The Dominguez-Escalante Expedition Education Project (DEEEP) has been underway for the last four years for the purpose of creating an educational website, telling the story of each day the old expedition was in Colorado. DEEEP’s website is about to make its debut this fall, even sooner than expected. Carol Hunter, founder of the DEEEP project, told the San Miguel Basin Forum that several organizations were interested in DEEEP’s research, but the project will now be given to the Rimrocker Historical Society, and the permanent display will offer a place for kids and adults to come and learn. Hunter said it’s about the history that took place along the Western Slope of Colorado.
Local partners include the Nucla-Naturita Area Chamber of Commerce; the West End Economic Development Corporation (WEEDC), which will manage the finances; and Split Rock Printworks, of Nucla, that will be handling the merchandising.
The website is designed to be used by persons of all ages and abilities. It’s inclusive of students receiving special education services and those who are home-schooled too. DEEEP’s website and the research is to be a gift to the school children of Colorado, Hunter said.
The website, which has already been previewed by the Forum, is state-of-the-art. The story map, which will be the home page, is being created by Anna Riling, owner and cartographer of Four Corners Mapping & GIS, of Durango. It will show the expedition route of 1776 and indicate the location of each campsite in Colorado. Then, Gabby McDonald, owner and operator of Chair 8 Design, of Telluride, will provide additional information on each of the campsites and that day of the expedition’s activities.
Hunter plans to serve on the Rimrocker Historical Society’s board for six months, in order help with the upcoming DEEEP exhibit and brochures. In the future, a computer will be on site at the Rimrocker museum with the DEEEP website, so students and others can access it.
A future exhibit will include a map showing the expedition route in the Naturita-Nucla area. Hunter said the West End was the center point, or the heart, of the Dominguez-Escalante Colorado tour — right between Rangely and Caracas, Colorado.
She added all of DEEEP’s members and contributors are grateful to the people of the West End; many have helped in the journey of establishing DEEEP. Locals have often given Hunter on-the-ground adventures, adding details to the research, and they’ve given her friendship too. She said there are too many to name that have helped in so many ways, but they will be listed on the website section called “Who is DEEEP?”
“There would not be a DEEEP without the involvement and support of the local people of the West End, and we are greatly appreciative,” Hunter said.
Things should be in place at the Rimrocker Historical Society’s museum by January of 2025, and those who wish to experience DEEEP are welcome. For teachers who want to incorporate the project into their curriculums, all of DEEEP’s material is free, but donations through WEEDC are requested. Those donations will be used to cover the cost of website fees, education materials and exhibits.
Additionally, the project is going to be a part of the America 250-Colorado 150 celebration in 2026, and news of DEEEP’s website will be spread by their network.
After Oct. 15, Hunter will be on tour, visiting libraries, schools and communities on the Western Slope to share how to use DEEEP’s tools.
The public can reach Hunter at DEEEPColorado@gmail.com to learn more.
