Colorado Experience: Black Cowboys

DENVER — Despite the epic tv or film tales of the Wild West, there is so much more to the truth of the American cowboy story than shown on screen. This includes the prominence of Black men and women who helped build the cowboy culture. 

“America wouldn't be America if it wasn't for the people who helped build it. These stories are important. People just don't know, and we have a right to know the truth,” said Eleise Clark, board member of Black American West Museum & Heritage Center.

The origin of the word "cowboy" can be traced back to go back to the way white ranch owners distinguished between white and Black ranch hands. They used the word “boy” in a derogatory way towards Black men, while calling the white workers, "cow hands."  

“I thought all cowboys were white until a little recently, when I did some digging and found the true history,” said Acoma Gaither, the assistant curator of Black history at History Colorado. 

In Colorado, the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo has featured Black cowboys and cowgirls since its inception in 1984. 

“One thing I liked about the Black rodeo is that as I was growing up, I was like, ‘Oh, okay, so there are other Black people that are able to do this,’” said Kennedi Smith, a young cowgirl, veterinarian student. 

Learn much more about the history of Black cowboys and the renaissance of the culture in Colorado Experience: Black Cowboys.Watch it below or on the new RMPBS+ app.

Thank you to the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo for providing archival footage for this episode.