But lurking deep within the earth were untapped riches. All that was needed was a way to explore, mine and recover those treasures. When Colorado became a state two years later, the Colorado School of Mines was constitutionally established in the fledgling town of Golden. While the school originally focused exclusively on nonfuel minerals, it now offers high-tech majors such as petroleum and chemical engineering as well as nontechnical studies. With so much to do off campus, it is a wonder CSM students ever study.
Ski slopes are less than two hours away and the town of Golden is a gem.
While in Golden, see the Buffalo Bill Memorial Museum and Grave, Heritage Square, the Boettcher Mansion, the new American Mountaineering Center, the Foothills Art Center and Foss General Store. Tours of the Coors Brewery and CSM's experimental mine near Idaho Springs are also available. Pueblo, home of USC, was once a busy trading center for Mexicans, trappers and the Ute, Cheyenne, Arapaho and Kiowa tribes. Some of the state's most rugged beauty can be found at the Colorado National Monument, with its sandstone monoliths and red rock canyons, near Grand Junction. Other places to visit are Dinosaur Valley and the nearby town of Palisade which boasts six wineries.