carson... , Lincoln Lincoln County, Colorado Lincoln County is the tenth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 6,087 at U.S. Census 2000... , and Prowers Prowers County, Colorado Prowers County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is named in honor of John W. Prowers, a leading pioneer in the lower Arkansas valley region. The county population was 14,483 at U.S. Census 2000... counties from portions of Bent Bent County, Colorado Bent County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county is named in honor of frontier trader William Bent. The county population was 5,998 at U.S. Census 2000... and Elbert Elbert County, Colorado Elbert County is the 21st most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,872 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Kiowa... counties.
	April 9	The State of Colorado creates Sedgwick County Sedgwick County, Colorado Sedgwick County is the northeasternmost of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for Fort Sedgwick, a military post along the Platte Trail, which was named for General John Sedgwick. The county population was 2,379 at U.S. 2010 Census... from a portion of Logan County Logan County, Colorado Logan County is the 23rd most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for General John A. Logan. The county population was 20,504 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Sterling... .
	March 27	The State of Colorado creates Phillips County Phillips County, Colorado Phillips County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named in honor of R.O. Phillips, a secretary of the Lincoln Land Company, who organized several towns in Colorado. The county population was 4,480 at U.S. Census 2000... from a portion of Logan County Logan County, Colorado Logan County is the 23rd most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for General John A. Logan. The county population was 20,504 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Sterling... .
	March 25	The State of Colorado creates Cheyenne County Cheyenne County, Colorado Cheyenne County is the fifth least densely populated of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 2,231 at U.S. Census 2000... from portions of Elbert Elbert County, Colorado Elbert County is the 21st most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,872 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Kiowa... and Bent Bent County, Colorado Bent County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county is named in honor of frontier trader William Bent. The county population was 5,998 at U.S. Census 2000... counties, Otero County Otero County, Colorado Otero County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for Miguel Antonio Otero, one of the founders of the town of La Junta and a member of a prominent Hispanic family. The county population was 20,311 at U.S. Census 2000... from a portion of Bent County Bent County, Colorado Bent County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county is named in honor of frontier trader William Bent. The county population was 5,998 at U.S. Census 2000... , and Rio Blanco County Rio Blanco County, Colorado Rio Blanco County is the sixth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 5,986 at U.S. Census 2000. The name of the county is the Spanish language name for the White River which runs through it... from a portion of Garfield County Garfield County, Colorado Garfield County is the eighth most extensive and the twelfth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 43,791 at U.S. Census 2000. The county is named in honor of United States President James A. Garfield... .
	March 15	The State of Colorado creates Yuma County Yuma County, Colorado Yuma County is the 14th most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 9,841 at U.S. Census 2000... from a portion of Washington County Washington County, Colorado Washington County is the 12th most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 4,926 at U.S. Census 2000. The county was named in honor of the United States President George Washington... .
	February 19	The State of Colorado creates Morgan County Morgan County, Colorado Morgan County is the 18th most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named after old Fort Morgan, which in turn was named in honor of Colonel Christopher A. Morgan. The county population was 27,171 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is the... from a portion of Weld County Weld County, Colorado As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile... .
	January 8	Job Adams Cooper Job Adams Cooper Job Adams Cooper was a U.S. Republican Party politician. He served as the sixth Governor of the State of Colorado from 1889 to 1891.-Early life:... assumes office as the sixth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1888	December 18	Richard Wetherill Richard Wetherill Richard Wetherill , a member of a prominent Colorado ranching family, was an amateur explorer in the discovery, research and excavation of sites associated with the Ancient Pueblo People... and Charlie Mason find the Cliff Palace Cliff Palace The Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in North America. The structure built by the Ancient Pueblo Peoples is located in Mesa Verde National Park in their former homeland region... on Mesa Verde.
	July 11	Bennett Bennett, Colorado The town of Bennett is a Statutory Town in Adams and Arapahoe counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the town had a population of 2,536 in 2005... records an ambient air temperature of 118 °F (47.8 °C), setting the all-time state record high temperature.
	April 9	The Denver, Texas and Fort Worth Railroad begins service between Denver and Fort Worth Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and... .
	January 1	The Missouri Pacific Railroad Missouri Pacific Railroad The Missouri Pacific Railroad , also known as the MoPac, was one of the first railroads in the United States west of the Mississippi River. MoPac was a Class I railroad growing from dozens of predecessors and mergers, including the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway , Texas and Pacific... begins service between Pueblo Pueblo, Colorado Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States.... , Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties... , and Saint Louis St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St... .
1887	November 5	The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad reaches Denver.
	October 28	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Aspen Aspen, Colorado The City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005... .
	October 6	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Glenwood Springs Glenwood Springs, Colorado The City of Glenwood Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Garfield County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the city population was 8,564 in 2005... via Glenwood Canyon Glenwood Canyon Glenwood Canyon is a rugged scenic canyon on the Colorado River in western Colorado in the United States. Its canyon walls climb as high as above the Colorado River. It is the largest such canyon on the Upper Colorado... .
	September 3	The Colorado Midland Railroad begins service between Colorado City and Leadville Leadville, Colorado Leadville is a Statutory City that is the county seat of, and the only municipality in, Lake County, Colorado, United States. Situated at an elevation of , Leadville is the highest incorporated city and the second highest incorporated municipality in the United States... via Buena Vista Buena Vista, Colorado Buena Vista is a Statutory Town in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,195 at the 2000 census.Buena Vista is located in central Colorado roughly midway between Salida and Leadville in the Upper Arkansas River Valley at an elevation of . The area between Buena Vista and... and Hagerman Tunnel Hagerman Tunnel Hagerman Tunnel was a 2,161 ft railroad tunnel crossing the Continental Divide in Colorado at an altitude of 11,528 ft .... under the Continental Divide of the Americas.
	February 25	The State of Colorado creates Logan County Logan County, Colorado Logan County is the 23rd most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for General John A. Logan. The county population was 20,504 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Sterling... from a portion of Weld County Weld County, Colorado As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile... .
	February 9	The State of Colorado creates Washington County Washington County, Colorado Washington County is the 12th most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 4,926 at U.S. Census 2000. The county was named in honor of the United States President George Washington... from a portion of Weld County Weld County, Colorado As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile... .
	January 11	Alva Adams Alva Adams (governor) Alva Adams was an American politician. He was born in Iowa County, Wisconsin. He served as the fifth, tenth and 14th Governor of Colorado from 1887 to 1889, 1897 to 1899, and briefly in 1905. He died in Battle Creek, Michigan.Adams County, Colorado, is named for Alva Adams, and it's believed the... assumes office as the fifth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1885	April 14	The State of Colorado creates Archuleta County Archuleta County, Colorado Archuleta County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the county population was 12,386 in 2006, a 25.14% increase since U.S. Census 2000... from a portion of Conejos County Conejos County, Colorado Conejos County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 8,400 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is the unincorporated town of Conejos.-History:... .
1885	January 13	Benjamin Harrison Eaton Benjamin Harrison Eaton Benjamin Harrison Eaton was an American politician, entrepreneur and agriculturalist in the late 19th and early 20th century. Eaton was a founding officer of the Greeley Colony and was instrumental in the establishment of modern irrigation farming to Northern Colorado... assumes office as the fourth Governor of the State of Colorado.
1884	April	The Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway The Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway was incorporated in 1880 with the goal of extending the Colorado Central Railroad from Georgetown, Colorado to Breckenridge, Colorado and Leadville, Colorado. Soon after the goal became to link the Colorado Central to the Denver, South Park and... reaches SilverPlume Silver Plume, Colorado The historic Town of Silver Plume is a Statutory Town located in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. Silver Plume is a former silver mining camp along Clear Creek in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains... via the Georgetown Loop Georgetown Loop The Georgetown Loop Railroad is a narrow gauge heritage railroad located in the Rocky Mountains in Clear Creek County, Colorado, in the United States.... .
1883	March 2	The State of Colorado creates San Miguel County San Miguel County, Colorado San Miguel County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county is named for the San Miguel River. The county population was 6,594 at U.S. Census 2000... from a portion of San Juan County San Juan County, Colorado San Juan County is the least populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado in the United States. The county name is the Spanish language name for “Saint John”, the name Spanish explorers gave to a river and the mountain range in the area. The county population was 558 at U.S. Census 2000... , and reverts the name of Uncompaghre County Uncompaghre County, Colorado Uncompaghre County was a county of the State of Colorado that existed for only four days. Uncompaghre County was created by a temporary renaming of Ouray County in 1883.-History:... back to Ouray County Ouray County, Colorado Ouray County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 3,742 at U.S. Census 2000. As of 2010, U.S. Census data place the population at 4,436. The county seat is the City of Ouray... .
	February 27	The State of Colorado renames Ouray County Ouray County, Colorado Ouray County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 3,742 at U.S. Census 2000. As of 2010, U.S. Census data place the population at 4,436. The county seat is the City of Ouray... as Uncompaghre County Uncompaghre County, Colorado Uncompaghre County was a county of the State of Colorado that existed for only four days. Uncompaghre County was created by a temporary renaming of Ouray County in 1883.-History:... .
	February 14	\|The State of Colorado creates Mesa County Mesa County, Colorado Mesa County is the fourth most extensive and the eleventh most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado in the United States. The county was named for the many large mesas in the area, including Grand Mesa. The county population was 146,723 at the 2010 United States Census. The... from a portion of Gunnison County Gunnison County, Colorado Gunnison County is the fifth most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 15,324 at the 2010 census. The county was named for John W. Gunnison, a United States Army officer and captain in the Army Topographical Engineers, who surveyed... .
	February 11	The State of Colorado creates Eagle County Eagle County, Colorado Eagle County is the thirteenth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county is named for the Eagle River. The county population was 41,659 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is the Town of Eagle... from a portion of Summit County Summit County, Colorado Summit County is the 19th most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 23,538 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Breckenridge... , and Delta Delta County, Colorado Delta County is the 17th most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 27,834 in the 2000 U.S. Census. The county seat is the City of Delta... and Montrose Montrose County, Colorado Montrose County is the 17th most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 41,276 at U.S. Census 2010. The county was named for its county seat, the City of Montrose... counties from portions of Gunnison County Gunnison County, Colorado Gunnison County is the fifth most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 15,324 at the 2010 census. The county was named for John W. Gunnison, a United States Army officer and captain in the Army Topographical Engineers, who surveyed... .
	February 10	The State of Colorado creates Garfield County Garfield County, Colorado Garfield County is the eighth most extensive and the twelfth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 43,791 at U.S. Census 2000. The county is named in honor of United States President James A. Garfield... from a portion of Summit County Summit County, Colorado Summit County is the 19th most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 23,538 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Breckenridge... .
	January 9	James Benton Grant James Benton Grant James Benton Grant was an American mining engineer and the third Governor of Colorado from 1883 to 1885. He was born in Russell County, Alabama and died in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.... assumes office as the third Governor of the State of Colorado.
1882	December 19	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches the Colorado-Utah Territory Utah Territory The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah.... border west of Grand Junction Grand Junction, Colorado The City of Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. It is a city with a council–manager government form that is the county seat and the most populous city of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Grand Junction is situated west-southwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. As... .
	November 21	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Grand Junction Grand Junction, Colorado The City of Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. It is a city with a council–manager government form that is the county seat and the most populous city of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Grand Junction is situated west-southwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. As... .
	September 8	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Montrose Montrose, Colorado The City of Montrose is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Montrose County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 15,479 in 2005. The main road that leads in and out of Montrose is U.S... .
	September 6	The Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad The Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad was a historic narrow gauge railway that operated in Colorado in the western United States in the late 19th century. The railroad opened up the first rail routes to a large section of the central Colorado mining district in the decades of the mineral boom... reaches Gunnison Gunnison, Colorado The historic City of Gunnison, a Home Rule Municipality, is the county seat and the most populous city of Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 5,854. It was named in honor of John W... via the Alpine Tunnel Alpine Tunnel Alpine Tunnel is a narrow gauge railroad tunnel located east of Pitkin, Colorado on the former Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad route from Denver to Gunnison. At an elevation of , it was the first tunnel constructed through the Colorado Continental Divide, and according to the U.S. Forest... under the Continental Divide of the Americas.
	July 8	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Silverton Silverton, Colorado The town of Silverton is a Statutory Town that is the county seat of, and the only incorporated municipality in, San Juan County, Colorado, United States. Silverton is a former silver mining camp, most or all of which is now included in a federally designated National Historic Landmark District,... .
	June 26	The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad was a railroad that operated in the Midwestern United States. Commonly referred to as the Burlington or as the Q, the Burlington Route served a large area, including extensive trackage in the states of Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri,... reaches Denver.
	May 7	The Denver and New Orleans Railroad begins service between Denver and Pueblo Pueblo, Colorado Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States.... .
1881	November 24	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Crested Butte Crested Butte, Colorado Crested Butte is a Home Rule Municipality in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. A former coal mining town now called "the last great Colorado ski town," Crested Butte is a destination for skiing, mountain biking, and a variety of other outdoor activities... .
	August 8	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Gunnison Gunnison, Colorado The historic City of Gunnison, a Home Rule Municipality, is the county seat and the most populous city of Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 5,854. It was named in honor of John W... .
	July 27	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Durango Durango, Colorado The City of Durango is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau said that the city population was 16,887 in 2010 census.-History:... .
	March 4	The State of Colorado creates Dolores County Dolores County, Colorado Dolores County is the seventh least populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 1,844 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Dove Creek.- History :... from a portion of Ouray County Ouray County, Colorado Ouray County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 3,742 at U.S. Census 2000. As of 2010, U.S. Census data place the population at 4,436. The county seat is the City of Ouray... .
	February 23	The State of Colorado creates Pitkin County Pitkin County, Colorado Pitkin County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is named in honor of the late Colorado Governor Frederick Walker Pitkin. The county population was 14,872 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Aspen... from a portion of Gunnison County Gunnison County, Colorado Gunnison County is the fifth most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 15,324 at the 2010 census. The county was named for John W. Gunnison, a United States Army officer and captain in the Army Topographical Engineers, who surveyed... .
	February 21	The Colorado Electric Company Xcel Energy Xcel Energy, Inc. is a public utility company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving customers in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Primary services are electricity and natural gas... incorporates in Denver.
1880	July 22	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Leadville Leadville, Colorado Leadville is a Statutory City that is the county seat of, and the only municipality in, Lake County, Colorado, United States. Situated at an elevation of , Leadville is the highest incorporated city and the second highest incorporated municipality in the United States... . The first passenger train to Leadville carries former President Ulysses Grant, the man who brought Colorado statehood.
	June 1	The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches the Colorado-New Mexico Territory New Mexico Territory thumb\|right\|240px\|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of... border south of Antonito Antonito, Colorado The Town of Antonito is a statutory town located in Conejos County, Colorado, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town's population was 873.-Geography:... .
	April 1	1880 United States Census enumerates the population of the State of Colorado, later determined to be 194,327, an increase of 387% since the 1870 United States Census.
	March 3	The Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad The Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad was a historic narrow gauge railway that operated in Colorado in the western United States in the late 19th century. The railroad opened up the first rail routes to a large section of the central Colorado mining district in the decades of the mineral boom... reaches Buena Vista Buena Vista, Colorado Buena Vista is a Statutory Town in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,195 at the 2000 census.Buena Vista is located in central Colorado roughly midway between Salida and Leadville in the Upper Arkansas River Valley at an elevation of . The area between Buena Vista and... .

1870s

Year	Date	Event
1879	September 1	Colorado Agricultural College opens to students. The land-grant college is renamed Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1935, and renamed Colorado State University Colorado State University Colorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and... in 1957.
	April 21	A decision of the United States Supreme Court settles the Royal Gorge War.
	February 24	The Denver Telephone Dispatch Company opens for business.
	February 10	The State of Colorado abolishes Carbonate County Carbonate County, Colorado Carbonate County was a county of the state of Colorado that existed for only two days in 1879. Carbonate County was created by renaming Lake County, Colorado.-History:On 8 February 1879, the Colorado General Assembly renamed Lake County as Carbonate County... after two days and splits its territory between a new Chaffee County Chaffee County, Colorado Chaffee County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 16,242 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Salida.-History:... and a renamed Lake County Lake County, Colorado Lake County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The highest natural point in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountains is the summit of Mount Elbert in Lake County at 14,440 feet elevation. The county population was 7,812 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat... .
	February 8	The State of Colorado renames Lake County Lake County, Colorado Lake County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The highest natural point in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountains is the summit of Mount Elbert in Lake County at 14,440 feet elevation. The county population was 7,812 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat... as Carbonate County Carbonate County, Colorado Carbonate County was a county of the state of Colorado that existed for only two days in 1879. Carbonate County was created by renaming Lake County, Colorado.-History:On 8 February 1879, the Colorado General Assembly renamed Lake County as Carbonate County... .
	January 14	Frederick Walker Pitkin Frederick Walker Pitkin Frederick Walker Pitkin , a U.S. Republican Party politician, served as the second Governor of Colorado from 1879 to 1883. Pitkin County, Colorado was named in his honor.... assumes office as the second Governor of the State of Colorado.
1878	December 7	The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad reaches Raton Pass Raton Pass Raton Pass is a mountain pass on the Santa Fe Trail along the Colorado-New Mexico border in the United States. Raton Pass is a federally designated National Historic Landmark... on the Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route through central North America that connected Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1822 by William Becknell, it served as a vital commercial and military highway until the introduction of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880... , blocking the Denver and Rio Grande Railway's route to Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census... .
	June 26	The Denver and Rio Grande Railway reaches Alamosa Alamosa, Colorado The city of Alamosa is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Alamosa County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 8,682 in 2005... .
	April 19	The Royal Gorge War begins as a construction crew of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad blocks a crew of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway from building into the Royal Gorge Royal Gorge The Royal Gorge is a canyon on the Arkansas River near Cañon City, Colorado. With a width of at its base and a few hundred feet at its top, and a depth of in places, the 10-mile-long canyon is a narrow, steep gorge through the granite of Fremont Peak... .
	May 22	The Colorado Central Railroad Colorado Central Railroad The Colorado Central Railroad was a U.S. railroad company that operated in Colorado and southeastern Wyoming in the late 19th century. Originally founded in the Colorado Territory in the wake of the Colorado Gold Rush to ship gold from the mountains, it eventually expanded from its initial... reaches Central City Central City, Colorado Central City is a home rule municipality in Clear Creek and Gilpin counties in the U.S. state of Colorado, and the county seat of Gilpin County. The city population was 515 in the 2000 United States Census... .
1877	August 13	The Colorado Central Railroad Colorado Central Railroad The Colorado Central Railroad was a U.S. railroad company that operated in Colorado and southeastern Wyoming in the late 19th century. Originally founded in the Colorado Territory in the wake of the Colorado Gold Rush to ship gold from the mountains, it eventually expanded from its initial... reaches Georgetown Georgetown, Colorado The historic town of Georgetown is a Territorial Charter Municipality that is the county seat of Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States. The former silver mining camp along Clear Creek in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains was established in 1859 during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush... .
	March 9	The State of Colorado creates Custer County Custer County, Colorado Custer County is the tenth least populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 3,503 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Westcliffe.- History :... from a portion of Fremont County Fremont County, Colorado Fremont County is the thirteenth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county is named for explorer and presidential candidate John C. Frémont. The county population was 46,824 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Cañon City. The Cañon City... , and Gunnison County Gunnison County, Colorado Gunnison County is the fifth most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 15,324 at the 2010 census. The county was named for John W. Gunnison, a United States Army officer and captain in the Army Topographical Engineers, who surveyed... from a portion of Lake County Lake County, Colorado Lake County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The highest natural point in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountains is the summit of Mount Elbert in Lake County at 14,440 feet elevation. The county population was 7,812 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat... .
	January 29	The State of Colorado creates Routt County Routt County, Colorado Routt County is the 15th most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,690 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Steamboat Springs.- History :... from a portion of Grand County Grand County, Colorado Grand County is the 21st largest of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 12,442 at U.S. Census 2000... .
	January 18	The State of Colorado creates Ouray County Ouray County, Colorado Ouray County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 3,742 at U.S. Census 2000. As of 2010, U.S. Census data place the population at 4,436. The county seat is the City of Ouray... from portions of Hinsdale Hinsdale County, Colorado Hinsdale County is the least densely populated of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 790 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat and the only municipality in the county is the Town of Lake City. Hinsdale County is named for George A. Hinsdale, a... and Lake Lake County, Colorado Lake County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The highest natural point in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountains is the summit of Mount Elbert in Lake County at 14,440 feet elevation. The county population was 7,812 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat... counties.
1876	August 1	U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America... signs the presidential declaration admitting the State of Colorado to the Union United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... . John Long Routt John Long Routt John Long Routt was a U.S. Republican political figure. Born in Eddyville, Kentucky, he served as the first and seventh Governor of Colorado from 1876 to 1879 and 1891 to 1893. He also served as Mayor of Denver, Colorado from 1883 to 1885... remains the Governor and Denver remains the capital.
	July 4	A somber Colorado Territory observes the United States Centennial.
	June 25	The Battle of the Little Bighorn Battle of the Little Bighorn The Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand and, by the Indians involved, as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, was an armed engagement between combined forces of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho people against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army... kills hundreds in the Montana Territory Montana Territory The Territory of Montana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 28, 1864, until November 8, 1889, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Montana.-History:... . In The Territory of Colorado, startling news of the battle sobers celebration of the United States Centennial and anticipation of statehood.
	March 14	The Territory of Colorado establishes the University of Colorado University of Colorado The University of Colorado system is a system of public universities in Colorado consisting of three universities in four campuses: University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and University of Colorado Denver in downtown Denver and at the Anschutz Medical Campus in... .
	February 29	The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad reaches Pueblo.
	January 31	The Territory of Colorado creates San Juan County San Juan County, Colorado San Juan County is the least populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado in the United States. The county name is the Spanish language name for “Saint John”, the name Spanish explorers gave to a river and the mountain range in the area. The county population was 558 at U.S. Census 2000... from a portion of Lake County Lake County, Colorado Lake County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The highest natural point in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountains is the summit of Mount Elbert in Lake County at 14,440 feet elevation. The county population was 7,812 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat... .
1875	March 29	U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America... appoints John Long Routt John Long Routt John Long Routt was a U.S. Republican political figure. Born in Eddyville, Kentucky, he served as the first and seventh Governor of Colorado from 1876 to 1879 and 1891 to 1893. He also served as Mayor of Denver, Colorado from 1883 to 1885... as the eighth (and last) Governor of the Territory of Colorado.
1875	March 3	U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America... signs the Colorado Enabling Act.
1874	July 6	The Denver and Rio Grande Railway reaches Cañon City Cañon City, Colorado The City of Cañon City is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Fremont County, State of Colorado. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the city population was 16,000 in 2005. Cañon City is noted for being the location of nine state and four ... .
	June 19	U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America... appoints Edward M. McCook Edward M. McCook Edward Moody McCook was a lawyer, politician, distinguished Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, American diplomat, and Governor of the Territory of Colorado. He was a member of the famed "Fighting McCook" family of Ohio... as the seventh Governor of the Territory of Colorado.
	February 10	The Territory of Colorado creates Hinsdale Hinsdale County, Colorado Hinsdale County is the least densely populated of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 790 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat and the only municipality in the county is the Town of Lake City. Hinsdale County is named for George A. Hinsdale, a... , La Plata La Plata County, Colorado La Plata County is the fourteenth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the La Plata River and the La Plata Mountains. "La plata" is the Spanish language word for "silver". The United States Census Bureau estimated that the... , and Rio Grande Rio Grande County, Colorado Rio Grande County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is named for the Rio Grande , which flows through the county. The county population was 12,413 at U.S. Census 2000... counties from portions of Conejos Conejos County, Colorado Conejos County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 8,400 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is the unincorporated town of Conejos.-History:... , Costilla Costilla County, Colorado Costilla County is the ninth least populous of the 64 counties in the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 3,663 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado.- History :... , and Lake Lake County, Colorado Lake County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The highest natural point in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountains is the summit of Mount Elbert in Lake County at 14,440 feet elevation. The county population was 7,812 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat... counties.
	February 9	The Territory of Colorado establishes the Colorado School of Mines Colorado School of Mines The Colorado School of Mines is a small public teaching and research university devoted to engineering and applied science, with special expertise in the development and stewardship of the Earth's natural resources. Located in Golden, Colorado, CSM was ranked 29th, in America among national... .
	February 9	The Territory of Colorado abolishes Platte County Platte County, Colorado Territory Platte County was an unorganized county of the Territory of Colorado that existed for two years from 1872 to 1874. Platte County was created from, and reverted to, Weld County, Colorado.-History:... after organizers fail to secure voter approval. The territory of the county is returned to Weld County Weld County, Colorado As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile... .
	February 6	The Territory of Colorado abolishes Greenwood County Greenwood County, Colorado Territory Greenwood County was a county of the Territory of Colorado that existed for four years from 1870 to 1874.-History:On November 2, 1870, the Colorado General Assembly created Greenwood County from former Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal land and the eastern portion of Huerfano County... and divides its territory between Elbert County Elbert County, Colorado Elbert County is the 21st most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,872 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Kiowa... and Bent County Bent County, Colorado Bent County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county is named in honor of frontier trader William Bent. The county population was 5,998 at U.S. Census 2000... .
	February 3	\|The Territory of Colorado creates Elbert County Elbert County, Colorado Elbert County is the 21st most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 19,872 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Kiowa... from a portion of Douglas County Douglas County, Colorado Douglas County is the eighth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado, in the United States. The county is located midway between Colorado's two largest cities: Denver and Colorado Springs... , and Grand County Grand County, Colorado Grand County is the 21st largest of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 12,442 at U.S. Census 2000... from a portion of Summit County Summit County, Colorado Summit County is the 19th most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 23,538 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Breckenridge... .
1873	September 17	The Denver and Boulder Valley Railroad reaches Boulder.
1873	April 4	U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America... appoints Samuel Hitt Elbert Samuel Hitt Elbert Samuel Hitt Elbert served as Governor of the Territory of Colorado and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Colorado .... as the sixth Governor of the Territory of Colorado.
1872	December 15	The Colorado Central Railroad Colorado Central Railroad The Colorado Central Railroad was a U.S. railroad company that operated in Colorado and southeastern Wyoming in the late 19th century. Originally founded in the Colorado Territory in the wake of the Colorado Gold Rush to ship gold from the mountains, it eventually expanded from its initial... reaches Black Hawk Black Hawk, Colorado The historic City of Black Hawk is a Home Rule Municipality located in Gilpin County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 118 at U.S. Census 2000, making Black Hawk the least populous city in Colorado... .
	October 9	The first Southern Colorado Agricultural and Industrial Exposition Colorado State Fair Colorado State Fair is a event held annually in Pueblo, Colorado. The Fair has been a traditional since October 9, 1872. The fair was originally held by the Southern Colorado Agricultural and Industrial Association and received no cash assistance from the community or the State. It was incorporated... is held in Pueblo Pueblo, Colorado Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States.... . The exposition will become the Colorado State Fair Colorado State Fair Colorado State Fair is a event held annually in Pueblo, Colorado. The Fair has been a traditional since October 9, 1872. The fair was originally held by the Southern Colorado Agricultural and Industrial Association and received no cash assistance from the community or the State. It was incorporated... .
	October 2	The Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad The Denver, South Park, and Pacific Railroad was a historic narrow gauge railway that operated in Colorado in the western United States in the late 19th century. The railroad opened up the first rail routes to a large section of the central Colorado mining district in the decades of the mineral boom... incorporates in Denver. The company plans to build a narrow gauge railway from Denver through South Park South Park (Colorado basin) South Park is a high intermontane grassland basin, approximately 10,000 ft in elevation, in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado. It encompasses approximately 1,000 square miles around the headwaters of the South Platte River in Park County approximately 60 mi southwest of Denver... to the Gunnison River Gunnison River The Gunnison River is a tributary of the Colorado River, long, in the Southwest state of Colorado. It is the fifth largest tributary of the Colorado River, with a mean flow of 4320 ft³/s .-Description:... and west through the Utah Territory Utah Territory The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah.... .
	June 15	The Denver and Rio Grande Railway reaches Pueblo Pueblo, Colorado Pueblo is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. The population was 106,595 in 2010 census, making it the 246th most populous city in the United States.... .
	February 11	The Territory of Colorado creates Platte County Platte County, Colorado Territory Platte County was an unorganized county of the Territory of Colorado that existed for two years from 1872 to 1874. Platte County was created from, and reverted to, Weld County, Colorado.-History:... from the eastern portion of Weld County Weld County, Colorado As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile... .
1871	October 27	The Denver and Rio Grande Railway is completed from Denver to the new town of Colorado Springs located five miles (8 km) east of Colorado City.
1870	October 27	The Denver and Rio Grande Railway incorporates in Denver. The company plans to build a narrow gauge railway from Denver south to Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census... ; El Paso, Texas El Paso, Texas El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States... ; and on to Mexico City Mexico City Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole... . The railway would intersect all the transcontinental routes built south of Denver.
	September 22	The Colorado Central Railroad Colorado Central Railroad The Colorado Central Railroad was a U.S. railroad company that operated in Colorado and southeastern Wyoming in the late 19th century. Originally founded in the Colorado Territory in the wake of the Colorado Gold Rush to ship gold from the mountains, it eventually expanded from its initial... reaches Golden.
	August 15	The Kansas Pacific Railroad is completed to Denver. The railroad connects Denver to Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties... and the east, the first all-rail transcontinental route.
	June 22	The Denver Pacific Railroad is completed to Denver. The railroad connects Denver to the Union Pacific mainline at Cheyenne Cheyenne, Wyoming Cheyenne is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Wyoming and the county seat of Laramie County. It is the principal city of the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Laramie County. The population is 59,466 at the 2010 census. Cheyenne is the... in the Wyoming Territory Wyoming Territory The Territory of Wyoming was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 25, 1868, until July 10, 1890, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Wyoming. Cheyenne was the territorial capital... .
	April 1	1870 United States Census enumerates the population of the Territory of Colorado, later determined to be 39,864.
	February 11	The Territory of Colorado creates Bent Bent County, Colorado Bent County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county is named in honor of frontier trader William Bent. The county population was 5,998 at U.S. Census 2000... and Greenwood Greenwood County, Colorado Territory Greenwood County was a county of the Territory of Colorado that existed for four years from 1870 to 1874.-History:On November 2, 1870, the Colorado General Assembly created Greenwood County from former Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal land and the eastern portion of Huerfano County... counties from former Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal land and portions of Huerfano County Huerfano County, Colorado Huerfano County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the Huerfano Butte, a local landmark. The county population was 7,862 at U.S. Census 2000...

1860s

Year	Date	Event
1869	November 13	The Denver Gas Company Xcel Energy Xcel Energy, Inc. is a public utility company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving customers in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Primary services are electricity and natural gas... incorporates in Denver.
	July 4	Deer Trail Deer Trail, Colorado The town of Deer Trail is a Statutory Town in south-southeastern Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States. Deer Trail is situated along Interstate 70, approximately east of Denver. The population was 598 at the 2000 census.- History :... hosts the world's first organized rodeo Rodeo Rodeo is a competitive sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States,... .
	June 14	U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America... appoints Edward M. McCook Edward M. McCook Edward Moody McCook was a lawyer, politician, distinguished Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, American diplomat, and Governor of the Territory of Colorado. He was a member of the famed "Fighting McCook" family of Ohio... as the fifth Governor of the Territory of Colorado.
1867	November 18	The Union Pacific Railroad Union Pacific Railroad The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman.... arrives at Julesburg, Colorado Julesburg, Colorado The historic town of Julesburg is a statutory town that is the county seat of Sedgwick County, Colorado, United States. The town is located on the north side of the South Platte River. The population was 1,467 at the U.S. Census 2000... . Only nine miles (14 km) of the Union Pacific mainline are built through the northeast corner of the Territory of Colorado.
1867	April 24	U.S. President Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American... appoints Alexander Cameron Hunt Alexander Cameron Hunt Alexander Cameron Hunt was the fourth Governor of the Territory of Colorado serving from 1867-1869 as a member of the Republican Party.... as the fourth Governor of the Territory of Colorado.
1866	December 29	The Territory of Colorado creates Saguache County Saguache County, Colorado Saguache County is the seventh most extensive of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county name comes from a Ute language word meaning “blue earth” or “water at blue earth”. The county population was 5,917 at U.S. Census 2000... from portions of Lake Lake County, Colorado Lake County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The highest natural point in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountains is the summit of Mount Elbert in Lake County at 14,440 feet elevation. The county population was 7,812 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat... and Costilla Costilla County, Colorado Costilla County is the ninth least populous of the 64 counties in the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 3,663 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado.- History :... counties.
	March 6	General Kit Carson Kit Carson Christopher Houston "Kit" Carson was an American frontiersman and Indian fighter. Carson left home in rural present-day Missouri at age 16 and became a Mountain man and trapper in the West. Carson explored the west to California, and north through the Rocky Mountains. He lived among and married... takes command of Fort Garland Fort Garland Fort Garland , Colorado, USA, was designed to house two companies of soldiers to protect settlers in the San Luis Valley, which was the Territory of New Mexico... in the San Luis Valley San Luis Valley The San Luis Valley is an extensive alpine valley in the U.S. states of Colorado and New Mexico covering approximately and sitting at an average elevation of above sea level. The valley sits atop the Rio Grande Rift and is drained to the south by the Rio Grande River, which rises in the San Juan... to make peace with the Ute Nation.
	February 9	The Territory of Colorado creates Las Animas County Las Animas County, Colorado Las Animas County has the largest area of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Las Animas County takes its name from the Mexican Spanish name of the Purgatoire River, originally called El Río de las Ánimas Perdidas en Purgatorio, which means "River of the Lost Souls in... from a portion of Huerfano County Huerfano County, Colorado Huerfano County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the Huerfano Butte, a local landmark. The county population was 7,862 at U.S. Census 2000... .
1865	October 17	U.S. President Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American... appoints Alexander Cummings Alexander Cummings (territorial governor) Alexander Cummings was the third Governor of the Territory of Colorado from 1865–1867, serving as a member of the Republican Party.Alexander Cummings was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on November 11, 1810... of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to... as the third Governor of the Territory of Colorado.
1864	November 29	Colonel (and the Reverend) John Chivington John Chivington John Milton Chivington was a colonel in the United States Army who served in the American Indian Wars during the Colorado War and the New Mexico Campaigns of the American Civil War... orders his troops to attack Cheyenne Cheyenne Cheyenne are a Native American people of the Great Plains, who are of the Algonquian language family. The Cheyenne Nation is composed of two united tribes, the Só'taeo'o and the Tsétsêhéstâhese .The Cheyenne are thought to have branched off other tribes of Algonquian stock inhabiting lands... and Arapaho Arapaho The Arapaho are a tribe of Native Americans historically living on the eastern plains of Colorado and Wyoming. They were close allies of the Cheyenne tribe and loosely aligned with the Sioux. Arapaho is an Algonquian language closely related to Gros Ventre, whose people are seen as an early... encamped in peace along Sand Creek Sand Creek Massacre As conflict between Indians and white settlers and soldiers in Colorado continued, many of the Cheyenne and Arapaho, including bands under Cheyenne chiefs Black Kettle and White Antelope, were resigned to negotiate peace. The chiefs had sought to maintain peace in spite of pressures from whites... in the Sand Creek Massacre Sand Creek Massacre As conflict between Indians and white settlers and soldiers in Colorado continued, many of the Cheyenne and Arapaho, including bands under Cheyenne chiefs Black Kettle and White Antelope, were resigned to negotiate peace. The chiefs had sought to maintain peace in spite of pressures from whites... .
	May 13	A flash flood Flash flood A flash flood is a rapid flooding of geomorphic low-lying areas—washes, rivers, dry lakes and basins. It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a storm, hurricane, or tropical storm or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields... on Cherry Creek Cherry Creek (Colorado) Cherry Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, long, in Colorado in the United States.-Location:Cherry Creek rises in the high plateau, east of the Front Range, in northwestern El Paso County... sweeps away most low-lying structures of Denver City and separates many residents from their local saloons and brothels.
	March 3	Governor John Evans John Evans (governor) John Evans was a U.S. politician, physician, railroad promoter, Governor of the Territory of Colorado, and namesake of Evanston, Illinois; Evans, Colorado; and Mount Evans, Colorado... and the Reverend John Chivington John Chivington John Milton Chivington was a colonel in the United States Army who served in the American Indian Wars during the Colorado War and the New Mexico Campaigns of the American Civil War... found Colorado Seminary, renamed the University of Denver University of Denver The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings.... in 1880.
1862	March 28	Colorado and New Mexico New Mexico New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S... volunteers repulse invading Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... cavalry Cavalry Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms... at the Battle of Glorieta Pass Battle of Glorieta Pass The Battle of Glorieta Pass, fought from March 26 to 28, 1862 in northern New Mexico Territory, was the decisive battle of the New Mexico Campaign during the American Civil War. Dubbed the "Gettysburg of the West" by some historians, it was intended as the killer blow by Confederate forces to break... .
	March 26	U.S. President Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and... appoints John Evans John Evans (governor) John Evans was a U.S. politician, physician, railroad promoter, Governor of the Territory of Colorado, and namesake of Evanston, Illinois; Evans, Colorado; and Mount Evans, Colorado... of Illinois Illinois Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,... as the second Governor of the Territory of Colorado.
	March 10	An expeditionary force New Mexico Campaign The New Mexico Campaign was a military operation of the American Civil War from February to April 1862 in which Confederate Brigadier General Henry Hopkins Sibley invaded the northern New Mexico Territory in an attempt to gain control of the Southwest, including the gold fields of Colorado and the... of Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... cavalry Cavalry Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms... captures Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census... for the Confederacy Confederate States of America The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S... .
1861	December 3	The Territory of Colorado reincorporates the City of Denver, Auraria, and Highland as the City of Denver, still known as Denver City.
	November 7	The Territory of Colorado renames Guadalupe County Guadalupe County, Colorado Territory Guadalupe County was one of the original 17 counties created by the Territory of Colorado in 1861. Guadalupe County existed for only six days before being renamed Conejos County.-History:... as Conejos County Conejos County, Colorado Conejos County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado in the United States. The county population was 8,400 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is the unincorporated town of Conejos.-History:... after six days.
	November 1	The Territory of Colorado creates 17 counties: Arapahoe Arapahoe County, Colorado As of the census of 2000, there were 487,967 people, 190,909 households, and 125,809 families residing in the county. The population density was 608 people per square mile . There were 196,835 housing units at an average density of 245 per square mile... , Boulder Boulder County, Colorado Boulder County is the sixth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county seat is Boulder. The most populous municipality in the county and the county seat is the City of Boulder... , Clear Creek Clear Creek County, Colorado Clear Creek County is one of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 9,322 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Georgetown... , Costilla Costilla County, Colorado Costilla County is the ninth least populous of the 64 counties in the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 3,663 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado.- History :... , Douglas Douglas County, Colorado Douglas County is the eighth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado, in the United States. The county is located midway between Colorado's two largest cities: Denver and Colorado Springs... , El Paso El Paso County, Colorado El Paso County is the most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States, now more populous than Denver County. The United States Census Bureau concluded that the county population was 622,371 in 2010. In recent years, the population had come closer to that of Denver... , Fremont Fremont County, Colorado Fremont County is the thirteenth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county is named for explorer and presidential candidate John C. Frémont. The county population was 46,824 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Cañon City. The Cañon City... , Gilpin Gilpin County, Colorado Gilpin County is the second least extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Gilpin County was named after Colonel William Gilpin, the first Governor of the Territory of Colorado. The county population was 4,757 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Central City... , Guadalupe Guadalupe County, Colorado Territory Guadalupe County was one of the original 17 counties created by the Territory of Colorado in 1861. Guadalupe County existed for only six days before being renamed Conejos County.-History:... , Huerfano Huerfano County, Colorado Huerfano County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the Huerfano Butte, a local landmark. The county population was 7,862 at U.S. Census 2000... , Jefferson Jefferson County, Colorado Jefferson County , whose slogan is the "Gateway to the Rocky Mountains", is the fourth most populous of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. Located along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Jefferson County is adjacent to the west side of the state capital, Denver.... , Lake Lake County, Colorado Lake County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The highest natural point in Colorado and the entire Rocky Mountains is the summit of Mount Elbert in Lake County at 14,440 feet elevation. The county population was 7,812 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat... , Larimer Larimer County, Colorado Larimer County is the seventh most populous and the ninth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is located at the northern end of the Front Range, at the edge of the Colorado Eastern Plains along the border with Wyoming... , Park Park County, Colorado Park County is the 17th most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county was named after the large geographic region known as South Park, which was named by early fur traders and trappers in the area. The geographic center of the State of Colorado is... , Pueblo Pueblo County, Colorado Pueblo County is the tenth most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county was named for the historic city of Pueblo which took its name from the Spanish language word meaning "town" or "village". The United States Census Bureau estimates that the... , Summit Summit County, Colorado Summit County is the 19th most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States. The county population was 23,538 at U.S. Census 2000. The county seat is Breckenridge... , and Weld County Weld County, Colorado As of the census of 2000, there were 180,936 people, 63,247 households, and 45,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile . There were 66,194 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile... .
	September 9	The first session of the Colorado General Assembly Colorado General Assembly The Colorado General Assembly is the state legislature of the State of Colorado.-Constitutional definition:The Colorado Constitution establishes a system of government based on the separation of powers doctrine with power divided among three "departments": executive, legislative and judicial... opens in Denver City.
	June 6	Governor Steele Robert Williamson Steele Robert Williamson Steele was Governor of the extralegal Territory of Jefferson, which existed in the western United States of America from 1859 to 1861, when it was replaced by the Territory of Colorado.-Early life:... issues a proclamation declaring the Territory of Jefferson officially disbanded.
	May 29	Governor Gilpin William Gilpin (governor) William Gilpin was a 19th century U.S. explorer, politician, land speculator, and futurist writer about the American West. He served as military officer in the United States Army during several wars, accompanied John C. Frémont on his second expedition through the West, and was instrumental in the... arrives in Denver City.
	April 12	South Carolina South Carolina South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence... artillery opened fire on Fort Sumter Fort Sumter Fort Sumter is a Third System masonry coastal fortification located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The fort is best known as the site upon which the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter.- Construction :... in the first engagement of the American Civil War American Civil War The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25... .
	March 25	U.S. President Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and... appoints William Gilpin William Gilpin (governor) William Gilpin was a 19th century U.S. explorer, politician, land speculator, and futurist writer about the American West. He served as military officer in the United States Army during several wars, accompanied John C. Frémont on his second expedition through the West, and was instrumental in the... of Missouri Missouri Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It... as the first Governor of the Territory of Colorado.
	February 28	Outgoing U.S. President James Buchanan James Buchanan James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century.... signs the organic act Organic Act An Organic Act, in United States law, is an Act of the United States Congress that establishes a territory of the United States or an agency to manage certain federal lands. The first such act was the Northwest Ordinance, enacted by the Congress of the Confederation in 1787 in order to create the... creating the free Territory of Colorado.
	January 29	U.S. President James Buchanan James Buchanan James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century.... signs the act of admission admitting the eastern portion of the Kansas Territory Kansas Territory The Territory of Kansas was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until January 29, 1861, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Kansas.... to the Union United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... as the State of Kansas. The western portion of the Kansas Territory, and its goldfields, becomes unorganized territory.
1860	November 13	The Jefferson Territorial Legislature moves from Denver City to Golden City Golden, Colorado The City of Golden is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the edge of the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush on 16 June 1859, the mining camp was... .
	November 7	Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and... is elected President of the United States President of the United States The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.... . Seven slave states will subsequently secede from the Union United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... .
	August 7	Governor Steele Robert Williamson Steele Robert Williamson Steele was Governor of the extralegal Territory of Jefferson, which existed in the western United States of America from 1859 to 1861, when it was replaced by the Territory of Colorado.-Early life:... issues a proclamation proposing the merger of the Jefferson Territory with the Kansas Territory Kansas Territory The Territory of Kansas was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until January 29, 1861, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Kansas.... . The Kansas Territory rejects the proposal.
	April 1	The 1860 United States Census attempts to enumerate the population of the goldfields. The count of 34,277 may have been substantially less than the actual population since many of the miners were in the backcountry prospecting for gold.
	January 23	The second session of the Jefferson Territorial Legislature meets in Denver City.
	January 1	Samuel Beall Samuel Beall Samuel W. Beall was the second Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. He was born in Maryland; in 1827 he graduated from Union College in Schenectady, New York. He moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin in 1835, where he made a fortune in land speculation; in the 1840s he settled in Taycheedah... writes a memorial to the Congress of the United States requesting federal approval for the newly formed Territory of Jefferson.

1850s

Year	Date	Event
1859	December 3	The Jefferson Territory grants a charter to the consolidated City of Denver, Auraria, and Highland.
	November 28	The Jefferson Territory creates 12 counties: Arrappahoe Arrappahoe County, Jefferson Territory Arrappahoe County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861. The county name was also spelled Arapaho County, Arapahoe County, Arrapahoe County, and Arappahoe County.-History:In July 1858, gold was discovered... , Cheyenne Cheyenne County, Jefferson Territory Cheyenne County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861.-History:... , El Paso El Paso County, Jefferson Territory El Paso County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861.-History:... , Fountain Fountain County, Jefferson Territory Fountain County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861.-History:... , Heele Heele County, Jefferson Territory Heele County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861. It may also have been known as Steele County.-History:... , Jackson Jackson County, Jefferson Territory Jackson County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861.-History:... , Jefferson Jefferson County, Jefferson Territory Jefferson County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861. Its territory covered a broad swath surrounding the region of the Pike's Peak Gold Rush, and was a functioning democratically elected government until... , Mountain, North North County, Jefferson Territory North County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861.-History:... , Park Park County, Jefferson Territory Park County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861.-History:... , St. Vrain, and Saratoga County Saratoga County, Jefferson Territory Saratoga County was a county of the extralegal United States Territory of Jefferson that existed from November 28, 1859, until February 28, 1861.-History:... .
	November 7	The first session of the Jefferson Territorial Legislature meets in Denver City.
	October 24	Voters of the goldfields approve the Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson by a vote of 1,852 to 280 and elect Robert Williamson Steele Robert Williamson Steele Robert Williamson Steele was Governor of the extralegal Territory of Jefferson, which existed in the western United States of America from 1859 to 1861, when it was replaced by the Territory of Colorado.-Early life:... the first (and only) Governor of the Territory of Jefferson.
	September 24	Voters of the goldfields reject a proposed State of Jefferson.
	June 16	Golden City is established 13 miles (21 km) west of Denver City in northwestern Kansas Territory Kansas Territory The Territory of Kansas was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until January 29, 1861, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Kansas.... .
	May 6	Prospector John H. Gregory discovers the first hard rock gold in the region, a rich gold-bearing vein (the Gregory Lode) in a mountain ravine (Gregory Gulch) 28 miles (45 km) west of Denver City in northwestern Kansas Territory Kansas Territory The Territory of Kansas was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until January 29, 1861, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Kansas.... . Gregory Gulch soon becomes the center of gold mining activity in the region.
	April 23	William Byers William Byers William Newton Byers was a founding figure of Omaha, Nebraska, serving as the first deputy surveyor of the Nebraska Territory, on the first Omaha City Council, and as a member of the first Nebraska Territorial Legislature.... publishes the first edition of the Rocky Mountain News Rocky Mountain News The Rocky Mountain News was a daily newspaper published in Denver, Colorado, United States from April 23, 1859, until February 27, 2009. It was owned by the E. W. Scripps Company from 1926 until its closing. As of March 2006, the Monday-Friday circulation was 255,427... , the region's first newspaper, at Denver City.
	February 10	The Boulder City Town Company is established to develop the Boulder City goldcamp in southwestern Nebraska Territory Nebraska Territory The Territory of Nebraska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until March 1, 1867, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Nebraska. The Nebraska Territory was created by the Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854... .
1858	November 22	William Larimer William Larimer, Jr. William Larimer, Jr. was a Kansas state senator, American settler, and land developer who is best known as the founder of Denver, Colorado in 1858. Larimer often went by "General Larimer", having acquired the title in the Pennsylvania Militia.... establishes the rival townsite of Denver City across Cherry Creek Cherry Creek (Colorado) Cherry Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, long, in Colorado in the United States.-Location:Cherry Creek rises in the high plateau, east of the Front Range, in northwestern El Paso County... from Auraria.
	November 1	Green Russell establishes the townsite of Auraria near the Cherry Creek Diggings in northwestern Kansas Territory Kansas Territory The Territory of Kansas was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until January 29, 1861, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Kansas.... .
		Placer gold deposits are found at several locations near the South Platte River South Platte River The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American Midwest and the American Southwest/Mountain West, located in the U.S. states of Colorado and Nebraska... in northwestern Kansas Territory Kansas Territory The Territory of Kansas was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until January 29, 1861, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Kansas.... .
	September	News of the discovery of gold along the South Platte River South Platte River The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American Midwest and the American Southwest/Mountain West, located in the U.S. states of Colorado and Nebraska... reaches Omaha Omaha, Nebraska Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River... , precipitating the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.
	August	The townsite of Montana City is established one mile (1.6 km) north of the Little Dry Creek Diggings.
	July	Prospector Green Russell discovers gold Gold Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a... near the mouth of Little Dry Creek in northwestern Kansas Territory Kansas Territory The Territory of Kansas was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until January 29, 1861, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Kansas.... .
		The U.S. Army builds Fort Garland Fort Garland Fort Garland , Colorado, USA, was designed to house two companies of soldiers to protect settlers in the San Luis Valley, which was the Territory of New Mexico... in the San Luis Valley San Luis Valley The San Luis Valley is an extensive alpine valley in the U.S. states of Colorado and New Mexico covering approximately and sitting at an average elevation of above sea level. The valley sits atop the Rio Grande Rift and is drained to the south by the Rio Grande River, which rises in the San Juan... to replace Fort Massachusetts six miles to the north.
1857	summer	Mexican-American prospectors from the Territory of New Mexico dig for gold along the South Platte River South Platte River The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American Midwest and the American Southwest/Mountain West, located in the U.S. states of Colorado and Nebraska... below the mouth of Little Dry Creek in northwestern Kansas Territory Kansas Territory The Territory of Kansas was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 30, 1854, until January 29, 1861, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Kansas.... .
1852	June 22	The U.S. Army establishes Fort Massachusetts in the San Luis Valley San Luis Valley The San Luis Valley is an extensive alpine valley in the U.S. states of Colorado and New Mexico covering approximately and sitting at an average elevation of above sea level. The valley sits atop the Rio Grande Rift and is drained to the south by the Rio Grande River, which rises in the San Juan... of northern New Mexico Territory New Mexico Territory thumb\|right\|240px\|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of... , the first U.S. fort in what is now Colorado.
1851	April 9	Mexican-American settlers from the area of Taos Taos, New Mexico Taos is a town in Taos County in the north-central region of New Mexico, incorporated in 1934. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,700. Other nearby communities include Ranchos de Taos, Cañon, Taos Canyon, Ranchitos, and El Prado. The town is close to Taos Pueblo, the Native American... establish the village of San Luis de la Culebra in the San Luis Valley San Luis Valley The San Luis Valley is an extensive alpine valley in the U.S. states of Colorado and New Mexico covering approximately and sitting at an average elevation of above sea level. The valley sits atop the Rio Grande Rift and is drained to the south by the Rio Grande River, which rises in the San Juan... of northern New Mexico Territory New Mexico Territory thumb\|right\|240px\|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of... , the first permanent European-American European American A European American is a citizen or resident of the United States who has origins in any of the original peoples of Europe... settlement in what is now Colorado.
1850	June 22	Prospector Lewis Ralston pans ¼ ounce (6 g) of gold near the mouth of Ralston Creek. Unimpressed, the party continues on to the California goldfields California Gold Rush The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to... .

1840s

Year	Date	Event
1849	August 21	Proprietor William Bent William Bent William Wells Bent was a frontier trapper, trader, and rancher in the American West who mediated among the Cheyenne Nation, other Native American tribes and the expanding United States. With his brothers, Bent established a trade business along the Santa Fe Trail. In the early 1830s Bent built an... destroys Bent's Fort Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site Bent's Old Fort is an 1833 fort located in Otero County in southeastern Colorado, USA. William and Charles Bent, along with Ceran St. Vrain, built the fort to trade with Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Plains Indians and trappers for buffalo robes... .
1848	February 2	The United States and Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... sign the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is the peace treaty, largely dictated by the United States to the interim government of a militarily occupied Mexico City, that ended the Mexican-American War on February 2, 1848... ending the Mexican–American War Mexican–American War The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S... . Mexico relinquishes Texas Texas Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in... and its northern territories Mexican Cession The Mexican Cession of 1848 is a historical name in the United States for the region of the present day southwestern United States that Mexico ceded to the U.S... to the United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... , reducing its territorial extent by 55% and its population by 20%.
1848	January 24	James W. Marshall James W. Marshall James Wilson Marshall was an American carpenter and sawmill operator, whose discovery of gold in the American River in California on January 24, 1848 set the stage for the California Gold Rush. The mill property was owned by Johan Sutter who employed Marshall to build his mill... discovers gold at Sutter's Mill Sutter's Mill Sutter's Mill was a sawmill owned by 19th century pioneer John Sutter in partnership with James W. Marshall. It was located in Coloma, California, at the bank of the South Fork American River... , precipitating the California Gold Rush California Gold Rush The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to... .
1846	August 18	Troops under the command of Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny Stephen W. Kearny Stephen Watts Kearny surname also appears as Kearney in some historic sources; August 30, 1794 October 31, 1848), was one of the foremost antebellum frontier officers of the United States Army. He is remembered for his significant contributions in the Mexican-American War, especially the conquest... seize Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census... for the United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... with little resistance.
	July 31	Brigadier General Stephen W. Kearny Stephen W. Kearny Stephen Watts Kearny surname also appears as Kearney in some historic sources; August 30, 1794 October 31, 1848), was one of the foremost antebellum frontier officers of the United States Army. He is remembered for his significant contributions in the Mexican-American War, especially the conquest... stages his troops at Bent's Fort Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site Bent's Old Fort is an 1833 fort located in Otero County in southeastern Colorado, USA. William and Charles Bent, along with Ceran St. Vrain, built the fort to trade with Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Plains Indians and trappers for buffalo robes... in preparation for an invasion of New Mexico New Mexico New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S... .
	May 13	The United States declares war on Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... .
	April 25	First skirmish Thornton Affair The Thornton Affair, also known as the Thornton Skirmish, Thornton's Defeat, or Rancho Carricitos was a battle between the military forces of the United States and Mexico. It served as the primary justification for U.S. President James K. Polk's declaration of war against Mexico in 1846,... of the Mexican–American War Mexican–American War The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S... .
1845	December 29	The United States admits the Republic of Texas Republic of Texas The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S... to the Union United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... as the slave State of Texas. The boundaries of the state remain undefined. Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... maintains that Texas is its territory and will fight to retain it.

1830s

Year	Date	Event
1837	spring	Frontier trader Ceran de Hault de Lassus de Saint Vrain establishes Fort Saint Vrain Fort Saint Vrain Fort Saint Vrain was an 1837 fur trading post built by the Bent, St. Vrain Company, and located at the confluence of Saint Vrain Creek and the South Platte River, about 20 miles east of the Rocky Mountains in the unorganized territory of the United States. This area later became part od the State... at the confluence of the South Platte River South Platte River The South Platte River is one of the two principal tributaries of the Platte River and itself a major river of the American Midwest and the American Southwest/Mountain West, located in the U.S. states of Colorado and Nebraska... with Saint Vrain Creek.
1836	May 14	Texians force captured General Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón to sign the Treaties of Velasco Treaties of Velasco The Treaties of Velasco were two documents signed at Velasco, Texas, on May 14, 1836, between Antonio López de Santa Anna of Mexico and the Republic of Texas, in the aftermath of the Battle of San Jacinto .... recognizing the independence of the Republic of Texas Republic of Texas The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S... . Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... never ratifies these treaties.
1836	May 2	Texians declare the independence Texas Declaration of Independence The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, and formally signed the following day after errors were noted in the... of the Republic of Texas Republic of Texas The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S... from Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... .
1835	October 2	The Texian Revolt begins with the Battle of Gonzales Battle of Gonzales The Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. It was fought near Gonzales, Texas, on October 2, 1835, between rebellious Texian settlers and a detachment of Mexican army troops.... .
1833	spring	Frontier trader William Bent William Bent William Wells Bent was a frontier trapper, trader, and rancher in the American West who mediated among the Cheyenne Nation, other Native American tribes and the expanding United States. With his brothers, Bent established a trade business along the Santa Fe Trail. In the early 1830s Bent built an... establishes Bent's Fort Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site Bent's Old Fort is an 1833 fort located in Otero County in southeastern Colorado, USA. William and Charles Bent, along with Ceran St. Vrain, built the fort to trade with Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho Plains Indians and trappers for buffalo robes... on the north bank of the Arkansas River Arkansas River The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas... on the Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route through central North America that connected Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1822 by William Becknell, it served as a vital commercial and military highway until the introduction of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880... .
1831		Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... ratifies the Adams–Onís Treaty with the United States.

1820s

Year	Date	Event
1821	September 1	William Bucknell William Bucknell William Bucknell , born near Marcus Hook, in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, was a real estate dealer and agent, builder of gas and water works, and founder of Bucknell University.... and a party of frontier traders leave New Franklin, Missouri New Franklin, Missouri New Franklin is a city in Howard County, Missouri, United States. The population was 1,145 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.The country music singer Sara Evans was born here in 1971.-Geography:... bound for Santa Fe Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census... by way of the upper Arkansas Arkansas River The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas... and Purgatoire Purgatoire River The Purgatoire River is a river in southeastern Colorado, United States. The river is also known locally as the Purgatory River or the Picketwire River... rivers. The Bucknell route will become the Santa Fe Trail Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century transportation route through central North America that connected Missouri with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1822 by William Becknell, it served as a vital commercial and military highway until the introduction of the railroad to Santa Fe in 1880... .
	August 24	The Kingdom of Spain recognizes the independence of Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... with the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba Treaty of Córdoba The Treaty of Córdova established Mexican independence from Spain at the conclusion of the Mexican War of Independence. It was signed on August 24, 1821 in Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico. The signatories were the head of the Army of the Three Guarantees, Agustín de Iturbide, and acting on behalf of the... .
	February 22	The Adams–Onís Treaty takes effect defining the new border between the territory of Spain Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... and the United States.

1810s

Year	Date	Event
1819	February 22	The United States and Spain Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... sign the Adams–Onís Treaty. The United States relinquinshes its claim to land west of the 100th meridian west of Greenwich and south and west of the Arkansas River Arkansas River The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast as it traverses the U.S. states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The river's initial basin starts in the Western United States in Colorado, specifically the Arkansas... and south of the 42nd parallel north 42nd parallel north The 42nd parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 42 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean.... . Spain relinquishes Florida Spanish Florida Spanish Florida refers to the Spanish territory of Florida, which formed part of the Captaincy General of Cuba, the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and the Spanish Empire. Originally extending over what is now the southeastern United States, but with no defined boundaries, la Florida was a component of... .
1810	August 1	Padre Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla y Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor proclaims the independence Grito de Dolores The Grito de Dolores also known as El Grito de la Independencia , uttered from the small town of Dolores, near Guanajuato on April 19, 1810 is the event that marks the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence and is the most important national holiday observed in Mexico... of Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... from the Kingdom of Spain in the village of Dolores Dolores Hidalgo Dolores Hidalgo Dolores Hidalgo Dolores Hidalgo (in full, Dolores Hidalgo Cuna de la Independencia Nacional is the name of a city and the surrounding municipality in the north-central part of the Mexican state of Guanajuato.... .

1800s

Year	Date	Event
1807	February 26	Spanish cavalrymen arrest a U.S. Army reconnaissance expedition Pike expedition The Pike Expedition was a military effort authorized by the United States government to explore the south and west of the recent Louisiana Purchase. Roughly contemporaneous with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, it was led by United States Army Captain Zebulon Pike, Jr... led by Captain Zebulon Pike Zebulon Pike Zebulon Montgomery Pike Jr. was an American officer and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado is named. As a United States Army captain in 1806-1807, he led the Pike Expedition to explore and document the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase and to find the headwaters of the Red River,... in the San Luis Valley San Luis Valley The San Luis Valley is an extensive alpine valley in the U.S. states of Colorado and New Mexico covering approximately and sitting at an average elevation of above sea level. The valley sits atop the Rio Grande Rift and is drained to the south by the Rio Grande River, which rises in the San Juan... . The reconnaissance party is taken to Chihuahua Chihuahua, Chihuahua The city of Chihuahua is the state capital of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. It has a population of about 825,327. The predominant activity is industry, including domestic heavy, light industries, consumer goods production, and to a smaller extent maquiladoras.-History:It has been said that the... , and then expelled from Mexico Mexico The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of... .
1806	November 27	Zebulon Pike Zebulon Pike Zebulon Montgomery Pike Jr. was an American officer and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado is named. As a United States Army captain in 1806-1807, he led the Pike Expedition to explore and document the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase and to find the headwaters of the Red River,... abandons his attempt to climb the great summit of the Mexican Mountains Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States... now known as Pikes Peak Pikes Peak Pikes Peak is a mountain in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, west of Colorado Springs, Colorado, in El Paso County in the United States of America.... .
1806	November 15	A U.S. Army reconnaissance expedition Pike expedition The Pike Expedition was a military effort authorized by the United States government to explore the south and west of the recent Louisiana Purchase. Roughly contemporaneous with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, it was led by United States Army Captain Zebulon Pike, Jr... led by Captain Zebulon Pike Zebulon Pike Zebulon Montgomery Pike Jr. was an American officer and explorer for whom Pikes Peak in Colorado is named. As a United States Army captain in 1806-1807, he led the Pike Expedition to explore and document the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase and to find the headwaters of the Red River,... first sights the great summit of the Mexican Mountains Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States... that will later bear his name.
1803	December 20	France French First Republic The French First Republic was founded on 22 September 1792, by the newly established National Convention. The First Republic lasted until the declaration of the First French Empire in 1804 under Napoleon I... turns its colony of La Louisiane Louisiana (New France) Louisiana or French Louisiana was an administrative district of New France. Under French control from 1682–1763 and 1800–03, the area was named in honor of Louis XIV, by French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle... over to the United States. The United States and Spain Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... disagree over the western boundary of the territory. The United States maintains that Louisiana includes the Mississippi River Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains... and its entire western watershed Drainage basin A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean... . Spain maintains that Louisiana includes the Mississippi River and all land within approximately 60 nautical miles (111 km) of the river. The area in dispute includes all land in the present State of Colorado east of the Continental Divide Continental Divide The Continental Divide of the Americas, or merely the Continental Gulf of Division or Great Divide, is the name given to the principal, and largely mountainous, hydrological divide of the Americas that separates the watersheds that drain into the Pacific Ocean from those river systems that drain... and the Sangre de Cristo Divide Sangre de Cristo Mountains The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are the southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains. They are located in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico in the United States... .
1803	April 30	The United States and the French Republic French First Republic The French First Republic was founded on 22 September 1792, by the newly established National Convention. The First Republic lasted until the declaration of the First French Empire in 1804 under Napoleon I... sign the Louisiana Purchase Treaty.
1800	October 1	Under pressure from Napoléon Bonaparte, the Kingdom of Spain Charles IV of Spain Charles IV was King of Spain from 14 December 1788 until his abdication on 19 March 1808.-Early life:... transfers the colony of Luisiana Louisiana (New Spain) Louisiana was the name of an administrative district of the Viceroyalty of New Spain from 1764 to 1803 that represented territory west of the Mississippi River basin, plus New Orleans... back to the French Republic French First Republic The French First Republic was founded on 22 September 1792, by the newly established National Convention. The First Republic lasted until the declaration of the First French Empire in 1804 under Napoleon I... with the secret Third Treaty of San Ildefonso Third Treaty of San Ildefonso The Third Treaty of San Ildefonso was a secretly negotiated treaty between France and Spain in which Spain returned the colonial territory of... .

1770s

Year	Date	Event
1776		A Spanish Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... expedition led by Padres Francisco Atanasio Domínguez and Silvestre Vélez de Escalante searches for an overland route from La Villa Real de la Santa Fé de San Francisco de Asís Santa Fe, New Mexico Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census... to Presidio Reál de San Carlos de Monterey Presidio of Monterey, California The Presidio of Monterey, located in Monterey, California, is an active US Army installation with historic ties to the Spanish colonial era. Currently it is the home of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center .-Spanish fort:... . The expedition fails to reach Monterey Presidio of Monterey, California The Presidio of Monterey, located in Monterey, California, is an active US Army installation with historic ties to the Spanish colonial era. Currently it is the home of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center .-Spanish fort:... , but describes the terrain for a future trade route Old Spanish Trail (trade route) The Old Spanish Trail is a historical trade route which connected the northern New Mexico settlements near or in Santa Fe, New Mexico with that of Los Angeles, California and southern California. Approximately long, it ran through areas of high mountains, arid deserts, and deep canyons. It is... .

1760s

Year	Date	Event
1762	November 13	Fearing the loss of its American territories in the Seven Years War, the Kingdom of France Louis XV of France Louis XV was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1 September 1715 until his death. He succeeded his great-grandfather at the age of five, his first cousin Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, served as Regent of the kingdom until Louis's majority in 1723... transfers its colony of La Louisiane Louisiana (New France) Louisiana or French Louisiana was an administrative district of New France. Under French control from 1682–1763 and 1800–03, the area was named in honor of Louis XIV, by French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle... to the Kingdom of Spain Charles III of Spain Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese... with the secret Treaty of Fontainebleau Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762) The Treaty of Fontainebleau was a secret agreement in which France ceded Louisiana to Spain. The treaty followed the last battle in the French and Indian War, the Battle of Signal Hill in September 1762, which confirmed British control of Canada. However, the associated Seven Years War continued... .

1690s

Year	Date	Event
1692	September 14	Diego de Vargas Zapata y Luján Ponce de León y Contreras completes the reconquest of the Spanish colony of Santa Fe de Nuevo Méjico following the Pueblo Revolt Pueblo Revolt The Pueblo Revolt of 1680, or Popé's Rebellion, was an uprising of several pueblos of the Pueblo people against Spanish colonization of the Americas in the province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México.-Background:... .

1680s

Year	Date	Event
1682	April 9	René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, or Robert de LaSalle was a French explorer. He explored the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico... , claims the Mississippi River Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains... and its watershed Drainage basin A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean... for the Kingdom of France Louis XIV of France Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days... and names the region La Louisiane Louisiana (New France) Louisiana or French Louisiana was an administrative district of New France. Under French control from 1682–1763 and 1800–03, the area was named in honor of Louis XIV, by French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle... in honor of King Louis XIV Louis XIV of France Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days... . La Salle has no idea that the river has the fourth most extensive watershed on Earth with 1236388 mi2.
1680	August 10	Shaman Popé Popé Popé or Po'pay was a Tewa religious leader from Ohkay Owingeh , who led the Pueblo Revolt against Spanish colonial rule in 1680.-Background:... of the Ohkay Owingeh pueblo leads the Pueblo Revolt Pueblo Revolt The Pueblo Revolt of 1680, or Popé's Rebellion, was an uprising of several pueblos of the Pueblo people against Spanish colonization of the Americas in the province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México.-Background:... against the Spanish rulers of Santa Fe de Nuevo Méjico. The Spanish settlers flee to El Paso del Norte.

1590s

Year	Date	Event
1598	July 12	Don Juan de Oñate Salazar establishes the Spanish colony of Santa Fe de Nuevo Méjico at the village of San Juan de los Caballeros at the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico Ohkay Owingeh is a pueblo and census designated place in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, United States. Its elevation is and it is located at . One of its boundaries is contiguous with Española, about north of Santa Fe.... .

1540s

Year	Event
1541	A Spanish military expedition led by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado Francisco Vásquez de Coronado Francisco Vásquez de Coronado y Luján was a Spanish conquistador, who visited New Mexico and other parts of what are now the southwestern United States between 1540 and 1542... , Governor of Nueva Galicia Nueva Galicia El Nuevo Reino de Galicia or Nueva Galicia was an autonomous kingdom of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It was named after Galicia in Spain... , searches the Great Plains Great Plains The Great Plains are a broad expanse of flat land, much of it covered in prairie, steppe and grassland, which lies west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada. This area covers parts of the U.S... for Quivira Quivira Quivira may refer to:Quivira, a place first visited by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado while in search of the mythical Seven Cities of GoldQuivira National Wildlife Refuge, a salt marsh located in south central Kansas... .

1520s

Year	Event
1525	Jicarilla Apache Jicarilla Apache Jicarilla Apache refers to the members of the Jicarilla Apache Nation currently living in New Mexico and speaking a Southern Athabaskan language... migrated to southern Colorado Colorado Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains... and northern New Mexico New Mexico New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S... from Alaska and Northwestern Canada by 1525, and possibly as early as 1300 CE.

Prehistory

Year	Event
1276–1299 CE	A prolonged drought on the Colorado Plateau Colorado Plateau The Colorado Plateau, also called the Colorado Plateau Province, is a physiographic region of the Intermontane Plateaus, roughly centered on the Four Corners region of the southwestern United States. The province covers an area of 337,000 km2 within western Colorado, northwestern New Mexico,... forces many Ancestral Puebloans to migrate into the Rio Grande Valley Rio Grande The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes... .
about 1100 CE	Ancestral Puebloans begin construction of cliff houses on Mesa Verde.
about 550 CE	Ancestral Puebloans move onto Mesa Verde.
8910-8640 BCE	Paleoamericans of the Folsom culture camp at the Lindenmeier Site Lindenmeier Site The Lindenmeier Site is a stratified multi-component archaeological site most famous for its Folsom component. It is located on the former Lindenmeier Ranch, now the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, in northeastern Larimer County, Colorado, United States. The site contains the most extensive... (in what is today Larimer County Larimer County, Colorado Larimer County is the seventh most populous and the ninth most extensive of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado of the United States. The county is located at the northern end of the Front Range, at the edge of the Colorado Eastern Plains along the border with Wyoming... .)
about 14,000 BCE	Paleoamericans begin using the ice-free corridor east of the Rocky Mountains Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States... to migrate throughout the Americas Americas The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily... .

2000s 1900s 1800s 1700s 1600s 1500s Prehistory

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Prehistory

See also