PRESS CONTACT
Luke Perkins, Manager of Communications and Public Relations
303-866-3670 | luke.perkins@state.co.us 

History Colorado Summer Road Trip Pairings:
Lost Highways: Dispatches from the Shadows of the Rocky Mountains
History Colorado’s critically acclaimed podcast, Lost Highways: Dispatches from the Shadows of the Rocky Mountains, is the essential playlist for any summer road trip across the Centennial State. Learn why hairpin mountain turns and “lands where the columbines grow” aren’t the only thing Colorado is known for and listen as our expert hosts and distinguished guests unpack overlooked stories from the past that have shaped world events and continue to impact our lives today. With five seasons full of exciting, informative, and sometimes absurd Colorado history, your trusted car companions may even stay awake for the whole ride. You can “tune in” to Lost Highways anywhere you listen to podcasts all summer long. 

Tours & Treks
If you’re unsure where to start your summer plans, let History Colorado’s Tours & Treks team curate an unforgettable experience for you! From curated looks at the works of one of Colorado’s most prolific and accomplished artists to a guided tour of some of the finest wineries of the Front Range, our team has developed adventures to fit anyone’s bucket list or summer itinerary. With each trip specially designed to inspire wonder in our past, we hope these Tours & Treks encourage you to live in the present and explore parts of the Centennial State you have yet to see. Explore the Tours & Treks events page for additional information and details!

Museums Around the State
History Colorado’s museums span the state and are designed for multi-generational audiences. The museums include interactive elements and engaging narratives that immerse visitors in the history of Colorado and the American West. Our museums include:

• The History Colorado Center in downtown Denver with more than fifteen exhibits that span five floors and capture the spirit of the Centennial State.
• The Ute Indian Museum in Montrose that connects the historic and contemporary lives and culture of the Ute peoples, showing their deep traditions of adaptation and persistence.
• The El Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo which incorporates a reconstructed 1840s trading post, an archeological site, and innovative exhibitions that explore the many cultural and ethnic groups of the region. 
• Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center in Fort Garland where visitors can explore life in a nineteenth century military fort and the intersectional, complex histories of the people who lived there. 
• The Center for Colorado Women’s History in Denver, a beautifully restored historic house museum which chronicles the many contributions that women have made to the Centennial State.
• Trinidad History Museum in Trinidad featuring several sites – the Bloom Mansion, Baca House, and heritage gardens – that exemplify Southern Colorado lifeways throughout the 19th - 21st centuries.
• The Healy House Museum & Dexter Cabin in Leadville which depicts Western life in a Colorado mountain town through the 19th century silver mining boom.

Kids Free General Admission to All Museums
In addition to hosting wonder-inspiring exhibitions, each of our seven museums across the state offers free general admission to kids ages 18 and under, meaning families looking for fun activities this summer need look no further than History Colorado. With opportunities to see historic homes, adobe forts, innovative playgrounds – in addition to a full roster of events – there’s bound to be something the whole family will love. So, prepare the caravan, grab the road trip snacks, and we’ll see you soon!

Explore the Colorado Rockies by Rail!
Last but certainly not least among History Colorado’s offerings is the true Colorado gem that is the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Located 45 miles west of Denver, the Georgetown Loop Railroad is one of Colorado’s most authentic living museums and historically immersive experiences. Offers include daily train rides, mine tours, gold panning demonstrations, and special seasonal events that further transform this picturesque experience into something truly remarkable. 

New Exhibition and Events Series at History Colorado:
12 Tablecloths by Chloé Duplessis | Denver, CO.
Center for Colorado Women’s History | Opens July 13
Center for Colorado Women’s History is excited to announce its upcoming 12 Tablecloths installation, which opens on July 13, 2024, in the historic house museum’s dining room. Created in collaboration with Chloé Duplessis, 12 Tablecloths will focus on the lived experiences of enslaved peoples and domestic workers of color while exploring emancipation and the Great Migration of African Americans into the American West.

To celebrate the installation, Chloé Duplessis will be holding two artist talks at the Center for Colorado Women's History. The first on Saturday, July 13 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., includes a free opening reception. The second of these artist talks is on July 16 at 5:30 p.m. as part of the museum’s Tuesday Night Summer Social series. Seating is limited for both of these events and advanced registration is recommended. 

Tuesday Night Summer Socials | Denver, CO
Center for Colorado Women’s History | Every Tuesday evening through August
Denverites have a new reason to visit History Colorado’s Center for Colorado Women’s History this summer: Tuesday Night Summer Socials. This exciting expansion of programming at the Center for Colorado Women’s History sees the museum's hours extending until 7 p.m. every Tuesday evening through the end of August so visitors can enjoy specialty programming, musical guests, and merriment inside and out of the historic house museum.

Each of the Tuesday Night Summer Socials gatherings includes a free evening of live music in the museum’s gardens (weather permitting) as well as specialty programming that is included with a General Admission ticket to the Center for Colorado Women’s History.

Tuesday Night Summer Socials in July:

• On July 2, Thelma Craig, author and Founder and CEO of Sista Sage Healing, LLC, invites you to an evening session that celebrates and encourages women's health and wellbeing. Musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by Salvadorian born singer-songwriter Nina de Freitas,
• On July 9, Dr. Anna Weissman, Associate Curator of Domestic Life at History Colorado, will trace the history of commercial menstrual products and show how the superstitions, myths, and messages generated by early advertisements and marketing resulted in a dangerous and sometimes fatal environment for people who menstruate. Musical entertainment for the evening will be provided by Denver-based musician Uncle Meg,
• On July 16, artist, curator, and historian Chloé Duplessis, will provide an artist talk on how a decade of research prepared her to explore the lesser known truths shared in the upcoming installation at the Center for Colorado Women’s History: 12 Tablecloths. Musical entertainment inspired by the natural world will be provided by Lauren Podjun.
• On July 23, visitors will be able to engage with a vintage postcard collaging activity while listening to Billboard Magazine award recipient, Laurie Dameron, who has been playing the guitar for over 50 years and singing even longer,
• On July 30, Red Rocks Community College Theatre will present a short theatrical performance reflecting on the lives of Colorado women featured in the Center for Colorado Women's History latest exhibition Rumors of Bloomers. Denver-based pianist, vocalist, guitarist, and composer Camilla Vaitaitis will also be offering a free live performance in the museum gardens. 

Poetry on the Porch | Denver, CO
Center for Colorado Women’s History | Every Saturday in July, 1 –3 p.m.
Join the Center for Colorado Women’s History in their majestic garden for a new FREE summer series focused on elevating the voice of Denver-based poets. Hosted by author, educator and poet Marissa Forbes, this series will feature a different local artist each week and provide an open mic for all poets, as well as free snacks and water for all in attendance. Running every Saturday in July from 1 – 3 p.m. Poetry on the Porch is a perfect excuse to enjoy sunshine, poetry, and community in the heart of downtown.

Poetry on the Porch offerings in July:

• On July 6, Poetry on the Porch will kick off with a reading from the Poet Laureate of Aurora: Ahja Fox (she/her), 
• On July 13, Tyler Hurula (she/they), the pinkest poet and explorer based in Denver, will take the stage and share poetics relating to polyamory and queer identities,
• On July 20, writer, editor, educator, and poet Becca Downs (she/they) will be featured,
• And on July 27, poet Ralonda Simmons (she/her) will close out Poetry on the Porch.

History Colorado Events in July
How-To: Store Quilts and Blankets | Online
Online | July 2, noon – 1 p.m.
Tickets ($3-5) and additional information available here.
Join Head of Collections Management and Registration Mark Nelson for a Zoom webinar focused on the long-term storage of beloved quilts and blankets. Participants will learn about two of the textile storage methods used in museums, and how similar strategies can be applied at home to help preserve these treasured textiles well into the future.

Outdoor Yoga & Meditation Practice | Trinidad, CO
Trinidad History Museum | July 4, 11, 18, and 25, 8 a.m.
The Trinidad History Museum is happy to announce they will be holding a series of yoga and meditation classes in the Baca-Bloom Heritage Gardens on Thursdays from May through August. These classes will be led by local yogi Jennifer Allen and are a great chance to connect with your body, breath, nature, and neighbors. All Outdoor Yoga and Meditation Practices at the Trinidad History Museum are free and open to the public. Don’t forget to bring a mat/blanket and water.

Trinidad History Museum Coffee & Conversation | Trinidad, CO
Trinidad History Museum | July 5, 8 – 10 a.m.
Start the first Friday of July with free coffee and tea! Held in Trinidad’s own Bloom Mansion, Coffee & Conversation provides space for community gatherings. Join us, mingle with neighbors, and meet the museum team to share your ideas, questions, and memories! We look forward to seeing you!

Museum Basics: Basics of Curation | Online
Online | July 10, 5 – 7 p.m.
Tickets ($25-$325) and additional information available here. 
The next class in the Museum Basics Series will cover the basics of curation, including writing collection plans & policies, donor relations & acquisitions, and ethical and legal considerations. Ticketing options for the 2024 Museum Basics Series include discounted annual passes for students, Tribal citizens, individuals, and institutions. For any questions or additional information, please contact Mark Nelson at HC_Museumbasics@state.co.us or visit the event listing here.

Vecinos Community Coffee | Fort Garland, CO
Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center | July 11, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center invites you to join them for warm beverages, good platica, and a conversation with neighbors. This is a free event to provide space for community sharing and gathering. This event is located in the Mess Hall at Fort Garland Museum with parking and an entrance available at the rear of the building

Bananas and Imperialism | Denver, CO
City Park Denver | July 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Tickets ($10-15) and additional information available here. 
Summer is here and that means banana pudding and banana splits are plentiful, but did you know that the banana played a larger role in America’s expansion into the global neighborhood? Join Rachael Storm, History Colorado Curator and banana expert, on a tour of City Park and discuss the interesting connection between bananas and American imperialism. We will also end the talk with a visit to the City Park Farmer’s Market where you can support small businesses and shop for Colorado Proud produce. After all, you can’t have a tour about bananas without having … a banana!

Art of Allen True Bus Tour | Denver, CO
History Colorado Center | July 24, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tickets ($110-120) and additional information available here.
Get your artistic eye ready for color and love as we revisit the brilliance of one of Colorado’s most prolific and accomplished artists: Allen True! His work spanned decades, can be found across the continent, and provided a window into a vanishing world. Today, art historians value True’s contributions not just for their beauty but for their accuracy into a bygone world and while we can’t see all of his creations on this day-long bus tour we’ll see as much of the local offerings as possible. 

Black Outside: A Hike to honor J. Beckwourth & W. K. Walker | Denver, CO
West Trailhead Mount Falcon Park | July 29, 8 – 11 a.m.
Tickets ($20-25) and additional information available here.
Join Blaxplanation for a historical hike that immerses you in the history of two Black advocates for equal access to the recreational outdoors: James Beckwourth and Winston K. Walker. Co-hosted by Steve Shepard, a Black Colorado history expert and member of Beckwourth Doers, and Nelson Holland (a.k.a. FatBlackandGettinIt), a TikTok star and influencer, this hike will honor Winston K. Walker by hiking the trail named for him near Kittredge/Evergreen. If you have any questions about attending this hike please contact Ani Steele at Ani.steele@state.co.us or 720-541-2334.

Colorado Day! | Denver, CO
History Colorado Center | August 3, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Centennial State celebrates its 148th birthday on Saturday, August 3, with a free day at the History Colorado Center filled with activities for the whole family! Arts and crafts, live performances, and snacks are just the tip of the snow cone at this carnivalesque gathering fit for an entire state, so bring your friends and family because it's time to party!

Community Museums Celebrate Colorado Day! | Across Colorado
All six of History Colorado’s Community Museums | August 3, times vary by site
In celebration of Colorado’s 148th birthday all of History Colorado’s community museums will be hosting free days for the public. With sites around the state there is sure to be a location within driving distance where all Coloradans can go to celebrate the anniversary of Colorado’s statehood. Visitor hours and locations for all of History Colorado’s museums can be found here.

About History Colorado
History Colorado is a division of the Colorado Department of Higher Education and a 501(c)3 non-profit that has served more than 75,000 students and 500,000 people in Colorado each year. It is a 144-year-old institution that operates eleven museums and historic sites, a free public research center, the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation which provides technical assistance, educational opportunities, and other access to archaeology and historic preservation, and the History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF), which is one of the nation’s largest state funded preservation programs of its kind. More than 70% of SHF grants are allocated in rural areas of the state. Additionally, the offices of the State Archaeologist and the State Historic Preservation Officer are part of History Colorado. 

History Colorado’s mission is to create a better future for Colorado by inspiring wonder in our past. We serve as the state’s memory, preserving and sharing the places, stories, and material culture of Colorado through educational programs, historic preservation grants, collecting, outreach to Colorado communities, the History Colorado Center and Stephen H. Hart Research Center in Denver, and 10 other museums and historic attractions statewide. History Colorado is one of only six Smithsonian Affiliates in Colorado. Visit HistoryColorado.org, or call 303-HISTORY, for more information. #HistoryColorado