In 1861, the U.S. Congress carved Colorado’s boundaries representing no river, mountain range, tribe, or language group to enclose five distinct areas that are now Southern Colorado; Western Colorado; the Eastern Plains; the Front Range along the eastern face of the mountains; and Metropolitan Denver. Each of these regions within the state’s man-made boundaries vastly differs in terms of populations, communities, cultures, communications, and economies that have evolved from their varied geography and histories.

For release in 2023, Colorado Humanities and Denver-based HaveyPro Cinema are producing a 90-minute documentary film, The Five States of Colorado. Designed for a wide range of audiences from elementary school-age to adults, the film will address the history and issues within these five regions, or “states,” to inform, educate, and serve as a basis for community and classroom discussion. The film will be an easily accessible and engaging exploration and illustration of the history, culture, present-day facts and perspectives, concerns, and needs of each of the five featured regions, and a powerful contribution to public education and discourse.

The Five States of Colorado will premiere in Denver with follow-up regional screenings throughout the state. Now in post-production, it will be made available as a free, streaming video or download to every public, school, and academic library in Colorado