Surface Creek Valley was ceded to the United States by Chief Ouray of the Ute Indians on June 15, 1880.
Up until 1880 much of central and western Colorado was inhabited by the Ute Indians. Under the Ute Agreement of June 15, 1880, the Utes, under Chief Ouray, ceded a large portion of their land to the United States, including the Surface Creek Valley. In 1881, the last band of Utes made their exodus from western Colorado to the northeastern part of Utah under escort of troops from Fort Crawford. Settlers soon began arriving, building homesteads, barns, businesses, and ranches.
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