The History Of Alcohol In Colorado Let's be honest, NoCo loves beer. Here in Fort Collins, we produce some of the most recognizable craft beers in the country. The other day I was sipping on a Voodoo Ranger and it got me thinking...how did we get to this point? What is the history of alcohol in Colorado? Well, if you were wondering the same thing, I did the research so you don’t have to. Let's start with my favorite century of American History, the 1800’s. According to the Colorado Encyclopedia, drinking became popular in Colorado during the Gold Rush of 58-59. As mining camps were established around the state, salons would soon follow. Places of both governance and sin, grizzly miners and wayfaring cowboys would soon pervade the new establishments. What I wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall during those times! The new drinking culture that came to Colorado brought with it various “scandalous” activities such as gambling and boxing. It was so bad that some colonies such as the Union Colony and Chicago-Colorado Colony, now Greeley and Longmont, would be established as dry towns.