Map showing routes of the Gold region across the Kansas territory (what is now Colorado).

The state we now know as Colorado was a part of the Kansas territory in the 1850s, where our story begins. 

At this time, the excitement of "Kansas Gold Fever" brought people to what is now the state of Colorado! Prospectors, people searching for gold, traveled west. As they had some success they began to tell their stories. Letters were written and sent back to friends back home. Songs were sung and the word was passed - you can find gold out west!

SONG FOR THE TIMES. By a Frontier Individual. 

Tune—"Hard Times" come again no more. There’s a crowd in every village, and every town, astir, Who are going to gather up the gold; There’s a sound in every cottage, and a wring every ear, 'Pike’s Peak’ is the land for the young and old. 

Chorus.—’Tis the life and the dream of the many, 'Pike’s Peak’, 'Pike’s Peak’, the land of brave and bold. Many ways we have wandered and now we are told, 'Pike's Peak' is the place to get the gold. There’s a young lovely maiden, scarce sixteen summers old, Whose thoughts over the distant prairie roam, Where the idol of her vision is digging for the gold— Pike’s Peak is the place to make your home. 

Chorus—'Tis the life and the dream of the many, & ‘Fare the well, says the farmer to his loving child and wife, Be merry till the day we meet again, ... happy life. Pike’s peak is the place to get the 'tin.’ ‘I am tired’ says the merchant ‘of selling goods for years' When a fortune can be made in half the time. So he takes a barrel of whisky, besides a Sweitzer cheese Pike’s Peak is the place of his design. There is youths of every nation and men from far and near, Who are going to make their fortunes quick, There goes ‘paddy with his shovel, there Yoccup with his beer— Pike's Peak is the place to raise the chink.

Song for the Times.jpg

History Colorado

Newspaper Article, SONG FOR THE TIMES

What do you know about the geography across the state of Colorado? 

Look at the physical map of Colorado below.

The geology of Colorado makes it a state rich in mineral resources, and by 1858, Euro-Americans found these resources in the form of gold. Word of this gold spread quickly, causing new people to move to Colorado and for miners to begin establishing towns in places like Denver as well as in the mountains. 

What do you notice about the geography across the state of Colorado?

Where do you think gold and other minerals were found?

Look at the map below to find out, the pink markings on the map show the location of metal mines across Colorado.

View of a mining camp with tent, clothesline, and man and woman, Poughkeepsie Gulch, San Juan County, Colorado. A man stands with a pack train of burros, they carry chairs and household goods.

Negative, A packers camp, Po'Keepsie Gulch

Settlements, and eventually towns, were established in the Rocky Mountains, where the people could mine for metal which includes gold, silver, lead, copper, and more.

How did Colorado’s geography create challenges for miners?

Write down 1 idea to answer this question before you go to the next slide!

Standards for Gold! Gold!! Gold!!! Gold!!!!

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework