Gold Rush Population

How many people lived in Colorado in 1860?

The Colorado gold rush began in 1859.  The 1860 U.S. Census reported 34,277 people living in what would soon become Colorado Territory.  For a census taker, counting miners spread out in rugged, roadless territory was a near impossible challenge. No doubt many people were missed. Some sources report as many as 50,000 people arrived in the gold fields in 1859. However, those who failed to strike it rich often returned to their homes in the East. In the 1860 count less than 15% of residents lived in towns. The people of Colorado Territory were young: 55% were between ages 15 and 24 and 38% between 25 and 44. Only 5% of residents were women and only 4% were children. Of course, no one counted the Indians.

Rush To The Rockies

 This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Colorado Gold Rush. Thousands of men, and a few women, came west in wagons, on horseback, and on foot expecting to find gold lying about like fallen leaves waiting to be collected. Some gold seekers were daunted by the hard work of panning or digging for gold and returned home. Of those who remained, a few made fortunes. Others started businesses to supply the communities that built up around the mining areas.  Within two years Colorado Territory was established and settlement continued to grow. 

          If the gold rush had not occurred, we probably would not know Chipeta’s name today. Without the conflicts resulting from this invasion of Ute territory, Ouray might have become a chief, but one known only among the Ute people.  Chipeta would have lived her life as a traditional Ute wife and died in the mountainous land her people had called home for many generations. I think she would have preferred it that way.