The Ute Indians, called the "Blue Sky People" by other tribes, left only scant evidence of their presence near Ashcroft.
The Parianuc band of the Utes established summer hunting camps in the upper Castle Creek valley, returning to the area along the Colorado River west of Glenwood Springs for the winter. The Utes believe water that flows from the earth is sacred and frequently made camp near springs, such as the neighboring Conundrum Hot Springs. In 1873, Chief Ouray signed a treaty to cede the Elk Mountain territory to the U.S. government in order to maintain peace. Prospectors staked out the town-site of Ashcroft just seven years later.
