Fort Chambers / Poor Farm Management Plan

Tribal Representatives toured the land where Fort Chambers is believed to have stood. Staff and tribal representatives discussed the specific open space purposes in the city charter, approved by city voters in 1986, and how those purposes guide day-to-day and long-term stewardship of city open space. Tribal Representatives stressed that staff should not focus only on Fort Chambers but also communicate important historical events that took place before and after the massacre. Representatives also said it is critical to reflect Indigenous perspectives in how the events and stories are told.

Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) shared information on the city-managed Fort Chambers / Poor Farm property to help inform future property stewardship. "Despite its historical significance as the likely location of Fort Chambers, the land is where Boulder County once operated a "poor farm" between 1902 and 1918. The land also has a Queen Anne Victorian house that has been included in the National Register of Historic Places and has significant agricultural and ecological resources.

City staff provided updates on their collaborative work with the Arapaho and Cheyenne Nations to Tribal Representatives from other Tribal Nations during a March 2023 Tribal Consultation. City staff thanks those Tribal Representatives for supporting Arapaho and Cheyenne Nations during the meeting.

The City of Boulder removed an inaccurate and misleading historical marker that marked the location of Fort Chambers, where Company D of the Third Colorado Cavalry trained before participating in atrocities at the Sand Creek Massacre on Nov. 29, 1864. The city removed the marker from city-managed open space – with support from Arapaho and Cheyenne Nation Tribal Representatives – because it inaccurately states that Fort Chambers was used in an “Indian Uprising” in 1864.

Tribal Representatives visited Boulder and participated in a workshop with city staff to discuss their preferences for the site and their desired long-term relationship with the land. A key guiding theme for the land that resonated with Tribal Representatives and city staff was “Heal the Land, Heal the People” through:

• Prioritizing future stewardship on ecological restoration and exploring opportunities for indigenous plantings and harvesting by Tribal members.
• Acknowledging its connection to the Sand Creek Massacre through education and interpretation.
• Providing space for healing, such as a “healing trail” and areas for reflection and offerings.

Tribal Representatives supported continuing agricultural uses on the property and using the Queen-Anne style house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to support agricultural operations. There was interest in exploring potential educational uses as well.

Tribal Representatives said they were not interested in owning the Fort Chambers / Poor Farm property but would like to remain involved long-term by providing meaningful input and advice on future land stewardship and education/interpretive materials.

OSMP used Tribal Representative guidance from the July 2023 consultation to start developing a draft “Concept Plan” for the land. Key elements include:

• Creating a proposed “Healing Trail” and interpretive areas to provide educational opportunities and support programs with themes that include healing, forgiveness, cultural history, ecology and agriculture. The trail could also provide access to indigenous planting areas, connections to water and views of restoration areas. Trail access would be for hikers only so as not to detract from healing and contemplation.
• Supporting access with improved visitor infrastructure, such as an improved entrance drive to provide safe access for visitors, along with a small parking lot with a bus pull-out to accommodate visitors and groups.
• Conducting ecological restoration and conservation work, such as enhancing wildlife habitat and removing invasive weed species.
• Preserving existing agricultural values on the land, using the house and other structures on the property to support agricultural operations. The city and Tribal Nations can also explore possible educational opportunities as a secondary use.

On March 13, 2024, Tribal Representatives joined Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) staff to present the draft Concept Plan to the Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT). Watch the meeting video, where Tribal Representatives shared their comments on the concept plan and their collaboration with city Open Space and Mountain Parks staff.