Colorado Flag History

Adopted: March 31, 1964; 54 years ago

Colorado Flag Design: Three horizontal stripes of blue, white, and blue. On top of these stripes sits a circular red "C", filled with a golden disk.

Designed by Andrew Carlisle Carson

The Colorado flag was adopted on June 5, 1911, by an act of the General Assembly. The flag was adopted to be used on all occasions when the state is officially and publicly represented, with the privilege of use by all citizens upon such occasions as they deem fitting and appropriate. Laws pertaining to the use of the National flag are also applicable to the use of the Colorado State flag.

The Colorado flag consists of three alternate stripes of equal width and at right angles to the staff, the two outer stripes to be blue of the same color as in the blue field of the national flag and the middle stripe to be white, the proportion of the flag is a width of two-thirds of its length. At a distance from the staff end of the flag of one-fifth of the total length of the flag, there is a circular red C, of the same color as the red in the national flag of the United States. The diameter of the letter is two-thirds of the width of the flag. The inner line of the opening of the letter C is three-fourths of the width of its body or bar, and the outer line of the opening is double the length of the inner line thereof. Completely filling the open space inside the letter C is a golden disk, attached to the flag is a cord of gold and silver, intertwined, with tassels, one of gold and one of silver.

The flag was originally designed by Andrew Carlisle Johnson. Precise colors of red and blue were not designated in the 1911 legislation and some controversy arose over these colors. On February 28, 1929, the General Assembly stipulated the precise colors of red and blue as the same as the national flag. Controversy also arose over the size of the letter C and on March 31, 1964, the General Assembly further modified the 1911 legislation by revising the distance from the staff for the letter C and its diameter.

Citations: Senate Bill 118, 1911; Senate Bill 152, 1929; Senate Bill, 1964.

What Do the Colors on the Colorado State Flag Mean?

By Brian K. Trembath on July 2, 2015,*

On May 6, 1911, the Colorado State Legislature passed Senate Bill 118, designating a new Colorado State Flag. That piece of legislation also included a section explaining, "10 Significations," of the flag which are reprinted here in full:

The New Colorado State Flag has 10 significations:

First -- The red C stands for Colorado, a Spanish word, meaning red.

Second -- C stands for the centennial. Colorado was admitted to the Union in the year 1876-- the one-hundredth anniversary of American independence.

Third -- C stands for columbine, the state flower of Colorado.

Fourth -- The gold center symbolizes the glorious all-the-year-round sunshine of Colorado.

Fifth -- The aureate center also represents the most precious of metals, gold, in the production of which Colorado excels all other states.

Sixth -- The Yale blue stripes stand for the ever-smiling skies of the Rocky Mountain region.

Seventh -- The white stripe typifies the white metal, silver in whose production Colorado also leads the entire galaxy of states.

Eighth -- The white stripe further represents the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains.

Ninth -- The Blue and White stripes together give us two of the delicate colors of the exquisite State flower, the columbine.

Tenth -- The interlaced gold and silver cords symbolize the union and harmony of the sterling people of the Centennial State.

NOT ALL COLORADO STATE FLAGS ARE THE SAME!
HERE'S WHY...

Extra care is taken in making these flags. Flag designs are researched to ensure that they are authentic and current. We use sturdy fabrics, allowing the flags to be flown outdoors, indoors, or carried in parades.

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• All outdoor flags are finished with heavy-duty thread, polyester heading, brass grommets, and four needle fly hem
• State flags constructed to precise specifications
• Flies in the slightest breeze
• Proudly Made in the USA
• Beautiful Presentation - This Colorado Flag makes an excellent gift for friends, parents, or to PROUDLY display on your HOME or OFFICE.

 
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SOLAR SHIELD

• Rich, Vivid Colors
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Source:

*What Do the Colors on the Colorado State Flag Mean? By Brian K. Trembath on July 2, 2015, Research News Colorado History Colorado State Flag WH/G