Colorado 150 (And some historic sites) - America 250

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Comanche National Grasslands
Image (C) Doris McCraw

In 2026, not only will the nation celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but on August 1, Colorado will mark 150 years as a state. For those who might not know, Colorado is known as the Centennial State, having joined the Union as the 38th state, one hundred years after the Declaration.

Colorado has four National Parks: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Rocky Mountain National Park.

Colorado has five National Monuments: Colorado National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument, Yucca House National Monument.

Tracks from the Santa Fe Trail (?)
Image (C) Doris McCraw

There are three National Historic Sites: Amache National Historic Site, Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, and Sand Creek National Historic Site.

Colorado also includes portions of the following National Trails: California National Historic Trail, Pony Express National Historic Trail, Old Spanish National Historic Trail, and Santa Fe Historic Trail.

There were also the following two well-known cattle trails: the Great Western and Goodnight-Loving Trails, which came through Colorado, in addition to the Smoky Hill Trail, which brought gold seekers to Colorado and intersected with some of the Cattle Trails.

Entrance to Bent's Old Fort
Image (C) Doris McCraw

Colorado, also, in its early history, was part of the fur trading routes.

It has been my goal to visit as many of the above as possible. I've managed almost three-quarters of the list. Their history and landscape have and continue to be a part of my writing. So much beauty and history; so little time.

Until next time,

Stay safe - Doris

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon