Colorado outlaws

Colorado’s rugged landscape and booming mining industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries created a fertile ground for outlaw activity. These individuals, driven by a variety of motives ranging from economic desperation to personal vendettas, left their mark on the state’s history.

They often operated across state lines and frequently relocated to evade capture. However, based on historical records and the locations of their known crimes, we can identify several areas where outlaw activity was particularly concentrated.

Where were Colorado’s outlaws?

• Mining towns: The Colorado Gold Rush attracted a surge of prospectors and opportunists, creating a fertile ground for crime. Towns like Telluride, Cripple Creek, and Leadville witnessed numerous robberies, fueled by the presence of gold and the influx of various individuals seeking quick wealth.
• Mountain ranges: Rugged landscapes like the San Juan Mountains and the Rocky Mountains offered outlaws natural hideouts and made it easier for them to evade law enforcement. Gangs like the Ham Math Gang and the Reed Brothers took advantage of this terrain for their activities.
• Transportation routes: Stagecoaches and trains were prime targets for robberies, and outlaws often operated along these routes. The San Luis Valley saw its share of such crimes due to its location on major transportation arteries.

Who were Colorado’s Outlaws

Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch

• Active years: 1880s – 1908 (estimated)
• Number of robberies: Over 20 banks and trains (estimated)
• Claim to fame: Arguably the most iconic outlaws of the era, known for their daring heists and international escape attempts. Their first bank robbery occurred in Telluride, Colorado in 1889.
• End of an Era: The exact details of Butch Cassidy’s and the Sundance Kid’s demise remain unclear. Unconfirmed reports suggest they died in a shootout with Bolivian forces in 1908, marking the end of an era for the Wild Bunch.

Tom Horn

• Active years: 1870s – 1903
• Known for: Working as a cattle detective and hired gun, his methods often blurred the lines between legality and brutality.
• Controversy: Accused of several murders, although his guilt remains unproven. Executed in 1903, becoming a controversial figure in Colorado history.  Some believed him to be a cold-blooded killer, while others championed him as a misunderstood figure, a victim of corrupt legal systems and powerful cattle barons. The truth behind his actions and motives remains obscured by uncertainties and conflicting narratives.

Pearl Hart

• Active year: 1899 (single robbery)
• Claim to fame: One of the few female outlaws of the Wild West, gained notoriety for her stagecoach robbery near Douglas, Wyoming in 1899. The robbery was botched, with only a small amount of money stolen. However, what truly propelled Hart into the spotlight was her gender.
• Legacy: Though her criminal career was brief, she became a symbol of female defiance in the Wild West. While portrayed as a brazen outlaw in the media, there’s evidence suggesting that Hart’s role in the robbery might have been coerced or manipulated her boyfriend Harry “Indian” Joe Rains.

Harry Tracy (The Last Desperado)

• Active years: 1890s – 1902
• Known for: Daring escapes from jail, including one from the Steamboat Springs jail in 1901.
• Legacy: After his escape, Tracy allegedly joined “Robbers’ Roost” in Colorado, a notorious gang known for its robberies and violence. From 1901 onwards, Tracy embarked on a spree of robberies and violence. He held up banks and murdered a deputy sheriff in Oregon, leading to his inclusion on the Pinkerton Detective Agency’s “Most Wanted” list.

Beyond the Icons

While the above figures are widely recognized, Colorado’s outlaw history extends far beyond them. Exploring further reveals:

• The Telluride Trio: William “Billy” Mathews, Harvey Logan, and David “Diamond Dave” Fallon, known for their bank robberies in Colorado, including the San Miguel Valley Bank (later targeted by Butch Cassidy).
• The Ham Math Gang: Brothers Henry and Alfred Ham Math, who terrorized the San Juan Mountains with stagecoach and mining camp robberies in the late 1870s.
• The Reed Brothers: Jim and Frank Reed, notorious for cattle rustling and lawlessness in the San Luis Valley during the early 1880s.

Beyond the Romance

It’s crucial to remember that these stories are not simply tales of romanticized adventure. These individuals operated outside the law, causing harm to innocent people and communities. While their narratives offer a glimpse into a bygone era, it’s important to understand them within historical context and acknowledge the human cost associated with their actions.

By exploring the lives of these outlaws and the broader historical context, we gain a deeper understanding of Colorado’s complex past and the factors that shaped its development.

Ever visited Colorado’s ghost towns? 👻 These abandoned settlements hold a unique place in history, offering a glimpse into the past.