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The Trust Project

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(Provided by Gigafact.)

In the 1800s, parts of what later became western and southern Colorado were claimed by both the Republic of Texas and Mexico.

Texas asserted its borders extended to parts of modern-day New Mexico, Colorado and even Wyoming. The formerly disputed territory includes Aspen, Vail, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs and Rawlins, Wyoming. 

Mexico did not recognize Texas’ claims, leading to border skirmishes that became a justification for the Mexican-American war in 1846. The war ended in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, in which Mexico agreed to cede 55% of its land to the U.S., or around 525,000 square miles, including parts of what later became Colorado.

The U.S. government purchased Texas’ claims to Colorado in 1850. These lands, combined with territory acquired through the Louisiana Purchase and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, became the Colorado Territory in 1861. Colorado became a state in 1876.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

See full source list below.

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References:

The Annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1845-1848, Office of the Historian, accessed in Oct. 2024. Source link.

Today in History - August 1, Colorado, Library of Congress, accessed in October 2024. Source link.

Far from the Heart of Texas, Steamboat Magazine, Sept. 5, 2022. Source link.

The Republic of Texas and the United States in 1837, Library of Congress, accessed in Oct 2024. Source link.

Type of Story: Fact-Check

Checks a specific statement or set of statements asserted as fact.

Por recently graduated from CU Boulder with a master’s degree in journalism and is interested in writing about the environment and exploring local stories. When not working on some form of writing, Por is either looking for Thai food or petting...