Country Profile

USA-Colorado

A wagon train of 43 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints camped at Fort Pueblo in Colorado in 1846, after their journey was postponed. Several others joined the camp during the winter, including wives and children of Mormon Battalion members preparing to fight in the Mexican-American War. By the winter's end, 275 were in the camp. Some joined Church President Brigham Young's company traveling west while some joined family members traveling east. Others joined later wagon trains.

The first congregation of the Church in Colorado was organized in January 1897, one year after a mission was established in the area. Several Church immigrants settled communities in Conejos County, Manassa, Richfield, and Sanford. Missionaries campaigned against the growing number of saloons in 1909. In 1911, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, based in Utah, toured Colorado. The Church was publicized after completion of the Denver Colorado Temple in 1986.


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