The Tesoro Foundation (Tesoro means "Treasure" in Spanish) is committed to protecting and making available to the community the artistic treasures of our American past. All Tesoro events are inspired by Colorado’s rich history and shared experiences with Southwest, Spanish, Mexican, Native American, African American and Early European cultures. From art and cuisine to historical re-enactments and music, the Tesoro Foundation’s mission is to create community based events and educational outreach programs designed to enrich and celebrate our cultural heritage.

The Tesoro Foundation was created in December 1999 and is a Colorado non-profit corporation organized under the Colorado Non-Profit Corporation Act and has received tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) Internal Revenue Code.

The Tesoro Foundation has applied to terminate its private foundation status under section 501 (b) (1) (B) of the Internal Revenue Code during a 60 month period beginning January 1, 2005.

The Tesoro Foundation intends to operate as a public charity as described in Sections 509 (a) (1) and 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi) of the Internal Revenue Code for an advance ruling period of 60 months beginning January 1, 2005. To see the IRS letter of determination, click here.

Proceeds from all Tesoro Foundation sponsored events will benefit the foundation.

 

In 1962, Sam Arnold built to scale an adobe replica of Bent’s Old Fort (1833-1849) in the foothills southwest of Denver, Colorado. Originally this fort was to be his private home. As construction costs mounted, he decided to turn the fort replica into a dining establishment serving foods of the Bent’s Fort period.

In 1963, to educate the public about the fur trade period and its importance in Colorado history, Arnold created a museum in The Fort with educational displays and dioramas designed by exhibitors from the Denver Museum of Natural History.

The Tesoro Foundation’s vision is to use Old Bent’s Fort as a model to organize historic and cultural events and re-enactments of the early 19th century. Bent’s Old Fort was an international trading center for the French, British, American, African American, Mexican and Spanish settlers, as well as native tribes including the Arapahoe, Ute, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Lakota Sioux and Pawnee. Tesoro events celebrate this international mix of rich culture from our past.

The Tesoro Trade Lodge, housed in a replica of a 19th century military tent located in the courtyard of The Fort, offers educational books, authentic Native American jewelry and Hispanic art, fur trade replicas, and much more! Be sure to visit the Tesoro Trade Lodge, open most evenings and daytime by appointment only.

 

 

Jeremy F. Kinney
Chairman of the Board
Kinney Oil Company

Holly Arnold Kinney
Executive Director
Proprietress
The Fort Restaurant

Charlotte F. Baron
Secretary
Vice President, Fulcrum Publishing

 

Debbie Emhoolah Sankey
Treasurer
Human Resources, Public Relations,
Native American Bank

Pat Cortez
Director
Sr. Vice President Public Relations
Wells Fargo Banks

Dr. Jay Gitlin
Director
Associate Director, Howard R. Lamar Center, Yale University

 

 

Andy Abeita
CIAC

J.D. Colbert
President, Native American Bank

John Emhoolah
Adams 12 Five-Star Schools

Karen E. Leaffer
Faegre & Benson LLP

 

Luella Chavez D'Angelo
First Data Western Union Foundation

Dr. Tom Noel
University of Colorado

Renee Palmer Jones

Pam Phillips
CIAC

Dr. Lorenzo Trujillo
Adams County Schools

Dr. Samuel P. Arnold
June 28, 1926 - June 7, 2006

Dr. Mary Fox Arnold
June 25, 1925 - October 30, 2005
Tesoro Foundation bylaws, articles of incorporation, tax returns, non-profit 501(c)(3) documentation, and Board meeting minutes are available for public inspection during regular business hours by visiting the Tesoro Foundation office at 19192 Hwy 8, Morrison, CO 80465