Dear Historians,

I’ve long thought history is the story of how we got to where we are now. While I still think that’s true, I also think we study history to find out the things that have been true throughout the years. In looking at Colorado history, we see a few ideas keep cropping up in all time periods:

1. People live in the balance between their environment and the ways they try to shape their environment.
2. People are always bumping into “outsiders” and trying to figure out ways to live with them.
3. People move around chasing opportunity.

Think about how these ideas are true for Zebulon Pike, Kit Carson, William Green Russell, Chief Ouray, Horace Tabor, and Dust Bowl farmers. History is not just the story of individuals in specific places at specific times. It’s mostly the story of the ideas that make these times and places look the same.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck