The Domínguez-Escalante Expedition Education Project, DEEEP, began as a question...
when there seemed to be few answers about the Expedition in Colorado in 1776.
The Expedition
Was conducted in order to find a way to link Santa Fe, New Mexico, with the missions of California.
The Journey
Spanned 159 days across 1,700 miles, which included New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and back to New Mexico. Father Domínguez led the Expedition and Father Escalante kept the Journal.
On August 5, 1776
They entered Colorado from New Mexico and traveled through what is now called the western slope of Colorado, entering Utah on September 12, 1776.
In the End
What is DEEEP?
A group of over 85 volunteers who are ranchers, archeologists, historians, biologists, interested locals, educators, geologists, engineers, librarians, business owners, local historical groups, museums, universities, and state and federal agencies have come together to learn about and then tell the story of each day of the Domínguez-Escalante Expedition of 1776 in Colorado.
Members of DEEEP come from all four states that the Expedition traveled though.
DEEEP Colorado’s purpose is to provide this website for educators and researchers ahead of the 250th anniversary of the 1776 Domínguez-Escalante Expedition. The website is intended for three audiences:
• As a tool for teachers & librarians
• The general public interested in learning more about the Expedition traveled in Colorado
• Researchers looking to take a “DEEEP”er dive into the Expedition and its history
The Domínguez-Escalante Expedition (DE) and that of the Lewis and Clark (LC).
Domínguez and Escalante’s purpose was religious: The church wanting a route from Santa Fe to missions in California.
Lewis & Clark’s purpose was military: President Thomas Jefferson wanted a route across the Louisiana Purchase to the Pacific Ocean.
How This All Came to Pass
DEEEP’s research now has a permanent home at the Rimrocker Historical Society Museum in Nucla, Colorado. Stop by to say hi if you’re in the neighborhood. The museum will also house DEEEP’s Phase II, now called DEEEP Designs.
