top of page
Search
marianneplunkert

Colorful Colorado Characters

I thoroughly enjoyed delving into the history of the Denver area as I did the research necessary for What Might Have Been. In particular, I delighted in meeting the multidimensional characters that roamed the region. One that held my particular interest was Chief Colorow who I couldn't help but give a nod to in my novel, even though he played no real part in the action. My first introduction to him was in an article that painted him in a comic vein--unintentionally scaring some of the women settlers as he sought out their biscuits, for which he had developed an insatiable craving, and then playfully chasing their children around, much to their delight. He was also famous for his arm wrestling and horse racing antics.


It was only through further investigation that I learned he was a skilled horseman and warrior and an esteemed leader of the Ute Indians. As such, he was engaged in treaty negotiations with the U.S. government and met with Ulysses S Grant at a reception in Denver. He died of pneumonia on December 13, 1888 and is buried on the banks of the White River where he and his band of Utes were peacefully camped when a sheriff's posse fired on them, destroying the Chief's trust in the white man. Many of his descendants are still living on Ute reservations in Colorado and Utah.

10 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page