16th Century: Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, a Spanish explorer, led an expedition in search of the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. His explorations took him through what is now Colorado and New Mexico.
17th Century: Spanish explorers continued their explorations of Colorado, searching for mineral wealth and a path to the Pacific Ocean.
18th Century: French fur trappers and traders began exploring eastern Colorado, establishing trade routes and creating maps of the region.
1803-1806: The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through southern Colorado, marking a significant moment in American exploration of the West.
1820s-1840s: American fur trappers, such as Kit Carson, explored Colorado in search of beaver pelts.
1850: The Gold Rush: The discovery of gold in Colorado sparked a massive influx of settlers and prospectors, leading to the exploration and development of new settlements and mining camps.
1858-1859: The United States Army launched several military expeditions to explore and survey the Colorado region. Notable figures like John C. Frémont and William J. Palmer led these expeditions.
1860: Colorado Territory is established, marking a significant milestone in the region's exploration and development.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Colorado continued to be explored and settled, with the establishment of towns, cities, and infrastructure connecting different parts of the state.
It's important to acknowledge the contributions of Indigenous nations and their exploration and stewardship of the land that later became Colorado. Their deep knowledge and connection to the region enriched our understanding of the state's environment, history, and culture.