Phone: 719-207-0419 (Amy)
Email: ColoradoDARAmy@gmail.com
Website: chipeta.coloradodar.org
The Chipeta Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) was organized January 21, 1978, in Salida, Colorado. The name of the two chapters honors Colorado’s famous Indian woman who was born an Apache but raised as a Ute. Chipeta, a maiden of the Tabeguache Tribe, became the second wife of Ouray, Chief of the Confederated Bands of the Ute Indians. Chipeta’s name means “white singing bird” and she married Chief Ouray at age 16 in 1859. In 1863, Chipeta and her husband helped create the first treaty of Conejos, Colorado. When her husband died on August 24, 1880, Chipeta took over his leadership and became a great advocate for her people. She was the only woman permitted to sit in council. There is a concrete tepee erected in 1924 over a cold natural spring on the site of Chief Ouray and Chipeta’s homestead in Montrose, Colorado.
The focus of Chipeta Chapter NSDAR, is the preservation of American history and patriotism in schools and in our community.
What the Chipeta Chapter NSDAR does:
Patriotism: We work closely with our local veterans and organizations to coordinate the Wreaths Across America event each year, provide historical resources for Gold Star families, and assist active duty military and their families.
Education: We offer scholarships through our DAR Good Citizen award program to outstanding high school seniors.
Historic Preservation: We locate and restore historical markets, preserve genealogical records and artifacts, sponsor special programs promoting historical events, and provide tours and educational materials for local historical sites.
Service: The daughters of the Chipeta Chapter regularly volunteer to assist with cemetery cleanups, veteran grave identification, community education events, and researching lineage Patriots.
The Chipeta Chapter NSDAR also puts on the Cowboy Music & Poetry Gathering which is a fundraiser for Wreaths Across America. All net proceeds from the gathering go towards purchasing wreaths to be placed on our local veteran’s graves in December. The effort covers cemeteries in Salida, Poncha Springs, Buena Vista, Howard, Coaldale, Cotopaxi, Granite, Cleora, Centerville, and Hillside honoring over 1,600 gravesites.
Wreaths Across America (WAA) coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 2,500 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad. From the Revolutionary War to present day conflicts, our veterans are devoted sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers. They come from all backgrounds in life to place their lives on the line for our freedom.
If you are interested in sponsoring this fundraiser, please contact coloradoaramy@gmail.com .
