Children stand in and in front of a “Winks Mountain Cabins” pickup truck in the 1950s

Black History Trail

History Colorado highlights the African-American experience in Colorado with the Black History Trail, which features both virtual and in-person guided experiences to various historical narratives to trace Black history in Colorado from pioneer days to modern times.

Through this initiative, we have the opportunity to explore the often disregarded roles African-Americans have played in exploring the West, and in building Colorado's history. From fur traders and Native American interpreters to actresses and entrepreneurs, these many stories come together on the Black History Trail.

The Black History Trail initiative connects sites, places, and stories across the state, utilizing History Colorado's robust collection and collaborating with our state's African-American communities to work with them to tell their stories. The stops along the Trail, both virtual and physical, are broken down into four different regions, each containing historic places along with individuals whose stories exemplify aspects of the African-American experience in Colorado.

 

The trail is funded by a grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and with support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

 

The Black History Trail on the History Colorado App

Download for iPhone & Apple Devices

Download for Android & Google Devices

Become an Ambassador for the Trail

Join the Associate Curator of African American History and Cultural Heritage as a Regional Ambassador for History Colorado! Your assistance in establishing contacts, partners, and content will highlight the important contributions African-American’s have played and continue to play in Colorado’s history. Sixteen Regional Ambassadors will be selected, four from each region.

Ambassadors will:

  • Work with curator to better understand Black Communities in your area
  • Connect History Colorado to organizations/individuals who promote or preserve Black History near you
  • Help the team create and evaluate content to be included in the "Black History Trail"
  • All selected Ambassadors must pass a background check.

Apply Now