The Inter-Ocean Hotel in Denver. Photo credit: Denver Public Library Special Collections.
When we think about Colorado’s past, names like Kit Carson and Buffalo Bill might come to mind. But Black Coloradans have been just as instrumental in shaping the state’s legacy. It’s downright wrong that Colorado students don’t learn about them right along with the likes of Molly Brown… she didn’t fight segregation in schools or provide medical care when racist rules prevented Black Coloradans from getting the treatment they needed. But guess who did; these pioneering lawmakers, fearless cowboys, and impactful entrepreneurs.
Black Coloradans Who Changed Our History (and Future)
Barney Ford: From Enslavement to Entrepreneurial Icon
Photo Credit: historycolorado.org
Meet Barney Ford. Born into slavery in 1822, Ford made his way to Colorado during the Gold Rush. Spoiler: He didn’t strike gold. But he did strike opportunity.
Ford built hotels, restaurants, and real estate ventures, all while championing voting rights for Black men. His opulent Inter-Ocean Hotel in Denver was a hospitality marvel, welcoming guests of all races at a time when that was unheard of. Ford’s influence ran so deep that Colorado honored him with a stained-glass portrait in the State Capitol—an elite club of two, with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. being the only other Black member.
Justina Ford: The Doctor Who Delivered Over 7,000 Babies (Because Denver Hospitals Wouldn’t Let Her Work)
Photo Credit: The Black American West Museum & Heritage Center, uchealth.org
Denver’s first Black female physician, Dr. Justina Ford, didn’t just break barriers — she bulldozed them. After earning her medical degree in 1899, she moved to Denver, only to be promptly denied hospital privileges because of her race and gender. Undeterred, she opened her own practice—out of her home.
For decades, Ford treated patients of all backgrounds, particularly immigrants and Black families denied care elsewhere. Her legacy? The Black American West Museum now stands where her home and clinic once did, honoring her unwavering dedication to healthcare equity.
James Beckwourth: The Mountain Man Who Rewrote the Map
Photo Credit: allseasonsadventures.com
If Hollywood ever decides to make a movie about a real-life action hero, James Beckwourth should be the lead. Born into slavery in the early 1800s, he escaped and became a legendary fur trapper, trader, and explorer.
Beckwourth didn’t just explore the Wild West. He defined it. He discovered what’s now known as Beckwourth Pass, a crucial route through the Sierra Nevada. His autobiography, The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth, gave America one of its first insider looks at frontier life from a Black perspective.
Hattie McDaniel: Hollywood’s First Black Oscar Winner (and a Denverite, No Less)
Photo Credit: kmuw.org
Before she made history as the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for Gone with the Wind, Hattie McDaniel called Denver home. Born in Wichita, she grew up in the Mile High City and honed her talents in local theaters.
But her success came at a cost. Hollywood typecast her into maid roles, a painful reality for Black actors of the time. But McDaniel wasn’t just a trailblazer on screen. She was a staunch advocate for Black performers and, in her later years, even challenged racist housing laws in Los Angeles. Today, her legacy is honored in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood.
George Morrison Sr.: The Jazz Maestro of Denver
Photo Credit: denverparktrust.org
Long before Five Points was known as the “Harlem of the West,” George Morrison Sr. was laying the groundwork for Denver’s jazz scene. A violin prodigy and composer, Morrison led some of the most prominent jazz orchestras in the early 20th century, drawing national attention to Denver’s thriving music culture.
Morrison’s influence wasn’t just musical—he used his platform to push for racial equality in Denver’s entertainment industry, ensuring that Black musicians had opportunities to perform in major venues. His legacy continues through Denver’s vibrant jazz scene, celebrated annually at the Five Points Jazz Festival.
Marie L. Greenwood: Paving the Way in Education
Photo Credit: kdvr.com
When Marie L. Greenwood became one of the first Black teachers in Denver Public Schools in 1938, it was a milestone not just for her but for an entire generation of students. Throughout her career, she fought for integration and equity in education, ensuring that Black students received the same quality schooling as their white peers.
Her impact was so profound that Denver named an elementary school after her; an enduring testament to her contributions to education and civil rights.
Omar Blair: Tuskegee Airman Turned Denver Trailblazer
Photo credit: Denver Public Library Special Collections.
Fighter pilot? Check. Civil rights advocate? Check. School board president? Also, check. Omar Blair’s resume reads like a hero’s journey. A Tuskegee Airman during World War II, he later brought that same tenacity to Denver, becoming the first Black president of the Denver Board of Education. His leadership played a crucial role in desegregating Denver’s public schools, proving that the fight for justice wasn’t limited to the battlefield.
Black History in Colorado
These pioneers… entrepreneurs, doctors, warriors, and artists… weren’t just part of history; they shaped it. Colorado’s Black history is a testament to the resilience, brilliance, and unshakable spirit of those who stood up for their beliefs and for the betterment of the Centennial State.
We’re always working toward a more inclusive Colorado. Here are some things you can do:
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Report Fair Housing Act violations. If you see, hear about, or experience discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and sexual harassment), national origin, disability, or familial status, don't look the other way.
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Support local Black-owned establishments, nonprofits, and cultural institutions year-round. View our guide for a comprehensive list.
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Vote for representatives working to advance equity.
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Visit the Black American West Museum to honor Dr. Justina Ford and the Black pioneers of the West.
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Learn about the Black epicenter of Colorado: Five Points.
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