In partnership with American Legion Post 119 and in recognition of Colorado's 150th birthday, join Regis University professor and returning State Historian Nicki Gonzales for a look at the forces that shaped Colorado's formation.

Colorado's history was shaped by powerful forces of migration, industry, and conflict that transformed the region into a state. This talk explores how immigration and westward and northern migration, the growth of coal, steel, railroads, and agriculture, and the removal of Indigenous peoples laid the foundation for Colorado's political, economic, and social development. By examining these interconnected factors, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex processes that led to the formation of modern Colorado.

Bring your Colorado history questions!

About Nicki Gonzales

Dr. Nicki Gonzales is a professor of History and Vice Provost at Regis University. She is a member of History Colorado’s State Historian’s Council and will soon begin her second term as Colorado's State Historian. Dr. Gonzales is a native of Denver, and her family has deep roots in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. This personal connection to the region fuels her passion for uncovering and telling the stories of
communities that have often been overlooked in mainstream historical narratives, especially the Latino, Chicano, and Hispanic communities across Colorado and the broader American West. Dr. Gonzales specializes in the history of the American West, with a focus on race relations and social and political movements. Her research interests include the land grant movements of Southern Colorado and the experiences of Chicano Vietnam Veterans. She is also a mom and coach to her two sons, Danny and Teddy.