Land of Contrast: A History of Southeast Colorado BLM Cultural Resources Series (Colorado: No. 17)

This publication represents our final Class I History of Colorado. The volume provides baseline information about the history of the Bureau of Land Management's Royal Gorge and San Luis Resource Areas. This work contains the history of thirteen Colorado counties and a large geographic region ranging from South Park to the San Luis Valley, and eastward down the lower Arkansas River.

A major objective of the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, is to study and preserve significant cultural values. Evidences of our history and national heritage cover large areas of public lands. In order to provide for the orderly and careful evaluation of these places, these baseline narratives give our specialists and managers information by which to wisely conserve our historic traditions.

This volume is the last of five histories that have been prepared by the Colorado State Office, Bureau of Land Management. I am pleased to note that in 1984 this series was presented with a Certificate of Commendation by the American Association of State and Local History for its excellence. I am pleased to share this award winning book with you, and I hope that BLM's contribution to the body of history is both long lasting and useful, to the professional and the general public alike.

Kannon Richards
State Director, Colorado
Bureau of Land Management