As you explore the information on each slide; did the impact of the war last for a short period of time or a long period of time? Who and what were most impacted?

When Colorado’s constitution was written in 1876, it was published in both Spanish and English. This acknowledges the fact that much of Colorado was once part of Mexico and, at the same time, shows the influence of early Hispanic legislators from places like San Luis in the creation of our constitution.

Casimiro Barela was born in 1847 and moved to Trinidad, Colorado in 1867. He published newspapers and raised sheep, cattle, and horses. He was elected justice of the peace in Trinidad when he was just twenty-two. He later served as county assessor, territory representative, and county sheriff for Las Animas. In 1875, Barela helped to write Colorado’s State Constitution. He fought to ensure that the constitution was published in English, Spanish, and German, making him a hero to many. He became a senator in 1876. In office, he supported women’s right to vote, pushed for New Mexico statehood, and made Columbus Day a holiday in 1907.

Which of these names are Spanish? Do you know what they mean? Continue through the slideshow to find out.

A color postcard of Boulder, Colorado, with flatiron mountains in the background, white border.

Picture postcard, Beautiful Boulder, Colo.

History Colorado

A color postcard showing an aerial view of the Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado.

Picture postcard, Fitzsimons Army Hospital

A color postcard showing a panorama of Salida Colorado. Rounded corners.
Printed on back, top left corner: "Panorama of Salida, Colorado. On the Arkansas river on U.S. Highways 285 and 50."

Picture Postcard, Salida, Colorado

Pueblo means “village” or “people” in Spanish.

View of a busy Main Street in Pueblo (Pueblo County), Colorado. Shows pedestrians, parked cars and trolley car (number "74," Streetline: "Fairmount Park"). A banner on the trolley reads: "All of a Sudden Earnest, Centennial Auditorium, April 19th." Signs on buildings read: "Women's Ready To Wear The Unique Sam Moch," "Hotel Hot and Cold running water in every room," "The Grand Movies," "Western U[nion] Telegr[aph] and Ca[ble] Of[fice]," "The Hext Music Co." "Spoors Smokehouse Billiards," "The Ray Moch [C]lothing Co."

Photograph, Main Street, Pueblo

Alamosa means “cottonwood” in Spanish.

A postcard with an aerial view of Alamosa, Colorado.

Postcard, Alamosa

Mesa Verde means “green table” in Spanish.

Copy print depicting Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park in 1908. Image was photographed by an unidentified photographer during a packhorse trip made by James S. James and honeymooners Mr. and Mrs. Townsend.

Photograph, Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park

Rio Grande means “large river” in Spanish.

View of Wagon Wheel Gap Valley and the Rio Grande River, including some ranch buildings, in Mineral County, Colorado.
View of Wagon Wheel Gap valley and probably the Rio Grande river and ranch buildings, Mineral County, Colorado.

The date of this photograph was determined when it was digitized and cataloged between the years 1994-1997 as part of the PhotosWest: Western History Imaging Project coordinated by the Denver Public Library. This project was funded through a three-year grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Boettcher Foundation.

Negative, Wagon Wheel Gap below THT Station

Sangre de Cristo means “blood of christ” in Spanish.

View of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, clouds, and Poncha Pass in Chaffee County, Colorado. A lake is nearby.

Negative, Sangre de Cristo Mountains from Poncha Pass

Today, Spanish is the second most common language spoken in Colorado.

Standards for Lasting Impacts

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework