Discover the diverse history of Hispanics in Colorado - from the Ancestral Puebloans through today with biographies, artifact kits for your classrooms, bibliographies and more.
Colorado has a rich and unique Hispanic heritage. Spanish exploration and prospecting in Colorado was more frequent than the records reveal. Between 1540 and 1542, Francisco de Coronado, a Spanish explorer looking for the mythical Seven Golden Cities of Cibola, may have crossed into Colorado. Old Spanish records indicate that as far back as 1598 Juan de Oñate reported gold discoveries in the San Luis Valley. These early Spanish expeditions usually traveled trails that Native Americans before them had worn into the deserts, plains and mountains. Native American typically also served as guides to European explorers.
El Movimiento was fueled by the activism of young people. In March, 1969, students marched out of West High School to demand better educational opportunities. Walkouts occurred throughout the city. Join us to watch clips from “West High School March 1969: Blow Out!” followed by a panel discussion with people involved in the West High Blowout, including Carlos Santistevan and Emanuel Martinez from the Crusade for Justice, as well as student leaders and activists today. Moderated by Deborah Espinosa.
