Colorado Experience

After earning her physician's license in 1897, Anderson struggled to find work in Denver where people "didn't believe in women doctors." She did not let this stop her love of medicine, and moved to Fraser where she cured lumberjacks, tended to miners' injuries and even cared for animals. Meet the tenacious treasure of Fraser, one of the first to practice medicine in the state of Colorado

The famous Oscar Wilde quote “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life” holds little truth in Colorado. With magnificent landscapes located across the state, artists and pioneers could not help but replicate the sights before them. From the documentary art of early expeditions, to the celebratory art of the iconic bronco busting cowboy, discover the backstory of 250 years of American Art.

America's explosive successes in peace and war were fueled by the radioactive wealth from the Colorado Plateau. The mineral carnotite was a "Pandora's rock" of scientific, medical, industrial and military power for 20th Century America. Even though the mining and refining of uranium ore in Western Colorado has mostly ceased its remaining trace elements still radiate from Uravan and Grand Junction.

According to the Colorado Springs Gazette, Colorado "has more than 1,000 ghost towns, over 600 of which have some sort of remains." Visit St. Elmo, Animas Forks, and Ashcroft, three of the best-preserved ghost towns in the state, and meet the spirits of Colorado's mining past.

Evidence of prehistoric mammals and early humans have been discovered across Colorado. Lamb Spring in Douglas County is home to the largest collection of Colombian mammoth bones in the state, offering archaeological insight into these prehistoric dwellers. The discoveries of Lindenmeier near Ft. Collins and Mountaineer in Gunnison reveal much about the people who lived here over 10,000 years ago.

Take a ride on the Galloping Goose, seven operational railcars that ran through the rugged San Juan mountains from 1931 to 1952. Carrying cargo, mail, and passengers, these "motors" connected Dolores, Telluride, and Ridgeway with many locations along the Rio Grand Southern Railroad. Discover their mechanical and weather-related adventures and why they attract visitors from around the world.

Join us on a wild ride as we discover some of Colorado’s oldest amusement parks. Elitch Gardens, Denver’s most popular park, opened in 1890 and operated as Denver’s first botanic garden, zoo, and motion picture theater. Across town, Lakeside Amusement Park wowed with its Art Deco décor.

Explore Colorado's history of Aviation and meet the inspiring individuals who have shaped an industry

Located near Great Sand Dunes national park, the Trujillo Homestead and The Medano Zapta Ranch have a history dating back to Paleo Indians, with early Spanish explorers, New Mexican sheep herders and cattle ranchers settling the area in the 1800s. Today, these National Historic Landmarks provide a window to the past and a sanctuary for many wetland birds, rare plants and insects, cattle and bison.

Colorado and the west are where American mountain biking began. From the Denver Athletic Club's Pikes Peak summit on bicycles in 1891, to Buffalo Soldiers' riding to Yellowstone in 1897, mountain biking has long had a place in Colorado. With its modern debut in 1978, Crested Butte has led the state in creating single track and inspiring other towns to cater to this now Olympic sport.

The 1910's marked the early years of tourism to Colorado's front range and quickly, promoters presented the surrounding mountains as magnificent park attractions. Today, forty-six public parks make up the Denver Mountain Parks system. Meet those who had the foresight to preserve these epic spaces and understand why it is vital to preserve them for Coloradans and tourists alike.

Discover how lodging has changed with transportation throughout Colorado. From stage coaches and railroads, to the autobus and eventually cars, tourists have increasingly flocked to Colorado's mountains. Venture to Grand Lake and Steamboat to discover the history behind some of the favorite places to stay while making a mountain escape.

After discovering sugar beets on a trip to Europe, Charles Boettcher brought seeds to Colorado and found that the plains were the perfect environment for sugar beets. This new crop would prove to be one of the most important in Colorado's agricultural history; and would also attract a diverse array of workers from Mexican nationals to European immigrants and even WWII German Prisoners of War.

Encouraged by civil rights movements of the 1960s and 1970s, the Disability Rights Movement gained momentum in Denver when 19 people living with disabilities blocked a bus in protest. This action was one of several that led to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Meet the brave individuals who dared to change the status quo and discover how this one act led to years of advocacy in the state of Colorado and inspired the nation.