Dear Historians,

This is Colorado in 1860–divided between four territories. In the centuries before that, it was divided between as many countries–Spain had its claims, France had its claims, Native people had their claims. Throughout its history, Colorado has been a borderland. An in-between place.

That gives it a rich and complicated history. But the big question we have to ask is this: what drew people here? What is it about this place that convinced people to risk their lives and fortunes to come here? That answer is just as complicated, but it’s the question that drives our understanding of Colorado history.

Sincerely,

Mr. Heimbuck