Extend our nation's oldest defense force to lift service strain

On this day in 1860, on the heels of the Gold Rush in the American West, pioneers found themselves under attack. A lawless band of shady characters, known as the "Bummers," terrorized Auraria, west of present-day Denver, during what became known as the "Turkey War." The community organized two companies of citizen soldiers — the "Jefferson Rangers" and the "Denver Guards" — who came to the rescue.

After ejecting the Bummers from the community, under threat of hanging, the companies disbanded, but not for long. In 1861, Colorado became a territory, and its first governor organized a militia in Denver called the "Colorado Volunteers" which later became the Colorado National Guard.

Colorado sorely needed a defensive force. During the Civil War, in 1862, Confederate forces made a run for its mining resources. They met their defeat at the hands of the 1st Colorado Volunteers at the Battle of Glorieta Pass in New Mexico Territory. Two years later, flash flooding along Cherry Creek in Auraria killed 20 people and caused millions in property damage. The Colorado Volunteers used boats to pluck victims from the water, saving many lives.

Of course, the idea behind Colorado's decision to organize a local militia wasn't new. In 1636, 140 years before the birth of our nation, the Massachusetts Bay Colony established three regiments of militia.

Our National Guard celebrated its 380th birthday Dec. 13, making it America's oldest military force.