Southwest Politics Pathfinder

Pathfinder #12: Politics and government collections of southwestern Colorado

Scope    back to top

This pathfinder is designed to guide patrons of Delaney and Reed Libraries at Fort Lewis College in beginning their research on the history of politics and government of southwestern Colorado and beyond. The listed collections are held in the archives at Delaney Library and are available for use in the library only. The compiled list includes collections of various primary source materials, including primarily manuscripts, as well as microfilm and artifacts.

Key Terms    back to top

Administrative law--Colorado.
Education, Higher--Colorado--Planning.
Indians of North America--Government relations.
Law and legislation--Colorado.
Southwest, New--Politics and government.

Collections (listed alphabetically by title)    back to top

I 055	American Indian Tribes major council meetings records, 1914-1971: 27 rolls on microfilm. Records of meetings of Navajo, Ute, Pueblo, Cheyenne, and other Indian tribes. Includes Part 1, Section 1: 1914-1956 (13 rolls), and Part 2, Section 1: 1957-1971 (14 rolls). See M129 Microform collections finding aids for a printed guide to the collection.
M 051	Arthur Wyatt papers, 1953-1965: Papers of Colorado legislator Arthur ("Art") M. Wyatt. Includes papers on water developments in Colorado while Wyatt was a member of the Colorado General Assembly, 1953-65. Arthur Wyatt served 12 years in the state legislature, representing southwest Colorado. He was instrumental in keeping Fort Lewis College open and helped move it from Hesperus to Durango, where he assisted in planning the new campus in the mid-1950s and the establishment of the Center of Southwest Studies in 1964.
F 048	Ben Nighthorse Campbell artifacts: Furniture, framed items, and other artifacts received from the Capitol Hill office of Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. Ben Nighthorse Campbell was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992.
M 030	Ben Nighthorse Campbell papers, 1983-2004: Political papers of Ben Nighthorse Campbell from when he served in the Colorado state legislature, in the U.S. Congress, and in the U.S. Senate. Includes videotapes and audiotapes pertaining to Campbell while he served in the U.S. Congress and in the U.S. Senate.
M 031	Bob Denier papers, 1978-1990: Political papers of a former member of the Colorado Legislature. Bound published volumes (if not duplicates) are cataloged in the Delaney Library OPAC. Contents include Colorado Joint Budget Committee appropriations reports, circa 1989-1990 (accession 1994:11002); Bob DeNier's correspondence, 1989-1990 (accession 1991:01002); and a bankers box of his papers, unprocessed.
I 009	Certificates of ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights records (RG 11), 1787-1792: Includes related correspondence and rejections of proposed amendments in addition to Bill of Rights. National Archives microfilm publication M338, 1 roll.
I 090	Colorado counties data on microfiche: Statistical reports pertaining to Archuleta, Dolores, Montezuma, San Juan, and San Miguel counties of Colorado. Arranged under county by subjects, such as general description, agriculture, climate, communications, employment, education, government, etc.
I 083	Colorado Revised Statutes on microfiche, 1973-1992: See 7 pages of packing lists (in collection case file), which serve as the guide to the 20 microfiched volumes.
M 034	Dan Noble papers, 1970-1986: Political papers of a former majority leader in the Colorado Senate. Includes correspondence, memos, legislative files, subject files, and published materials. Dan Noble was majority leader in the Colorado Senate from 1979 until he retired in 1986. A resident of Norwood, he represented 11 Western Slope counties for 16 years. Legislative priorities were higher education, tax policy, highways, water and resources.
M 027	Durango, CO city government records, 1884-present: By Resolution R-1983-3, the Durango City Government designated the Center of Southwest Studies the repository for certain selected historical records of the City. The records available for public study by this arrangement remain the property of the City. Includes records of the former Animas City, Colorado, which was incorporated into the City of Durango in the 1960s.
M 104	Helene Monberg papers, 1953-1969: Newspaper clippings, news releases and other printed materials regarding the Upper Colorado River, 1950s-1960s. Also, more recently acquired government documents compiled by Monberg. Monberg was a Washington D.C. based western newspaper correspondent during her career.
M 032	Jim Dyer papers, 1800-1996 (bulk 1969-1996): Historically significant papers from the personal and political life of State Congressman Jim Dyer. Largest series is legislative subject files, regarding issues of business, education, the elderly, and family farms and ranches.
M 029	La Plata County Colorado Democratic Party Central Committee records: Records and correspondence of the local Democratic organization. Archives students (Diana Novara, Susan Roth, Marti Stebbins, Robert Yazzie) arranged much of the collection (accession 1984:04025) during the Fall of 2001.
M 028	La Plata County government records, 1882-1993: Ledgers, minutes and other original records deaccessioned from the Court House. Includes many claims allowed, and tax assessment ledgers. Also includes records dating back to when Parrott City was the county seat and 70 school census lists, 1905-1907. The County Commissioners designated the Center of Southwest Studies as the repository for selected historical records of the La Plata County government.
M 139	League of Women Voters of La Plata County records, 1944-2006: Historically significant records and printed materials pertaining to the League of Women Voters, especially the local chapter.
M 053-057	Pete Domenici printed materials, 1980-1982: News releases, newsletters to constituents, and an excerpt from the Congressional Record pertaining to the Senator from New Mexico.
M 242	Roy E. Wells collection, 1969-1986: During his terms as Representative and Senator, Roy Wells would become very influential to both the State of Colorado and the Native American Indian community. His most influential bills and acts were the Commission on Indian Affairs with the Ute Mountain Utes and Southern Utes, the Auction Sales of Jewelry, the Indian Arts & Crafts Sales Act, the Fort Lewis College building expansion, and most notably, House Bill 1452, which dealt with the Tuition Waver for Native American Indians at Fort Lewis College.
M 033	Scott McInnis papers, 1983-2004: Scrapbook (1983-1986) of a Colorado politician. Also, some of his office records when he was serving as Majority Leader in the Colorado State House of Representatives, 1983-1992, including biographical files, constituent correspondence, legislative files, etc. In 1992, Congressman McInnis was elected to his first term in the U.S. 3rd Congressional District, which is larger than the state of Florida (the only larger district is in Alaska); it covers 67,000 square miles and 36 counties.
M 142	Southwest political campaigns materials, 1986-2006: Printed materials pertaining to political campaigns in Southwest Colorado and the Four Corners area, representing all levels of government. Includes posters, brochures, leaflets, ephemera, bumper stickers, and other campaign materials. See also some political posters in posters boxes.
M 053-035	Tom O. Kimball papers, 1945-1962: Biographical notes and photocopied clippings. Tom Kimball was a Colorado state legislator (House of Representatives and Senate) from Durango.

More Resources back to top

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774 - present

• Colorado Legislators Past & Present: This online database compiled by the Colorado Joint Legislative Library provides legislative information on former and current Colorado legislators as an aid to the general public and researchers.