Denver Public Library, Western History Collection [C-175]

Joseph Collier

Wealthy African Americans in the West used their resources to provide services to the black community. Barney Ford, who owned and operated several Denver businesses including the Inter-Ocean Hotel, established Denver's first adult education courses for African Americans. The courses not only taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also educated blacks about the American government. When Colorado made a bid for statehood, Ford lobbied against strong opposition to prevent African Americans from losing their rights of citizenship. Colorado lost its first bid for statehood.