The Mapping of Colorado from Indigena to Statehood

Author and map history enthusiast, P.J. Anderson, will discuss his recently published book, written to commemorate the 150th year of Colorado’s Statehood.

Surviving maps trace Colorado’s pre-statehood history, showing what people knew—or thought they knew—from the 1400s to statehood nearly 400 years later. Ninety high-resolution maps depict expeditions, reservations, land grants, territories, surveys, trails, gold rush and mail routes, railroads, and city views. This publication also includes Colorado’s most complete cartobibliography, describing and discussing over 250 maps and where they can be found. 

P.J. Anderson is a mostly retired attorney and former El Paso County Planning Director and County Administrator. He later practiced law in Colorado Springs, focusing on land use, municipal law, and special districts, and is a lifelong local history and map enthusiast.