Broken treaties with the Utes paved the way for Colorado’s 1870s San Juan silver rush

By: Chase Woodruff

Outlets: Colorado Newsline

Published: January 30, 2026

Words: 1,018

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 5 days ago

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In the years leading up to Colorado statehood, nearly all of the territory’s western half still belonged to the Ute people, who had inhabited the northern Colorado Plateau for centuries.

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This story is part of Colorado at 150.

An 1868 treaty between the U.S. government and six bands of the Ute tribe reserved …

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