ANTONITO — Viewers tuning into CBS News this week might have been surprised to see a familiar sight on their screen – the distinctive, unmistakable, white two-story adobe building bearing the bold, red letters S.P.M.D.T.U. that sits on Main Street in Antonito.  

The image is included in new reporting by journalist Michael Abeyta with CBS News Colorado. Abeyta was recently in the San Luis Valley reporting on the Sociedad Protección Mutual de Trabajadores Unidos (S.P.M.D.T.U.) in Antonito.  

While previous reporting has focused on the physical restoration and renovation of the historic social and cultural site, Abeyta gives viewers a glimpse of its origin and continued importance today. 

Titled “Colorado's San Luis Valley is home to what's considered the oldest Latino civil rights group in the country.” Abeyta highlights the Hispano culture of the region, “…a Spanish-based culture that thrives to this day…but is often forgotten about.” 

“One organization wants to make sure this piece of Colorado history is remembered,” Abeyta says, referring to S.P.M.D.T.U. 

Esteban Salazar of Alamosa provides an abbreviated telling of the history of the area, culminating with people of the Valley, unfamiliar with the imposed system of governance, losing land and water rights because the United States government didn’t honor documents written in Spanish.  

“The people in the Valley fought back the way they always do, by joining together,” Abeyta reports.  

These factors led to the creation of S.P.M.D.T.U. 

Although, as Abeyta reports, participation in the organization waned after World War II, there is now a resurgence of interest in the organization whose history goes back 124 years.  

Retired District Judge Martin Gonzales, who was featured in the segment, spoke in support of revived interest and the benefits it provides.  

“Hispanic history runs deep in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico,” he told the Valley Courier. “Sometimes where one needs to go is best understood when you know your past. I hope people take time to reflect on our rich history and be proud.”  

Those interested in watching the segment can do so by going to www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/sociedad-proteccion-mututal-trabajadores-unidos-san-luis-valley-colorado-home-hispano-culture-stories/,