Research Tools

History Colorado's collection contains a rich array of archives, artifacts, and photographic material, all documenting the people, places, and events of Colorado. The two catalogs below provide records and images of our holdings. We recommend searching both catalogs to maximize your results.

Collection guides provide information about the contents of History Colorado's collections. Some collection guides cover only archival or photographic material, while others also include information about objects and artifacts that are related to archival or photographic collections.

Our Bibliographies and Subject Guides list suggested books, manuscript collections, articles, websites, and other resources that may be helpful in researching the Colorado history topics below.

History Colorado’s quarterly magazine brings the drama and variety of Colorado’s past to your door through richly illustrated stories that link history to art, architecture, sports, music, technology, archaeology, and folklore. Our authors are historians, professional writers, and students as well as everyday readers who’ve landed on a story to tell—whether from their family’s own past or simply a passion they’ve pursued.

Whether you're researching family members or prominent Colorado citizens, the Hart Research Library can provide access to useful materials for biographical research.

History Colorado holds the largest collection of Colorado newspapers available, ranging from 1859 through the present day. The collection contains more than 1700 microfilmed newspaper titles from towns across the state. Approximately 50 currently published newspapers are available in the Hart Research Library.

The CWA Pioneer Interviews are the result of a project led by the Civil Works Administration in Colorado in 1933-34. The interviews were conducted with people who had lived in selected areas of the state over a long period of time and could provide insight into life in Colorado from a personal point of view. The interviews cover a wide variety of subjects pertaining to Colorado history.

The following libraries, archives, and agencies can provide additional resources for your Colorado history research.

You can extend the life of your family’s papers, photographs, and heirlooms by following basic guidelines for care and storage.  Here are some sources for more information on how to care for your collections.