Gov. Apologizes at Sand Creek Massacre 150th Commemoration Ceremony

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A commemoration of the Sand Creek Massacre took place today at the Capitol. KRCC’s Tucker Hampson reports. 

150 years ago on the eastern plains of Colorado, the US Army, led by Col. John Chivington, killed by some estimates 200 Cheyenne and Arapahoe, mostly women and children. Today at the Capitol was the final day of a healing ceremony, where Governor John Hickenlooper publicly apologized for the massacre.

“We should not be afraid to criticize and condemn that which is inexcusable. So I’m here to offer something that has been too long in coming.. on behalf of the state of Colorado, I want to apologize.”

The commemoration began with a 180 mile run from the massacre site in Eads to the Capitol. There was also a graveside service in honor of two US soldiers, Capt. Silas Soule and Lt. Joseph Cramer, who refused to participate in the killing.