Archuleta was born in 1855 in
Taos, New Mexico Territory, to José Manuel Archuleta; he moved to
Colorado Territory shortly after his birth. He was descended from "one of the old Spanish families of New Mexico". In 1876, he was elected as a
Republican to the
Colorado House of Representatives from
Conejos County and to the Colorado Senate in 1883, serving until 1887. Archuleta introduced legislation in 1885 for the formation of Archuleta County; he moved there in 1887 following the completion of his term and became a rancher. Archuleta County was named in honor his father, Hon. José Manuel de Jesus Archuleta and family. Archuleta was described as a "friend and supporter of the
McKinley administration." He was a member of the
Woodmen of the World fraternal organization. Archuleta married Lauriana (or Lauranna) Gallegos in 1877; she died in 1920. They had one son, Daniel Ross Archuleta. Archuleta was killed in 1918 near Pilares de Nacozari,
Nacozari de García Municipality,
Sonora,
Mexico. ==References==