"The federal government is prepared to make the location of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre a national historic site, but the widely supported move fell between the congressional cracks this month. House staffers say U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, who represents Colorado's Eastern Plains, failed to pay adequate attention to her own bill.

More than 140 years ago, about 700 Colorado militia troops slaughtered at least 163 Indians (mostly women, children and old men) near the present-day town of Eads. For four years, U.S. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell worked to get the government to buy the land where the massacre occurred and designate it a national historic site. The move would help heal emotional wounds among the Indians and give an economic boost to the struggling towns nearby. Finishing the Sand Creek project should have been a Musgrave priority."

Get the Story:
Editorial: House silent on Sand Creek (The Denver Post 12/15)

Relevant Links:
The National Park Service, Sand Creek Massacre Project Study - www.nps.gov/planning/sand/about.htm
Sand Creek Massacre Site - www.kiowacountycolo.com/sand.htm

Related Stories:
Sand Creek plaque now refers to massacre (12/2)
Vote on Sand Creek land deal postponed (11/27)
Sand Creek land deal up for tribal vote (11/26)
Finally, a Sand Creek land sale? (09/03)
Final Sand Creek land sale delayed (8/7)
Sand Creek site deeded to tribes (4/29)
Sand Creek site to go to tribes (4/26)
Film to document Sand Creek Massacre (4/11)
Exact Sand Creek site in dispute (3/21)
Sand Creek site in jeopardy (3/8)
Sacred sites, repatriation focus of conference (2/5)
Massacre bill passes Congress (10/24)
Sand Creek bill approved by Committee (09/21)
Massacre focus of law, letters (9/15)
Runners commemorate Sand Creek (08/03)
Campbell wants massacre memorial (7/28)