From History Colorado:
Now available at archaeologybenefitscolorado.com, Archaeology for a Changing Colorado offers a comprehensive new picture of the field’s bedrock importance to Colorado’s economic, social, and environmental vitality. Made possible by a grant from the History Colorado State Historical Fund, the report offers insights relevant to rural areas and major urban centers alike. It is released as History Colorado’s Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation rolls out newly optimized services and fees at historycolorado.org/file-access.
While the economic and social benefits of this work are myriad, the report shows that the primary impact of archaeological work comes from its fundamental and robust support for heritage tourism, which generated $10.5 billion in direct spending in Colorado and supported 79,000 jobs here in 2019 alone. Colorado’s scenic and historic byways—many of which, such as the 480-mile Trail of the Ancients, specifically highlight Colorado’s archaeological resources—provide one of the most widespread and accessible ways for Coloradans to enjoy and benefit from archaeological exploration within this sector. Since 2015, tourist spending along Colorado’s 26 byways resulted in almost 29,000 jobs and over $1.2 billion in labor earnings. Thirteen of Colorado’s 26 byways are also designated as America’s Byways by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation—more national designations than any other state.
This Native American Heritage Month (November 2021), Coloradans can discover the state’s newest byway, which is the 125-mile Tracks Across Borders Byway that connects Durango with Chama, New Mexico. Via the sovereign nations of the Southern Ute and the Jicarilla tribes, it includes cultural heritage sites like Chimney Rock National Monument and the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum. Members of Colorado’s two resident tribal nations are key stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries of Colorado’s archaeological work. In 2019, the estimated impact of the 134 Colorado museums that focus on archaeology, anthropology, Native American history and culture, and state and local history (which often includes Native American history) was more than $534 million. This includes the creation of over 8,000 jobs paying over $380 million in labor income.
Archaeology is the study of the human past through material culture, or artifacts. Colorado is home to some of the most culturally sensitive, scientifically significant, and beautiful archaeological sites in the world, ranging from internationally prominent parks and monuments to tens of thousands of undetected sites. Archaeological sites are widespread in Colorado, and the benefits that come from archaeological investigations contribute to the prosperity of communities throughout all corners of the state. In addition to studying economic findings, readers can explore maps, photos, and 22 highlighted projects in the report, which was prepared by Crow Canyon Archaeological Center and Clarion Associates working closely with the Office of the State Archaeologist at History Colorado.
Mining sites and ghost towns in mountain communities, old homesteads on the Great Plains, rock art on the Western Slope, and Indigenous sites in the San Luis Valley demonstrate the statewide scope of archaeology’s benefits to all Coloradans. Places like Dolores, Fairplay, Pagosa Springs, Trinidad, and Wray show that rural and small-town Colorado is rich with sites of great archaeological importance. Archaeological sites in urban areas also benefit rapidly growing communities by preserving land and minimizing urban sprawl, exemplified by the Magic Mountain site in Golden.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the spirit of healing and education, we acknowledge the 48 contemporary tribes with historic ties to the state of Colorado. These tribes are our partners. We consult with them when we plan exhibits; collect, preserve, and interpret artifacts; do archaeological work; and create educational programs. We recognize these Indigenous peoples as the original inhabitants of this land.
View the full press release on the report here.