Patricia Calhoun
Audio By Carbonatix
“Journalism is the first rough draft of history.” That line is credited to Philip L. Graham, Washington Post publisher and president long before the days of Jeff Bezos, but its origin is open to interpretation — like most historic treatises and journalistic works. Just last month, I received a missive about my look back at 2025 that included this: “Calhoun is the problem! Spreading lies to uninformed progressives!”
Over the decades, Westword has compiled its own very rough draft of the history of Denver, collected in a wall of bound volumes as well as online archives. But our collection pales compared to all the material just a block away at the History Colorado Center, a favorite haunt for a lunchtime break, where you can peruse exhibits both controversial and collaborative, shop the excellent gift shop, or simply soak up this corner of Colorado, site of so many legendary chapters in our state’s history.
We’re just past 2025, a year in which our coverage of so many moments mattered — from Donald Trump’s inauguration to the voters’ revolt in Aurora to Trump pulling the plug on NCAR. And in 2026, there will be many more moments we’ll want to share with you, as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary and the Centennial State marks its 150th.
So as a final benefit in our “Moments That Mattered” end-of-the-year membership campaign, we’re hosting a look ahead at 2026 — the year Colorado turns 150 — during a special Westword members’ reception at 5 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, at the Westword office.
Jason Hanson, the chief creative officer of History Colorado and a member of the state’s 250 commission, will be on hand to discuss Moments That Made US, a signature initiative of the America 250-Colorado 150 commemoration. The exhibit brings together 50 extraordinary artifacts spanning 800 years of American history – revealing the struggles, triumphs and resilience that have shaped the nation and our state.
You won’t want to miss a moment! The event is open to all members (even if you just become one today). And as a bonus, we’ll be giving out passes to the History Colorado Center so that you can see Moments That Made US for yourself. (RSVP quickly, and grab your pass in time to see the show before the January 13 gathering…the History Colorado Center is just a block away from Westword‘s office in the historic Dodge Building.)
I’ll be leading the discussion with Jason, taking questions and, inspired by History Colorado’s display, showing off a few artifacts — including that wall of blue books — that capture moments in Westword‘s history as we race to our own 50th anniversary in 2027.
Hope to see you there: It should be historic!
