The most important events that happened in this area include:

- Zebulon Montgomery Pike's exploration of the Arkansas and the Red Rivers

- The 1859 Gold Rush

-The growth of cities such as Denver, Santa Fe, Cripple Creek, Colorado Springs, and to a lesser degree Albequerque

-Railroads such as the Union Pacific and the Santa Fe

- The Native Culture and their presence throughout the region.

- Don't miss the history on the other pages: mining, emigration, etc.