A car exploded at Chautauqua Park in Boulder 51 years ago today, killing three young activists—Neva Romero, Una Jaakola, and Reyes Martinez. Two days later, as the city and Chicano community were still reeling, another car exploded, killing Heriberto Teran, Francisco Dougherty, and United Mexican American Students leader Freddy Granado. The explosions came at the peak of a months-long protest by the Chicano Movement against discriminatory practices at University of Colorado. Together, these six are remembered as Los Seis de Boulder.
In the following investigation, authorities concluded that the activists had unintentionally caused the explosions while in possession of car bombs, but many within the Chicano Movement believe federal agents were responsible for their deaths. While there is no documented hard evidence to resolve this tension around the tragedies of Los Seis, the historical record shows a clear pattern of targeted surveillance, harassment, and violence against activists in the Chicano Movement throughout the state and the country.
This story, which we detail in a Lost Highways podcast episode from last year, is still very important to Colorado Chicanos. Many in the community knew Los Seis personally. They marched, protested, and organized with them, and since their deaths, have worked hard to preserve their story. And whatever the cause, the shocking timing and manner of their deaths changed El Movimiento forever. However difficult it is to tell this story, however complicated and controversial it might be, we can’t afford to forget these moments in our history.
—Devin Flores, Managing Editor of the Colorado Encyclopedia
