What was it like to live in a 1920s homesteading town, or work in a 1880s silver mine? How did Coloradans deal with droughts throughout the past? When have communities fought to uphold democratic principles of equality and justice? On our immersive, experiential, and standards-aligned programs, students explore the state's history, people, and places through History Colorado Center’s award-winning exhibits.

Note: All school groups planning to visit the History Colorado Center must go through the field trips reservation process. 

Field trip times:
9:30am - 11:30am (lunch after your tour at 11:30)
11:30 - 1:30 (lunch before your tour at 11:00)
1:30 - 3:30 (lunch before your tour)

Duration: 2 hours

To ensure a high quality experience for everyone in the museum, we can only allow self-guided exploration of the museum after 1:30pm. 

Cost:

• $5 per student, $2.50 per student for Title I schools
• School staff are free
• $8 per parent/guardian chaperone
  • Membership, EBT, or other pass discounts do not apply to chaperone tickets.

Please bring a 1 adult chaperone per 10 students; see FAQ for additional details. Bus Fund Transportation Assistance is available.

Please let us know in the reservation form if you anticipate a late arrival or early departure. Our facilitators will shorten your field trip accordingly. Due to scheduling, we cannot extend tours that arrive late or which need to leave early. 

On the day of the field trip, if you know that your school will be late, please contact the History Colorado Center front desk (303-866-2394) with an estimated time of arrival.

If the trip is canceled due to inclement weather, schools will be given the opportunity to reschedule if possible or the payment will be returned in full.

FAQ →

Program Descriptions

Check out the full list of available exhibitions for each program. You may include specific exhibit requests on the reservation form; however, these requests are not guaranteed. Each two-hour guided tour includes around four exhibit stations.

Colorado Time Travelers (Grades K-5) 

This tour for elementary students explores the stories of Colorado’s people and places through hands-on experiences in the galleries.

Water Quest (Grades 5–9)

This tour focuses on Colorado’s scarce water resources and water’s importance in Colorado. Students will explore challenges Coloradans have faced due to water’s scarcity as well discuss potential solutions to this pertinent issue.

Middle School Westward Expansion (6-8)

This tour aligns with Colorado’s state standards for 8th grade, which examine United States history from its founding until Reconstruction. The tour explores the people who moved to Colorado throughout the 19th century as well as the impacts on Indigenous people who were already here.

Democratic Principles in Conflict (Grades 6–12) 

On this tour, students will explore examples in Colorado’s history to explore how the United States government has – and has not – lived up to its democratic ideals. Students will discuss themes of citizenship, rights, and civic engagement to engage with the more difficult topics related to our state’s history.

High School US History (20th century) (9-12)

This tour aligns with Colorado’s state standards for high school, which examine United States history from its Reconstruction to the present day. Students will explore events and topics in Colorado’s history and connect them to the national context of United States history.

Research Center (6-12)

Students will explore real museum collections in the Stephen H. Hart Research Center using critical thinking and analytical skills as well as get a behind-the-scenes look into how History Colorado cares for our museum collections. 

Only available Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 am - 3 pm and by request only. 

The Research Center can only host up to 30 students at a time. If you are bringing more than 30 students, please contact Josie Chang-Order (josie.chang-order@state.co.us) to coordinate rotating groups through the museum exhibits during your field trip.

Field Trip FAQs

We do not want a guided tour. Can we just show up at the museum and not book a field trip?

All school groups need to reserve field trips through the system in advance. General admission tickets are not intended for groups. In order to ensure a high quality experience for everyone in the museum, self-guiding is only allowed after 1:30 or in specific circumstances that require approval from the School Programs Manager. 

Our buses cannot arrive by 9:30 but need to leave before 1:30. What can we do?

In this case, our default is to shorten your tour (often meaning you will visit 3 stations instead of 4).

If you want more time, you can book a slot for 9:30 and 11:30 on the same day. This is only available during our slower months, such as September, October, March (during spring break weeks), and early April. If you choose this option, you will have to pay for both time slots. 

Depending on when you arrive and need to leave, you can then see ~5 stations with lunch in the middle. Please contact us for more information. 

Can we stay after our tour / arrive early for our tour and self-guide?

You may not self-guide through the museum until after 1:30. If you are hoping to be able to explore after your tour, please book an 11:30 tour time for the opportunity to self-guide at 1:30. Note: large school groups sometimes book guided tours at 1:30, so this is not always guaranteed.

What if our school arrives early?

If your school arrives early for a 9:30 tour, you may wait outside on 12th Avenue while we finish morning set-up. If the weather is bad, you may wait in the atrium. Restrooms are available. 

If your school arrives early for lunch at 11:00, please be aware that we do not allow your group to explore exhibits between lunch and the 11:30 tour as the previous tour will still be underway. 

How many groups will our school be divided into? 

School groups, camps, and other non-family programs do not receive free admission for children. 

What if our school arrives late?

Our facilitators will prioritize three exhibit stations instead of four. Due to scheduling of facilitators and exhibit spaces, we cannot extend late-arrival 9:30 tours beyond 11:30. 

If your group arrives late for lunch, we cannot guarantee that facilitators will be able to extend their tours beyond 1:30. 

On the day of the field trip, if you know that your school will be late, please contact the History Colorado Center front desk (303-866-2394) with an estimated time of arrival.

What if our school arrives early?

If your school arrives early for a 9:30 tour, you may wait outside on 12th Avenue while we finish morning set-up. If the weather is bad, you may wait in the atrium. Restrooms are available. 

If your school arrives early for lunch at 11:00, please be aware that we do not allow your group to explore exhibits between lunch and the 11:30 tour as the previous tour will still be underway.

How many groups will our school be divided into?

Please plan to be divided by class. On the rare occasion that facilitators are unexpectedly unavailable on the day of your trip, you may be asked to split into fewer groups than previously discussed. 

Where can chaperones park? 

• The Cultural Center parking garage is on the west side of 12th and Broadway (entrance on 12th). 
• The (colorful) Art Garage is on the right (east) side of Lincoln Street behind the History Colorado Center. 
• There is also metered parking on the streets around the museum ($2.00 per hour via coins, card, or app), as well as surface lots just west of 12th and Broadway. Meters typically have a two-hour limit. 
• The surface lots require payment at time of parking and are usually cash only. 
• We cannot validate parking. 

Do you limit the number of parent/guardian chaperones that can attend?

While we do not have a limit on parent/guardian chaperones, keep in mind that our exhibits become crowded with more than 5-6 parents per class. 

Do you require a minimum number of chaperones?

Each tour group (usually one class) should be accompanied by at least one school staff member.

We prefer a ratio of 1 adult for every 10 students. 

What if my field trip is canceled due to weather?

If the trip is canceled due to inclement weather, schools will be given the opportunity to reschedule if possible or the payment will be returned in full.

Where do buses park?

Explore bus parking options before your visit. 

Where can we eat lunch?

Our primary lunch space is Camp Colorado! We provide bins for trash, recycling, and compost, as well as a few cleaning supplies. 

Outfitted like a campground with 19 tables, the space can hold approximately 120 people. Due to our schedule, you may be sharing the space with another group. Please let us know if your school or district policies specify that you cannot share an indoor space with another group. 

When Camp Colorado is full, we utilize one of our conference rooms for additional lunch space. Tables and chairs may be present, or you may have lunch picnic-style on the floor. If the weather is good, you may eat outside on the rocks on 12th; we recommend having an inclement weather backup plan

Where can we store belongings?

We will provide carts to store lunches, water bottles, and other belongings while you are on your tour. Food and drink and student backpacks are not allowed in the exhibits.

Please do not bring individual student backpacks if at all possible, as they take up too much space in exhibits. We also suggest leaving coats in the bus/car, if possible

COVID-19 Policy

We follow local and state guidance regarding masks. However, given the number of students from different schools around the state that we interact with on a daily basis, we encourage mask wearing for all school program participants, teachers and chaperones. 

Still have questions? Contact Josie Chang-Order at josie.chang-order@state.co.us (preferred) or 303-866-3345. 

History Colorado Field Trip and Education programs are supported by:

The Charles M. and Faye G. Schayer Charitable Foundation