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Boulder County hires Rooted Pathways to document Latinx and Chicano history; team to recruit seven student researchers
Summary
Rooted Pathways Leadership LLC presented a community-based Latinx and Chicano historic-context study to the Boulder County Historic Preservation Advisory Board, announcing seven student research assistants, archival partnerships with Carnegie Library and History Colorado, and outreach at Longmont’s Dia de los Muertos on Oct. 11.
Rooted Pathways Leadership LLC presented a plan to document Latinx and Chicano history across Boulder County, telling the Historic Preservation Advisory Board on Oct. 2 that the project will combine archival research, oral histories and community co‑creation.
The consultants said they hired seven student research assistants and are prioritizing trust-based outreach in unincorporated mountain and rural parts of the county. "Our framework, our approach to this project is to meet the community where they are and to go at the pace of community," said Dr. Becky Chavez, the firm's owner and lead consultant.
The team described multiple archival partners and preservation options. "We're looking at — is the best place gonna be the Carnegie archives? Is it gonna be History Colorado? Is it gonna be local area museums that have really strong archival access?" said Nikki Gonzales, a historian and member of the team. Staff and consultants said they will ask participants where they want their materials housed and that the Carnegie Library has offered space and support for archiving.
Consultants emphasized accessibility: interest and storytelling surveys will be translated into Spanish, and the team plans to solicit oral histories and materials at public events. "We have already committed to attending the Longmont Dia De Los Muertos event on October 11," Gonzales said, describing one of the team's first outreach opportunities.
County Parks and Open Space staff Elizabeth Rios Brooks said the project has already produced community interest after Las Barracas was included on an endangered Latinx landmarks list. "Las Barracas has been on the news a lot," Brooks said, and the announcement has led many residents to offer photographs and personal histories.
The consultants said they will share survey links and training materials with county staff and board members and will conduct oral-history training with the Carnegie archives later that week. Next steps identified at the meeting included circulating survey links, continuing archival outreach and beginning community meetings and oral-history collection.
