Sprawling Piedmont cities, ghost towns on the plains, earth-toned placitas set against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, mining camps transformed into ski resorts--these are some of the diverse regions in Colorado explored in this fascinating book. Historical geographer William Wyckoff traces the evolution of the state during its formative years from 1860 to 1940, chronicling its changing cultural landscapes, social communities, and connections to a larger America and showing that Colorado has exemplified the unfolding of a complex western environment. Wyckoff discusses how nature, capitalism, a growing federal political presence, and national cultural influences came together to produce a new human geography in Colorado. He explains the ways in which the state's distinctive settlement geographies each took on a special character that persists to the present. He leads the reader through the transformation of the state from wilderness to a distinct region capable of accommodating the diverse needs of ranchers, miners, merchants, farmers, and city dwellers. And he describes how a state created out of cartographic necessity has been given uniqueness and meaning by the people who live there.

This pictorial history shows the transition of Colorado Springs from a frontier town, founded in 1871 by William Jackson Palmer, to those years just prior to the city's exposive growth which started during World War II.

Since 1976, newcomers and natives alike have learned about the rich history of the magnificent place they call home from Colorado: A History of the Centennial State. In the fifth edition, coauthors Carl Abbott, Stephen J. Leonard, and Thomas J. Noel incorporate recent events, scholarship, and insights about the state in an accessible volume that general readers and students will enjoy. The new edition tells of conflicts, shifting alliances, and changing ways of life as Hispanic, European, and African American settlers flooded into a region that was already home to Native Americans. Providing a balanced treatment of the entire state’s history—from Grand Junction to Lamar and from Trinidad to Craig—the authors also reveal how Denver and its surrounding communities developed and gained influence. While continuing to elucidate the significant impact of mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism on Colorado, the fifth edition broadens and focuses its coverage by consolidating material on Native Americans into one chapter and adding a new chapter on sports history. The authors also expand their discussion of the twentieth century with updated sections on the environment, economy, politics, and recent cultural conflicts. New illustrations, updated statistics, and an extensive bibliography including Internet resources enhance this edition.

This is quite possibly the most interesting, fun and entertaining book you'll ever find about the state of Colorado. It comes packed with interesting stories, history, trivia and fun facts that will spark your curiosity about the great state of Colorado.

Many types of settlers have called Colorado home, including Pueblo, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians, Mexicans, rugged cowboys, and fortune seekers. Now, Colorado is full of national parks, swanky resorts, bustling cities, and cozy suburbs that draw people from around the world. Discover Colorado in the exciting new pictorial history, Colorado Past and Present. Incredible archival and contemporary photographs showcase the magnificent landscapes, culture, and evolution of Colorado since the late 1800s. Rocky Mountain high! Colorado boasts 53 awe-inspiring mountain peaks that rise 14,000 feet and higher. What was once arduous territory for Colorado’s early settlers is now home to famous ski resorts like Aspen, Vail, and Steamboat Springs. Despite its rocky reputation, nearly half of Colorado is flat. See how life in the Eastern Plains has changed as cattle ranches make way for progress. In 2005 Outside Magazine named Buena Vista, Colorado, one of the "Best Towns in the U.S." Check out how this town, in the shadow of the Rockies, sprang up from nothing and developed into a symbol of the New Urbanism movement. With its amazing natural beauty, exciting culture, and adrenalineinducing activities, Colorado is one of America’s most popular destinations.

The Western Slope towns of Gunnison and Crested Butte are defined by their placement in the Colorado Rockies. Both are located in alpine valleys surrounded by 14,000-foot-high peaks with sparkling mountain-fed streams, and both dominate the Gunnison country, a unique wilderness covering over 4,000 square miles. Beginning over 400 years ago, Native Americans, fur traders, explorers, miners, railroaders, and cattlemen all made a place for themselves in the area. Today Gunnison, Crested Butte, and the Gunnison country remain isolated and tranquil. Recreation, tourism, and cattle ranching now reign supreme as Gunnison and Crested Butte attempt to preserve their distinctly Western heritage.