ific coast crossed the state, and in 1846-1847 the
Mormons settled temporarily at the old Mexican town of Pueblo. John C.
Fremont had explored the region in 1842-1843 (and unofficially in later
years for railway routes), and gave juster reports of the country to the
world than his predecessors. Commerce was tributary in these years to
the (New) Mexican town of Taos.

Colorado was practically an unknown country when in 1858 gold was
discovered in the plains, on the tributaries of the South Platte, near
Denver. In 1859 various discoveries were made in the mountains. The
history of Denver goes back to this time. Julesburg, in the extreme
north-east corner, at the intersection of the Platte valley and the
overland wagon route, became transiently important during the rush of
settlers that followed. Emigration from the East was stimulated by the
panic and hard times following 1857. During 1860, 1861 and 1862 there
was a continuous stream of immigration. Denver (under its present name),
Black Hawk, Golden, Central City, Mount Vernon and Nevada City were all
founded in 1859; Breckenridge, Empire, Gold Hill, Georgetown and Mill
City date from 1860 and 1861. The political development of the next few
years was very complicated. "Arapahoe County," including all Colorado,
was organized as a part of Kansas Territory in 1858; but a delegate was
also sent to Congress to work for the admission of an independent
territory (called "Jefferson"). At the same time, early in 1860, a
movement for statehood was inaugurated, a constitution being framed and
submitted to the people, who rejected it, adopting later in the year a
constitution of territorial government. Accordingly the Territory of
Jefferson arose, assuming to rule over six degrees of latitude (37
deg.-43 deg.) and eight of longitude (102 deg.-110 deg.). Then there was
the Kansas territorial government also, and under this a full county
organization was maintained. Finally, peoples' court, acting wholly
without reference to Kansas, and with no more than suited them (some
districts refusing taxes) to the local "provisional" legislature,
secured justice in the mining country. The provisional legislature of
the Territory of Jefferson maintained a wholly illegal but rather
creditable existence somewhat precariously and ineffectively until 1861.
Its acts, owing to the indifference of the settlers, had slight
importance. Some, such as the first charter of Denver, were later
re-enacted unde