By Pete Gawda
People in Colorado have two important anniversaries to celebrate this year — one at the state level and one at the national level. The United States was founded 250 years ago on July 4, 1776. Colorado became a state 150 years ago on Aug. 1, 1876.
While the process of officially forming the United States took place over a short period in the summer of 1776, it took about 17 years for Colorado to achieve statehood. During that period, there were five attempts at statehood, accompanied by political wrangling at both the territorial and national levels, as well as three proposed constitutions.
The Colorado statehood process began in 1859, when the first constitutional convention was held to consider statehood. Instead of becoming a state, residents voted to become a territory, mainly because miners opposed statehood. Katherine Mercier, an exhibition developer and historian at the History Colorado Center in Denver, said miners were also opposed to federal taxes and additional government costs. The federal government paid the costs of territorial government.
As a result, Colorado became a territory in 1861.
The issue of statehood arose again in 1864 and was once more defeated by the miners. They opposed what Mercier calls “the Denver Ring,” a group of influential, wealthy Denver men who held political and economic power. In addition, many residents feared they would be drafted against their will to fight in the Civil War.
At a third constitutional convention in 1865, the issue of statehood barely passed by 302 votes. Mercier said the issue passed this time because the Denver Ring stepped aside and allowed some of the miners to participate in the constitutional convention.
Therefore, in 1866, Congress considered a bill to make Colorado a state. However, the bill was defeated at first because Colorado’s constitution stated that only white men could vote. Later in that session, Congress reconsidered and passed the bill, but President Andrew Johnson vetoed it. Johnson said he did not believe the population was large enough for a state, but others believed Johnson vetoed it because he was a Democrat and feared Colorado would become a Republican state.
Another Colorado statehood bill came before Congress in 1867 and passed. Again, Johnson vetoed it.
The issue came before Congress once more in 1875. This time, the bill passed and was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, a Republican. However, the legislation stipulated that Colorado residents must vote on a state constitution. That vote was held July 1, 1876. The successful results were announced July 4, giving Colorado residents two reasons to celebrate the holiday. Mercier said there was a huge celebration in Denver that day.
On Aug. 1, 1876, a proclamation signed by Grant officially made Colorado a state.
“That is why we have Colorado Day on Aug. 1,” Mercier said.
To learn more about Colorado’s route to statehood, visit the History Colorado Center’s exhibit, “38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State.” Mercier said the exhibit provided an opportunity to display historical documents that are not usually seen by the public.
Among other items, the exhibit includes the proclamation signed by Grant, Colorado’s first book of laws, a petition signed by 137 Black men protesting the proposed 1865 constitution, and the surveyor’s chain used in 1861 to survey many Denver streets that remain in use today.
The center is located at 1200 N. Broadway in Denver. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, and there is no charge for children younger than 18. The special statehood exhibit will remain on display through April 4, 2027.
