Colorado's history began in 1803 with the Louisiana Purchase which included the land that is now Colorado. In 1806 Zebulon Pike discovered Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. Fur trading and trapping began in the early 1800s and helped establish important locations like Bents Fort trading post. The boundaries of Colorado were established in 1850 and gold was discovered in 1859, attracting settlers and leading to the founding of Denver.