ROOTS OF THE ROCKIES
Kolyn Boyd and Lindsey Granger dig beneath the postcard-perfect landscapes of Colorado to uncover a narrative of sacred homelands, the untold legacy of Black cowboys, and the rugged survival of mountain pioneers. The journey begins at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek—the sacred heart of downtown Denver—where Rick Williams of People of Sacred Land reveals the 11,000-year history of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Ute nations. Facing the 'hard truths' of history, Mayor Mike Johnston discusses the city's commitment to recognition, including the creation of the first American Indian cultural embassy. The exploration continues at the Black American West Museum, where the hosts rediscover the 'lost brand' of the frontier: the Black cowboys and Exodusters who made up one in three cattle drivers in the Old West. Transitioning from the plains to the peaks, the team heads to Telluride and Winter Park to experience the evolution of mountain life. From the 19th-century 'Norwegian snowshoes' used by miners to high-speed snowmobile treks through the Silverton Caldera, the episode captures the adrenaline of the Rockies' gold-mining past. The journey concludes with a taste of the land, from traditional chokecherry puddings to a six-course Creole menu at The Tunnel—a modern speakeasy that honors the secret history of Prohibition-era Colorado.



















