[3] Pitaval accepted an invitation from Bishop Joseph Projectus Machebeuf to join the Diocese of Denver, arriving in the United States in June 1881.

[3] He completed his theological studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was ordained a deacon by Archbishop James Gibbons.

[4] He received his episcopal consecration on the following July 25 from Archbishop Peter Bourgade, with Bishops Nicholas Chrysostom Matz and Henry Regis Granjon serving as co-consecrators.

[6] At the beginning of Pitaval's tenure in 1909, the archdiocese contained 127,000 Catholics, 65 priests, 45 parishes, 340 missions, 12 parochial schools, and three hospitals.

[5] Pitaval resigned as Archbishop of Santa Fe on July 29, 1918, citing his poor health and desire for a new generation of leadership.