The Dominguez-Escalante Expedition Education Project (DEEEP), started in 2020, has reached new heights on its website. As of August of 2026, the website had seen 22,493 visitors, with traffic from 49 different states and 106 cities in Colorado. Other international regions have logged on from more than 1,056 places worldwide.
Executive Director Carol Hunter had aimed for the project to be based on inclusion, an educational practice that means “all children in the same classrooms, in the same schools,” as defined by Unicef. “It means real learning opportunities for groups who have traditionally been excluded — not only children with disabilities, but speakers of minority languages too.”
Students of all abilities, whether in public, private or home schools, have the ability to trace the Domingues-Escalante route and learn about the expedition. At the same time, DEEEP developed tactile learning tools and lesson plans for teachers.
Most recently, DEEEP established the auto tour, for which travelers can follow the route the explorers took in the West End, stopping at various points of interest. Auto tour brochures were completed just a few weeks ago, designed by Paula Brown and printed by Split Rock Printworks, a Nucla-based business. Hunter said DEEEP accomplished all it set out to, but none of it would be possible without the local talent, including Britt Hoff, of HnH Sign, for graphics and tactile models; Brock Benson and Troy Masters, who helped with audio and Spanish languaging; and Tasha Bertamus for the drone footage used and support for ASL, American Sign Language. Gabby McDonald, of Telluride, did the web design.
“We did everything we said we were going to do,” Hunter said, “and there would not be a DEEEP without local people.”
That includes folks from Nucla’s co-op who made donation of materials for the gate, hosting the banner at Stop 1 of the tour, and people like Zene Weimer, who gave access on his ranch, one of the most important stops.
Hunter is additionally pleased that half of the DEEEP board reside in the West End: Debbie Wytulka, of West End Public Schools District, board president, along with Deana Sheriff, vice president. Makayla Gordon is treasurer, and Glade Hadden is also on the board.
Other board members are Nick Saenz, of Adams State University, Brian Cannon, chair of history at Brigham Young University, and Katie Christianson, whose father authored the crucial text DEEEP used for facts.
DEEEP, headquartered at the Rimrocker Historical Society in downtown Nucla, is complete with laptop and software. The Nucla school, too, is using DEEEP with their own curriculum, building on the educational materials.
Representatives from the state’s Department of Education have shared DEEEP with school districts across Colorado, as a resource and learning tool.
West End Schools Superintendent Clint Wytulka told the Forum he’s proud of be part of DEEEP, and he’s happy about its relevance to the West End.
“We have so much rich, deep history in this area, and this project testifies to that,” he said. “I am also particularly grateful that DEEEP and Carol have included the school district and our students. I think it is important for kids to be aware and learn about local history. This project is particularly unique because it was developed to include all students regardless of ability. I would also like to bring to light that the amount of community support and buy-in to make this happen reflect what a great community we live in.”
DEEEP has been recently dedicated to the historians who’ve preserved the heritage of the West End, including the late Marie Templeton, along with Sharon Johannsen and Jane Thompson, the women who keep the museum going these days through volunteerism.
DEEEP was funded through various grants from the Telluride Foundation, the West End Pay It Forward Trust, Buel foundation and others.
The project can be accessed at www.deeepcolorado.com.
