Flag of Colorado
Encyclopedia
The flag
of the state of Colorado consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width; the top and bottom stripes are blue, and the middle stripe white. On top of these stripes sits a circular red "C", filled with a golden disk. The blue is meant to represent the skies, the gold stands for the sunshine enjoyed by the state
, the white represents the snowcapped mountains and the red represents the red colored earth (from Spanish "Colorado" meaning "red").
was designed by Andrew Carlisle Johnson in 1911 and adopted by the Colorado General Assembly
on June 5 of the same year.
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. On February 28, 1929, the General Assembly added to the description of the flag that the blue and red would be the same color as the flag of the United States. On March 31, 1964, the legislature further dictated the diameter of the gold disc to be equal to the center stripe.
In a 2001 survey of 72 state, provincial and territorial flags in North America
conducted by the North American Vexillological Association
, Colorado's flag was ranked number 16.
The Colorado state flag is also incorporated into the design of Colorado's state highway
markers.
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
of the state of Colorado consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width; the top and bottom stripes are blue, and the middle stripe white. On top of these stripes sits a circular red "C", filled with a golden disk. The blue is meant to represent the skies, the gold stands for the sunshine enjoyed by the state
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, the white represents the snowcapped mountains and the red represents the red colored earth (from Spanish "Colorado" meaning "red").
History
The flagFlag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
was designed by Andrew Carlisle Johnson in 1911 and adopted by the Colorado General Assembly
Colorado General Assembly
The Colorado General Assembly is the state legislature of the State of Colorado.-Constitutional definition:The Colorado Constitution establishes a system of government based on the separation of powers doctrine with power divided among three "departments": executive, legislative and judicial...
on June 5 of the same year.
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. On February 28, 1929, the General Assembly added to the description of the flag that the blue and red would be the same color as the flag of the United States. On March 31, 1964, the legislature further dictated the diameter of the gold disc to be equal to the center stripe.
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
conducted by the North American Vexillological Association
North American Vexillological Association
The North American Vexillological Association is a membership organization devoted to "vexillology as the scientific study of flags." Flag researchers, designers, collectors, activists, merchants, and other enthusiasts from the United States and Canada meet annually at NAVA meetings in order to...
, Colorado's flag was ranked number 16.
The Colorado state flag is also incorporated into the design of Colorado's state highway
State highways in Colorado
The system of State highways in Colorado is a system of public paved roads funded and maintained by the Colorado Department of Transportation; in the U.S. State of Colorado comprises State Highways , U.S. Routes, and Interstate Highways...
markers.
See also
- State of Colorado
- Law and government of ColoradoLaw and Government of ColoradoThe Constitution of the State of Colorado provides for three branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial branches.-Sovereignty of the people:...
- Symbols of the state of Colorado
- Great Seal of the State of Colorado
- Symbols of the state of Colorado
- Law and government of Colorado
- Flags of the U.S. statesFlags of the U.S. statesThe flags of the U.S. states exhibit a wide variety of regional influences and local histories, as well as widely different styles and design principles. Modern state flags date from the 1890s when states wanted to have distinctive symbols at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago...
External links
- State of Colorado website
- Colorado at Flags of the WorldFlags of the WorldFlags of the World is an Internet-based vexillological association and resource. Its principal project is the Internet's largest website devoted to vexillology, containing comprehensive information about all kinds of flags, and an associated mailing list...