The American Museum of Western Art Opens Its Doors

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Church at Ranchos de Taos, before 1917. Ernest Blumenschein. Courtesy American Museum of Western Art.

Colorado businessman Philip Anschutz is one of the wealthiest people in the world, worth an estimated $7 billion. He’s also a passionate collector of western American art. His collection, which includes paintings by Albert Bierstadt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Thomas Moran, George Catlin, and many others, has become the American Museum of Western Art. It’s in the historic Navarre Building in downtown Denver, across from the Brown Palace Hotel. For years, it was open by appointment only. But starting today, the museum will open its doors to the public, with regular hours and guided tours, albeit limited at first. Ryan Warner visits the museum with its director, Sarah Hunt, who’s the daughter of Philip Anschutz.