Colorado State Flags

On February 28, 1861, when Colorado Territory was created, the present boundaries were established and have remained unchanged to the present time. On August 1, 1876, Colorado became the 38th State to enter the Union under the flag of the United States. Like many other states, it wasn’t long before Colorado’s mineral-rich land began attracting miners and settlers. The discovery of gold drew prospectors to towns like Denver City, Auraria, and Montana City - strategically placed camps that provided access to the best mining locations. Colorado became the 38th state 100 years after the United States’ birth, earning an apt nickname in the process: the Centennial State.

Colorado has flown many flags - three countries and eight territories have laid claim to (and flown their flags over) what is now the state of Colorado. The current Colorado state flag is easily recognizable. Over time, the Colorado flag became one of our nation’s most well-loved state flags. Its simple, recognizable design and distinct appearance have won it a place in many hearts. Read below to understand more about the Colorado flag and why it’s one of our nation’s favorites.

Who Designed the Colorado State Flag?

The flag was designed by Andrew Carlisle Carson in 1911. Carson wanted a flag that consisted of: "...two horizontal stripes of Yale Blue, with one white stripe (all of equal width) between, with a large red "C" with a gold center at the end near the pole."

Was there Another Colorado State Flag?

One day in November 1910, the ladies of D.A.R. present at a meeting mistakenly believed that Colorado did not have a state flag and that one should be created as soon as possible because, "State loyalty is too precious ever to be lost." Full of inspiration, the ladies of the D.A.R. set in motion a plan to create a Colorado State flag. What they didn't know, and would soon find out, is that Colorado already had an official flag and had had one since 1907.

That particular flag was a pretty uninspiring affair that featured the State Seal over a blue background. The only copy of that flag was sitting in a custodian's closet at the State Capitol and hadn't seen the light of day since its introduction three years earlier.

When was the Colorado State Flag Adopted?

Adopted by the Colorado General Assembly on June 5, 1911, the flag specifications seemed clear enough when adopted but modification to the legislation was required in 1929 and in 1964. However, the legislature did not specify the size of the "C" or the exact shade of blue or red. Thus, some flags were in slightly different colors and had the "C" wholly within the center stripe. This issue was resolved by the General Assembly on February 28, 1929 when it stipulated that the red and blue colors in the flag were to be the same as the national flag. The present form of the flag has been in use since March 31, 1964.

It's worth noting that the new flag bill contained a few passages that really designate the flag as something the belongs to the people of Colorado and not just their official representatives in the Capitol building: "In the bill legalizing the State Banner occur these words, 'to be used on all occasions when the state is officially and publicly represented.' In the new bill creating the new State Flag these words were repeated with the additional clause inserted, 'with the privilege of use by all citizens upon such occasions as they may deem fitting and appropriate,' and so does Democracy grow."

What is the Design of the Colorado State Flag?

So many state flags in the United States consist of the seal in the middle of a (usually blue) background. Seriously, about half the flags have that characteristic, or something close to it. The flag of the state of Colorado is a bicolor horizontal triband of blue and white charged with a circular red letter "C" filled with a golden disk. That is, it consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width, the top and bottom stripes blue, and the middle stripe white, on top of which sits a circular red "C", filled with a golden disk.

The color of the "C" is red. The diameter of the letter "C" is two thirds the width of the flag, the inner line of the letter being three fourths the width of its body and the outer line double the length of the inner line of the letter. The center of the letter "C" is filled with the color gold. It was also stipulated that the flag should have an attached cord of gold and silver intertwined with gold and silver tassels.

What is the Meaning of the Colorado State Flag?

The colors used in the Colorado State Flag represent environmental features of the state. The gold represents the abundant sunshine enjoyed by the state. The blue symbolizes the clear blue skies of Colorado. White represents the snow capped mountains of the state and red represents the color of much of the state's soil. Completely filling the open space inside the letter “C” is a golden disk. The gold represents the hundreds of days of sunshine enjoyed by the state year-round.

The area’s extensive deposits of gold and silver, which brought many early settlers to the territory and which still are actively mined, are also reflected in the yellow and white of the flag.

Is the Colorado Flag Copyrighted?

Nearly all flags are old enough that they can't enjoy copyright protection, but for newer flags usually the country itself has placed the work in the public domain. In the U.S., for example, all works of the Federal government are automatically public domain.

The Colorado flag is in the “public domain,” meaning it can be used by anyone, anytime, anywhere. So fly your Colorado flag high and wear your flag gear with pride. The Colorado state brand, on the other hand, is a registered trademark that cannot be used without express permission from the state.