Explore Colorado history through our documents, photos, and records.
About Colorado History
This chronology PDF describes events of Colorado's prehistory, early history and events up to WWII. It is mostly excerpted from archival records of the State Planning Commission's Colorado Year Book, 1959-1961.
Notable Coloradans
Please click on the links below to view the lists of notable Coloradans by subject.
Please note: This list is not complete, nor is the inclusion of individuals meant to imply endorsement by the State of Colorado or the Colorado State Archives. The biographical information has been provided as a service only.
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Colorado Government
The discovery of gold in 1858 brought people to the fledgling towns of Denver City, Auraria and other front range mining camps. The new inhabitants quickly realized the need for some form of government and movement began toward a territorial and a subsequent state government which led up to the admittance of Colorado as the 38th state of the Union on August 1, 1876.
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Chronology of the Colorado Constitution: Eighteen Years to Statehood
Colorado Enabling Act (PDF of transcribed copy of the Enabling Act in 1861 which established the Colorado Territory).
1876 Colorado Constitution (PDF copy)