Press Releases

DENVER—Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) released the following statement ahead of the unveiling of the new Leadville Irish Miners’ Memorial: 

“Thousands of Irish immigrants flocked to Leadville in the 1800s seeking a better life and a job in the mines. There they faced challenges that are unfortunately all too common for immigrant families in America. They were overworked, underpaid, and often mistreated. Many died young and were buried in unmarked graves. The establishment of the Leadville Irish Miners' Memorial represents a significant step towards acknowledging the enduring spirit of these proud, working-class Coloradans from the past and their invaluable contributions to our shared history and community. 

“This recognition of Leadville's Irish community is long overdue, but will hopefully serve as a reminder for generations to come of their resilience and fortitude. I would like to thank the Lake County community, the Republic of Ireland, and all who donated and contributed to this project to make this possible.”