The Colorado flag is one of the most recognizable, iconic state flags. With several states changing their state flag, Colorado was a century ahead of the trend of designing a flag with meaningful symbolism and simplicity. The flag meets the Good Flag design principles according to NAVA. As a Colorado native and a person who has been in the flag industry for over 25 years, I found the history of the Colorado flag interesting, I hope you do too.
Daughters of the American Revolution 1910
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) met in November 1910, just north of the Denver Country Club, at 317 Lafayette Street to create a Colorado flag. “State loyalty is too precious ever to be lost”. The women got to work immediately ensuring Colorado had a state flag. Unbeknown to the DAR’s, Colorado had an official state flag since 1907. The official flag was the standard blue blanket (background) with the state seal. Which currently resembles many state flags including Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Virginia. Up until this year, Minnesota and Utah had the blue blanket with a state seal as well. Luckily, the official state flag was never flown or recognized. It was found in the late 1980s in a custodian’s closet.
Draft One of New Colorado Flag
In December 1910, they settled on a flag that does not come close to resembling the current Colorado flag. This draft had two red stripes, one on the top, and one on the bottom. A white stripe in the middle and no C, but the state seal. The flag bill went through the legislative process but luckily no one liked the flag design. But, it felt like the start of the direction that the current Colorado flag is today.
Flag Draft Number Two
Andrew Carlisle Carson or Andrew Carlile Johnson as referred to on the internet. Submitted a flag design with two horizontal stripes of Yale Blue, with one white stripe in the middle and a large “C” with a gold center at the end near the pole. Senate Bill No. 118 designated this new flag design was passed by the Colorado State Senate approved the new official flag with no opposition on April 25, 1911. The House of Representatives passed the flag design on May 6, 1911.
A key piece of the new flag bill noted the new flag belongs to the people of Colorado, not just their official representatives.
Final Legislations
Eighteen years after the new flag was introduced a new bill was passed designating the exact shades of red and blue and the “C” was to be centered. A final flag bill was passed in 1964 specifying the size of the “C” and where it was to be placed. This is the Colorado flag we know today.
We have many sizes and materials of Colorado Flags in stock. Have yours flying for Colorado Day on August 1st.
