DENVER -- Governor John Hickenlooper says Colorado is already having important conversations about confederate monuments and where they are best served.
"It is important to honor and reconcile our history," said Hickenlooper. "Is it time to determine where the best place to honor our history is -- are museums more suited for sharing complete stories? Are cemeteries an appropriate place? Let's continue the conversation."
Denver7 found Colorado has six confederate monuments across the state and two are on public land.
One of the monuments is outside the Pitkin County Courthouse near Aspen and was dedicated to soldiers who fought on both sides during the war.
A wooden sign in Beulah that explains the city's connection to the civil war is also on public land.
There are also confederate memorials at private cemeteries in Evergreen, Canon City and Pueblo.
Denver's only confederate memorial can be found at Riverside Cemetery off Brighton Boulevard where people guarded it for most of the day on Wednesday.
The memorial is tucked away in the cemetery and sits below a flag pole where the first national confederate flag flies high.
"[We're] Concerned that there might be some vandalism against some of the memorials in Colorado," said Eris Boyd, a member of Colorado's United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Boyd came by the cemetery to check on the memorial.
She said her ancestors, including her great grandfather, served in the confederacy but added she doesn't support their causes.
"What happened in Charlottesville was reprehensible to me," said Boyd.
She said the confederate memorial is about remembering history, not supporting racism or slavery.
"This is part of who we are as Americans, we wouldn't be where we are today if that war hadn't happened and we need to remember it and those who took part," said Boyd.
She also said there's a reason the confederate battle flag isn't flying there.
"That represents racism, that represents slavery," explained Boyd. "That way we can respect our ancestors without people who might not respect them even knowing what this memorial is about."
