elkduds
Well-known member
Mining brought the first large European influx here. CO was marginal for ag compared to states east of the 100th meridian; too arid, per John Wesley Powell. Market "harvesters" took a massive toll on game species and timber. Grizzlies, bison and elk were eradicated here. When the fast fortunes of mining had established cities, government, railroads, and displaced the original natives, then ag flourished (P I) w the advent of irrigation. In the mountains grazing got a foothold because of federal lands available for seasonal grazing @ very low cost.Generally speaking, and I'm painting with a huge brush, Colorado was a rural farming ranching state. People who grew up here, went to school here, had friends or were themselves in the ag industry/ hunted/fished etc.
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