ERO developed an eight-chapter historic context alongside Project Mosaic LLC on behalf of City and County of Denver Landmark Preservation. This project is part of Denver’s historic context series initiative that seeks to gather and share the history of the city’s historically underrepresented communities. The historic context discusses the deep history and recent stories of American Indians in Denver, including origin stories, the Sand Creek Massacre, the Bureau of Indian Affair’s urban relocation program, the American Indian Movement, and language revitalization programs. Seventeen oral history interviews, community outreach events, and discussions with Tribal Nation leaders and representatives inform the content of the historic context.
ERO identified more than 100 places in and around Denver that are significant to the city’s American Indian community. The historic context is expected to be released to the public in late winter 2026. You can find more information on the City and County of Denver website: American Indian/Indigenous Peoples Historic Context Study