One of the most important events in Colorado’s history was the gold rush, and if it were not for this activity, it could not have been Colorado. The discovery of different metals happened in the northeastern mountains of Colorado, and even silver and gold were found later. The gold mining activity started in the early 1850s, but the actual gold rush started in 1859 (Laugen & Frisbee, 2019). The circumstance that led to the start of the gold mining includes the rumors that Colorado had gold, especially in the rocky mountain rivers; this year, the population increased in the mining camp. The population increment brought about several changes economically, socially, and politically (Dunn, 2021). Many of the prospectors left after realizing that most gold and silver were buried deep in the soil, making the digging harder. The miners who remained opted for buying mining equipment and improving the transport standards in the region.
Several changes occurred during this time of advancing the mining and transportation system. It included the building of railway lines and roads for shipping gold and gold ores. Casual jobs of smelting of the gold ores become available, and the food business also picked up in the region (Laugen & Frisbee, 2019). The expansion of gold mining activities also led to the displacement of the native Americans since many companies were coming in day by day. The settling of these miners also led to deforestation and environmental pollution by digging dangerous holes. On the other hand, employment opportunities rose since the drivers for the trucks to ship the gold ores and the gold smelters (Laugen & Frisbee, 2019). Food businesses also arose since the workers in the mines needed to refresh their energy by eating; therefore, during this time, employment opportunities were increasing, and infrastructural development was also taking place. The mining activities generated a lot of income that was used to develop Colorado only, but after 1930, the state was neither able to produce a lot of income nor create employment for the people as it did before.
The capitalist also contributed hugely to Colorado’s economic development. They managed this by lending money to the miners to advance their activities, which expanded their businesses to greater levels, making the region more productive, such as expanding transport sectors. Due to the growth in the population, it was essential for the establishment of political organizations. These elections of different positions, such as president, secretaries, marshal, and treasurers, were crucial in the mining districts to monitor the flow and usage of goods in the regions (Dunn, 2021). These political establishments were to formulate regulations to protect human rights and the environment and also to guide mining practices within the region. Environmental pollution through cutting down the trees and digging mining holes and displacement of native Americans became concerns to be addressed. Gold had great value, and due to this, its discovery linked the western world and the capitalist; without both the gold discovery and capitalism, no changes and improvement could have taken place (Dunn, 2021). Only after the gold discovery that the white settlement became rampant, which led to the creation of mineral districts and their law codes.
The development of Colorado had some great connections in activities, changes, and concerns since one activity led to another incidence. The rumoring of Colorado to be having gold and silver led to miners’ attraction; these miners advanced their operation technologies ranging from mining to transportation (Laugen & Frisbee, 2019). The value of gold attracted capitalists who also acted as financiers who funded the minors in expanding and bettering their operations; this expansion led to the growth of mining activity. The growth of mining practices led to deforestation and environmental damage through the digging of mining holes. Population increment was also observed, which called for creating policies to ensure public safety and environmental protection (Dunn, 2021). Population growth and technological advancement also created employment opportunities and new towns such as Denver and Boulder, strengthening Colorado’s economy.
References
Dunn, J. T. (2021). Golden mountains: Pike’s Peak, Western capitalism, and the making of the Colorado state: 1858-1876 (Paper 1296) [Honors thesis, Colby College]. Digital Commons @ Colby.
Laugen, T., & Frisbee, M. (2019). How did gold and silver change Colorado? Colorado History Detectives. Web.