Colorado Universities Lead Groundbreaking Research into Rocky Mountain Region's Hidden History of Enslavement

Colorado historians and researchers are launching a pioneering initiative to examine the complex history of enslavement across the Rocky Mountain region, including previously unexplored connections to Northern states that are reshaping our understanding of Western settlement patterns.

The collaborative project, led by scholars at University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado College, aims to document and preserve crucial historical records that illuminate how the legacy of slavery influenced Colorado's early development and continues to impact our communities today.

"This research challenges the traditional narrative that slavery was exclusively a Southern institution," explains Dr. Maria Henderson, lead researcher at CU Boulder's History Department. "Understanding this fuller picture of our past helps Colorado communities better address present-day inequities and build more inclusive futures."

"By examining these historical connections, we're uncovering important stories about Colorado's earliest residents and the complex circumstances that shaped our state's formation," says Henderson.

The project has already identified several key findings relevant to Colorado residents:

• Previously unknown connections between Northern enslavers and early Colorado mining operations
• Documentation of wealth from slavery being invested in Colorado's early infrastructure
• Evidence of freed people establishing important communities in the Colorado Territory

Local historians emphasize that this research has particular significance for Colorado Springs, where several historical sites are now being reevaluated in light of new findings about their origins and early funding sources.

The initiative includes a public education component, with plans to develop educational resources for Colorado schools and create interactive exhibits at museums across the Front Range. This will help ensure that Colorado families and students have access to a more complete understanding of our state's complex history.

According to the History Colorado organization, this research project represents one of the most comprehensive efforts to document and understand the far-reaching impacts of slavery on Western state development.

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