Barney Ford was a determined Black businessman who had a successful career in Colorado. He came to the American West after residing in Chicago and escaping enslavement. He came to Denver in search of gold, but other ventures crossed his path. Ford was very responsible and organized. He ran many hotels and restaurants throughout Colorado and Wyoming. Many of his businesses were destroyed by fires, but Ford remained optimistic and rebuilt his businesses. He was always focused on being successful, so these fires never brought him down. Ford was an important member of the Colorado community. He was a dependable business owner and provided great customer service. He was known as the King of Hospitality in Denver at the time. He was also a very active member of the civil rights movement in Colorado. He advocated for his community and was consistently supporting local Black establishments.