Hispanics and Latinos in Utah

The state of Utah has an increasingly diverse population, home to hundreds of thousands of Hispanic/Latino people who share ancestry from Latin American countries.

In 1776 the government of New Spain authorized friars Silvestre Velez de Escalante and Francisco Atanacio Dominguez to explore territory controlled by the Utes, now modern day Colorado, Utah, and northern New Mexico.

Five Mexican Indians (or mestizos, men of mixed race of Spanish and indigenous descent) accompanied them “as guides, interpreters, and keepers of horses and mules.

This continued uninterrupted until 1847 and the arrival of the Mormons, followed by the United States annexation of the territory of Utah with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.

[2] Since its foundation in 1894, Carbon County attracted a diverse group of immigrants as sheepherders, railroad laborers, and coal miners.

[3] Hispanic presence at the end of the nineteenth century played an instrumental role in the development of cattle, sheep, and mining industries and in the irrigation systems of Utah.

[6] Many immigrants settled in Weber County in Northern Utah during this time due to the abundance of railroad and mining jobs.

[9] A government focus on tourism in the towns of Park City, Wendover, and others in Utah caused a surge of new jobs that attracted a Hispanic population that would come to call these regions home.

[9] The Utah Compact is a document authored by various groups in early 2011, including businesses, religious organizations, and political leaders.

This community has created a space and web of Hispanic business people to allow for greater opportunities for job seekers and prospective employees of Latin Heritage in the state of Utah.

The festival boasts a variety of local Mexican food vendors as well as activities such as bingo and inflatable bounce- houses for children to play in.

Silvia Stubbs - San Juan County Commissioner, District 2 since 2023 David Archuleta- Singer/Songwriter, appearing on American Talent Contest, American Idol Julian Vazquez- Professional Soccer player for Real Salt Lake Long Guitierrez Feng- Swimmer 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics Emil Cuello- Professional Soccer Player for the LA Galaxy Jared Fernandez- Former MLB Pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, and Milwaukee Brewers