Unit Overview: How have various people, groups, and cultures impacted the development of Colorado?

In this unit, students will explore the history of the first people who inhabited what is now Colorado. They will learn about the different periods of human occupation, including the Archaic and Paleo periods, and gain an understanding of the Indigenous cultures that lived in the region in the past and today.  By the end of this unit, students will have gained a deeper understanding of the first people in what is now Colorado. They will explore different periods of human occupation, the cultural practices and traditions of Indigenous groups and the interactions between various groups. Students will develop skills in analyzing primary sources, understanding historical perspectives, using geographic tools, and recognizing the influence of the physical environment on human activities. This unit will foster an appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of Colorado's first people and provide insights into the historical and geographical development of the region.

The highlighted evidence outcomes are the priority for all students, serving as the essential concepts and skills. It is recommended that the remaining evidence outcomes listed be addressed as time allows, representing the full breadth of the curriculum.

Students Can (Evidence Outcomes):

• Draw inferences about Colorado history from primary sources such as journals, diaries, maps, treaties, oral histories, etc. (1.1.a)

• Explain, through multiple perspectives, the human interactions among people and cultures that are indigenous to or migrated to present-day Colorado. Including but not limited to: historic tribes of Colorado, the Ute Mountain Ute, Southern Ute, Spanish explorers, trappers, and traders.  (1.1.c)

• Construct a timeline of the major events in Colorado history. (1.2.a)

• Explain the relationship between major events in Colorado history and events in United States history during the same era. Including but not limited to: Colorado statehood, the Ludlow and Sand Creek Massacres, creation of national parks in Colorado, the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, Amaché, Chicano movement, and busing in Denver. (1.2.b)

• Describe both past and present interactions among the people and cultures in Colorado. For example: African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQ, and religious groups. (1.2.c)

• Illustrate, using geographic tools, how places in Colorado have changed and developed over time due to human activity. (2.1.d)

• Describe how the physical environment provides opportunities for and places constraints on human activities. (2.2.a)

• Analyze how people use geographic factors in creating settlements and have adapted to and modified the local physical environment. (2.2.c)

Possible Assessments:

• Chapter 2 from Colorado Story

  • Chapter Assessment

  • Writing Activities

  • DBQ Item Set

  • Lessons 1-3 Review

Instructional Resources & Notes:

• Chapter 2 from Colorado Story lessons 1-3

• Go the the Source Activity from Colorado Story

• Lesson Suggestions from Colorado Story