About Tesoro Cultural Center
Most Tesoro Events and Education Programs are held at The Fort, 19192 Highway 8, Morrison, Colorado – in Southwest Denver “Red Rocks Country”
Our Mission
The Tesoro Cultural Center (Tesoro means “Treasure” in Spanish) is committed to protecting and making available to the community the artistic treasures of our American past. All Tesoro events are inspired by Colorado’s rich history and shared experiences with Southwest, Spanish, Mexican, Native American, African American and Early European cultures. From art to cuisine to historical re-enactments and music, the Tesoro Foundation’s mission is to create community based events and educational outreach programs designed to enrich and celebrate our cultural heritage.
October 7, 2024
Dear Supporters of the Tesoro Cultural Center,
I will be retiring as Executive Director for Tesoro the end of 2024. As a result, the Tesoro Board of Directors decided to suspend all Tesoro programming in 2025 until they figure out next steps.
As a result, all Tesoro programming for 2024 will continue as planned, with the exception of the Holiday Auction and Las Posadas in December. All lectures at all venues in 2024 will continue, as well as JoDene Sherwood will be offering her American Indian Storytelling hour from 4pm-5pm on Sunday, October 27, November 10, November 24, and December 8th at The Fort.
I want to confirm that I am NOT retiring from The Fort restaurant, my other business, who remains committed to Western History and educating the public about Bent’s Fort and our borderlands.
My deepest gratitude and thanks for all your support, especially SCFD, our many sponsors and donors, artists, dancers, singers, and volunteers. Without you, we wouldn’t have been able to serve thousands of children and adults each year, celebrating our multicultural Western heritage. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Holly Arnold Kinney
Executive Director
Tesoro Cultural Center
Land Acknowledgement Statement: American Indian Nations who call Colorado home
Since its founding in 1999, the Tesoro Cultural Center’s Mission Statement has recognized and celebrated Native American Indian Cultures. Tesoro’s signature annual June event, created in 2000, is the Indian Market & Powwow, celebrating today’s American Indian nations and featuring award winning artists and intertribal Powwow competitors. American Indian patriots who fought bravely in American wars, and many of Colorado Indian nations are honored at this event. The public event reaches thousands of visitors.
Tesoro acknowledges the four bands of Ute Nations, the Kiowa, the Southern and Northern Cheyenne, the Southern and Northern Arapaho, the Pawnee, the Lakota and many other Indian Nations that call this beautiful land home. In Colorado’s history, many injustices impacted our American Indian Nations that called this land home, including the removal of most tribes following the Sand Creek massacre on November 29, 1864.
Consistent with Tesoro’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, understanding the historical and current experiences of Native peoples will help inform the work we do; collectively engaging in building relationships through academic scholarship, and collaborative partnerships, acknowledging our past, our present and future Native Nations. We gratefully acknowledge the Native Peoples on whose ancestral homelands we gather, as well as the diverse and vibrant Native communities who make their home here today.
Non-Profit Designation
Organized under the Colorado Non-Profit Corporation Act, Tesoro Cultural Center has received tax -exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code. Tesoro received its first Letter of Determination in August 2001. In May 2010, Tesoro met the 60-month support test and was then designated by the IRS as a full public 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tesoro Cultural Center is a membership based, cultural institution with government, corporate and individual donors. Proceeds from all events directly benefit Tesoro’s programming. Click here to see the IRS Letter of Determination.
Strategic Plan and Board of Directors
Tesoro Board of Directors and Advisory Board created a Strategic Plan, to strengthen the organization. Today, we have expanded our Board of Directors to include nine members and 12 Advisory members. Three board meetings occur annually.