El Paso County, Jefferson Territory facts for kids
El Paso County was a special kind of county that existed for a short time in a place called the Territory of Jefferson. This territory wasn't officially recognized by the United States government. El Paso County was around from November 1859 to February 1861. Its main town, or "county seat," was Colorado City.
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The Story of El Paso County
Why People Formed a New Territory
In July 1858, people found gold near the South Platte River. This started the exciting Pike's Peak Gold Rush. Many miners and settlers moved to the area hoping to find riches. However, they felt very far away from the official governments of Kansas and Nebraska.
Because they felt disconnected, these settlers decided to create their own government. On October 24, 1859, they voted to form the Territory of Jefferson.
How El Paso County Was Created
About a month later, on November 28, 1859, the new government of the Territory of Jefferson set up 12 counties. El Paso County was one of them.
The new law described the borders of El Paso County. It started at the South Platte River, went east, then south, then west to the Rocky Mountains, and then north along the mountains back to the river.
What's in a Name?
El Paso County got its name from the Spanish language phrase for Ute Pass. This pass is a mountain route located north of Pikes Peak. The name "El Paso" means "the pass" in Spanish.
The End of Jefferson Territory
The United States government never officially recognized the Territory of Jefferson. It was an "extralegal" territory, meaning it operated outside of the law.
However, things changed on February 28, 1861. The U.S. President, James Buchanan, signed a law creating the official Colorado Territory. This new territory covered much of the same land.
Later that year, on November 1, 1861, the new Colorado Territory government organized its own counties. They created 17 counties, including a new El Paso County and Pueblo County. This new El Paso County is the one we know today in Colorado.
