Colorado History

By payteyh
  • Paleo-Indians
    13,000 BCE

    Paleo-Indians

    Early Indian people arrive in Colorado.
  • Period: 1 CE to 400

    Basketmakers

  • Period: 400 to 750

    Modified Basketmakers

  • Period: 750 to 900

    Pueblo 1 Period

  • Period: 900 to 1150

    Pueblo 2 Period

  • Period: 1100 to 1300

    Classic Pueblo Period

    Ancient Puebloans build cliff dwellings.
  • 1200

    Pueblo Migration South

  • 1299

    Ute People Migrate to Four Corners

    The Ute people migrated to the Four Corners region by 1300.
  • 1492

    Christopher Columbus

    Christopher Columbus arrives in the New Worlds.
  • 1540

    Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

    Francisco Vasquez de Coronado explores the southwest and great plains regions of the future United States.

  • Ute People Occupy Colorado

    The Ute tribe arrives from the west and occupies Colorado.
    The Spanish bring livestock to North America and the Utes begin to raise horses and sheep.

  • Jamestown

    Jamestown becomes the first permanent European settlement in North America

  • Robert de La Salle

    French explorer Robert de La Salle claims much of Colorado for France

  • Native American Tribes Move to Colorado

    The Comanche tribe moves onto Colorado’s eastern plains, followed by the Cheyenne and Arapahoe.

  • Juan de Ulibarri

    Juan de Ulibarri claims Colorado for Spain

  • French Explorers and Traders

    French explorers and traders come to Colorado

  • Escalante and Dominguez

    Escalante and Dominguez explore Colorado

  • Declaration of Independence

    The United States becomes a country

  • Louisiana Purchase

    America purchased the Louisiana territory from France.
  • San Luis, the first permanent settlement in Colorado, is established.

    San Luis, the first permanent settlement in Colorado, is established.

    “San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado, was established on April 5, 1851, with a present population of approximately 750. San Luis is predominately Hispanic, with strong ties to Spain's religious, cultural, and artistic traditions.”
  • Colorado Gold Rush begins

    Colorado Gold Rush begins

    Gold is discovered and the Colorado Gold Rush begins.

  • William Larimer, Jr. claimed land and started Denver City.

    “With the discovery of gold in June 1858, the rival towns of Auraria and St. Charles were founded on opposite sides of Cherry Creek. The claim of St. Charles was soon jumped by William Larimer, Jr., who in November 1858 renamed it Denver City for James W. Denver, governor of the Kansas Territory, of which the city was then a part. The site grew during the 1859 “Pikes Peak or bust” gold rush. Denver City and Auraria consolidated in 1860..."
  • The first schools, churches, and theaters in Colorado are established.

    The first schools, churches, and theaters in Colorado are established.

  • The Arapaho and Cheyenne are forced to leave Colorado.

    The Arapaho and Cheyenne are forced to leave Colorado.

  • Telegraph lines link Denver to cities in the east.

    Telegraph lines link Denver to cities in the east.

  • Congress creates the Colorado Territory.

    Congress creates the Colorado Territory.

    William Gilpin is appointed the first territorial governor.
    Slavery is outlawed in Colorado.
  • Sand Creek Massacre

    Sand Creek Massacre

    Between 79 and 500 Cheyenne and Arapaho were killed by the US Army during the Sand Creek Massacre in southeastern Colorado.
  • Denver is named the territorial capital of Colorado.

    Denver is named the territorial capital of Colorado.

  • Major railroads reach Colorado, connecting the state to Cheyenne and Kansas City, and therefore, the rest of the United States.

    Major railroads reach Colorado, connecting the state to Cheyenne and Kansas City, and therefore, the rest of the United States.

    Smaller railroads had been established starting after the gold rush, and many of the railroad tracks followed the paths the miners had used and connected the towns that grew because of the gold rush.