Denver has long been a gathering place for people of all cultures. First were the high plains American Indians who followed the buffalo herds and lived throughout the Front Range. When prospectors discovered gold in 1858, thousands of men and women crossed the Great Plains and settled in and around Denver. By the 1980s, Denver was dubbed the gay oasis of the west. Today, Denver is a city of many colors and cultures, a rich tapestry of diverse and fascinating people.