COME TO LIFE Indigenous & Ancient Cultures Long before Colorado became a state, it was home to dozens of Indigenous nations with deep connections to the land. From the Ute to the Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples, these communities shaped the region for generations — and continue to do so today. “After arriving here in 1980, I heard various well-educated people refer to frontier Colorado as a vast, empty space,” Wei said. “It reflected the master narrative of the country’s westward expansion and the invisibility of the Indigenous people who lived there.” Today, travelers can connect with that history through cultural sites that recognize Indigenous knowledge and presence across the state. At Chimney Rock National Monument near Pagosa Springs, you can walk among the remnants of a high-altitude settlement built by Ancestral Puebloans more than 1,000 years ago. Twin rock spires rise above the valley, aligning with a rare lunar cycle that guided agriculture and ceremony. Trails wind through ancient dwellings and up to stunning overlooks — a reminder of how deeply these communities understood the land and the sky. Hovenweep National Monument near Cortez offers a quiet but powerful experience. Here, stone towers and dwellings built more than 700 years ago still stand along the canyon rim. Many are believed to align with solar events and cardinal directions. These places indicate that Indigenous people weren’t just surviving here, they were building sophisticated, innovative societies. On the plains east of Pueblo, Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site confronts one of Colorado’s darkest chapters. On Nov. 29, 1864, U.S. troops attacked a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho village, killing more than 230 people — mostly women, children and elders. “For the descendants, the massacre is not simply history, but family history,” Wei said. Interpretive trails guide you through the site and its stories, encouraging reflection on settler colonialism and the need for healing. Chimney Rock National Monument near Pagosa Springs 124 1-800-COLORADO ANDREW MAGUIRE
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2026: Page 124
