History of slavery in Colorado

A group of Ute people. Utes and other Native Americans were enslaved by Spanish colonialists beginning in the 16th century. They were called Genízaros. After bands of Native Americans, like the Utes and Comanche, obtained horses from the Spanish, they rode horseback into villages of other indigenous people, captured children and adults, and sold them into slavery.

The history of slavery in Colorado began centuries before Colorado achieved statehood when Spanish colonists of Santa Fe de Nuevo México (1598–1848) enslaved Native Americans, called Genízaros. Southern Colorado was part of the Spanish territory until 1848. Comanche and Utes raided villages of other indigenous people and enslaved them.

Colorado was partially delayed from becoming a state due to its requirement for suffrage for African Americans.[needs citation] African American pioneers came to the territory prior to the American Civil War, including James Beckwourth who was an explorer and mountain man beginning in 1822. Clara Brown came to the territory in search of her daughter and became a successful businesswoman, investor, and philanthropist. [needs citation][Barney Ford]] and Edward J. Sanderlin were successful businessmen, and William Jefferson Hardin was a legislator and mayor of Leadville.[needs citation]

There were some instances of slavery in the early 19th century, such as Charlotte and Dick Green who were brought to what is now Colorado by Charles and William Bent and worked at Bent's Fort beginning in 1833. Former enslaved men and women settled in Colorado, establishing themselves as business people, legislators, and other professions.[needs citation]

In 1877, the state passed a law that made slavery and servitude illegal, except for convicted individuals. In 2018, an Amendment was passed to make slavery, or forced labor, of convicted people illegal.