Golden Gate Canyon in Jefferson County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Chinese in Colorado
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, September 24, 2026
1. Chinese in Colorado Marker
Between two and three hundred Chinese immigrants settled in the vicinity of Central City and Black Hawk in the 1870s, forming the state’s second-largest Chinese community (behind Denver). Most were former railroad construction workers who moved here in search of better prospects. But then, prospects for Chinese in the West were always limited by language barriers, discriminatory laws, and outright racism. Chinese mine workers in Central City earned lower wages that European immigrants did, and their only opportunities to mine for themselves were on leased claims that others had given up for dead. Yet they made those claims pay. This pattern repeated itself throughout the state: Chinese residents made the most of less-than-ideal circumstances, carving out livings as laborers, miners, and entrepreneurs – and doing much of the hard work involved in building Colorado. Though most of the early Chinese settlers eventually left, the descendants of those who remained welcomed new Chinese and other Asian immigrants to the state, particularly in the late twentieth century.
Chin Lin Sou
To his memory is due much respect, for he was a true pioneer.
—Chin Lin Sou obituary, Rocky Mountain News, August 13, 1894
this page online
Few Coloradans bridged the gap between Chinese and American culture as successfully as Chin Lin Sou. A native of southeastern China, he came to Colorado via California, arriving here in 1870 to supervise construction crews for the Denver Pacific Railroad. After migrating to Central City to manage Chinese mine laborers, Chin began operating mines of his own (on claims leased from white owners), and he soon acquired interests in other mountain towns and in Denver. His success created many opportunities for the Chinese community, but Chin also reached across racial boundaries to forge friendships and ties with white businessmen. Although a federal law stripped him (and all Chinese) of U.S. citizenship in 1882, Chin remained an esteemed Colorado resident until his death in 1894. Marchers carried both the Chinese and U.S. flags in his funeral procession.
Photo captions:
Chinese placer miners in the late 1800s. Although many of the Chinese in America came from farming or urban backgrounds, they became superior miners by working long hours, running tightly organized operations, improving existing tools, and working patiently to recover
Photographed by Leslie Eudy, September 24, 2026
2. Chinese in Colorado Marker Wide View
Marker on the Right
Although many of the Chinese were able to create a relatively stable and peaceful existence in the mining camps and in Denver, prejudice was always present and ready to oil over into acts of racial violence. Bad feelings culminated in a riot in Denver’s Chinatown on Halloween, 1880.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Immigration • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 39° 44.163′ N, 105° 22.747′ W. Marker is near Golden, Colorado, in Jefferson County. It is in Golden Gate Canyon. It is on Clear Creek Canyon Road, on the left when traveling west. On U.S. Highway 6 between Black Hawk and Golden. A few miles south of where CO 119 branches off to Black Hawk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: US-6, Golden CO 80403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Front Range. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World,
circa 1880s
3. Chinese in Colorado Marker Left hand Photo Detail
Chin Lin Sou, date unknown though probably here in the 1880s, an early Colorado settler and entrepreneur.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clear Creek Country (here, next to this marker); Pay Dirt (here, next to this marker); Black Hawk History - Public School (approx. 7 miles away); Black Hawk History - Railroad Trestles (approx. 7.1 miles away); Windy Saddle Park / Connecting to the Past (approx. 7.1 miles away); Colorado Central Railroad (approx. 7.2 miles away); Black Hawk History - Fire Department (approx. 7.2 miles away); Black Hawk History - Transportation (approx. 7.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Golden.
Other markers no longer nearby. Recreation: Past to Present (was approx. 7.1 miles away but has been permanently removed); Water Carves Canyons (was approx. 7.1 miles away but has been permanently removed); Play in the Wind (was approx. 7.1 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2026, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 10, 2026, by Leslie Eudy of Golden, Colorado. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
