In 1803 when the US bought Louisiana from the french, which had small parts of what is known today Colorado, the spanish government encouraged trade with the Native Americans in hope to secure friendship with tribes that were now open to the US influence. Most of Colorado was still in spanish hands until 1821 when Mexico declared their independence from Spain, and the lands became mexican domain. Mexico’s independence from Spain made it possible for the US to trade their merchandise in the Santa Fe market because when Spain had control they would capture the Anglo-Americans and keep them as prisoners for fear of competition. By the late 1830’s Bents, St. Vrain & Company had shifted the fur trade business from Taos to Bent’s Fort, proving that