Boulder plans to ‘heal the land, heal the people’ through transformation of historic fort, farm

BOULDER, Colo. — Not far from Boulder’s iconic Flatirons, tucked between farms and winding roads popular with cyclists, a plot of land with a complicated history will soon be transformed.

The City of Boulder is working with Cheyenne Arapaho tribal representatives to come up with a plan to restore the environment, preserve its farming past and present — and grapple with the site’s role in the Sand Creek Massacre.

Boulder took ownership of the land as open space in 2018, and recently released a draft plan for its future.

“One thing that’s really important is just taking a step back and thinking what our history has been, where we’ve come from, and the opportunity to move forward,” said Phillip Yates, a spokesperson for the City of Boulder.

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Boulder is planning a new purpose for an historic plot of land. You have until Sunday to share your thoughts on the project.

By:Angelika Albaladejo

Posted at 6:47 PM, Apr 12, 2024

and last updated6:02 AM, Apr 15, 2024

BOULDER, Colo. — Not far from Boulder’s iconic Flatirons, tucked between farms and winding roads popular with cyclists, a plot of land with a complicated history will soon be transformed.

The City of Boulder is working with Cheyenne Arapaho tribal representatives to come up with a plan to restore the environment, preserve its farming past and present — and grapple with the site’s role in the Sand Creek Massacre.

Boulder took ownership of the land as open space in 2018, and recently released a draft plan for its future.

“One thing that’s really important is just taking a step back and thinking what our history has been, where we’ve come from, and the opportunity to move forward,” said Phillip Yates, a spokesperson for the City of Boulder.

Since the late 1800s, the land has been a farm, a gravel mine, a wildlife habitat and a training ground for soldiers, known as Fort Chambers.

“This history is bound up with trauma, heartache and a recognition for us to do right with our Arapaho and Cheyenne partners,” Yates said.

At Fort Chambers in 1864, more than 100 soldiers mobilized into Company D of the Third Colorado Cavalry. A monument placed in the area in the 1950s said the “old Fort Chambers” was “used during the Indian Uprising.” That marker has since been removed because of its inaccuracy.

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