In the early days of the Centennial State, Denver was not always the capital of Colorado. This fact often surprises people when they ask about the capital of Colorado.
In 1876, Colorado officially became a state. However, it wasn’t until 1881 that the residents voted to designate Denver as the capital. Interestingly, there were two other cities in Colorado that held the title of being the capital at different points in history.
The Capital of the Colorado Territory
Colorado became a territory of the United States in 1861, and at that time, Colorado City was chosen as its capital. Currently, this quaint town in Colorado is inhabited by only 2,237 people. However, the initial meetings of the Colorado territorial legislature in Colorado City were far from smooth. The session lasted a mere five days due to the inadequate facilities, leading to the selection of a new capital further north.
Colorado’s Second Capital City
From 1862 to 1867, the Colorado territory designated the city of Golden as its capital. If you happen to find yourself in Golden, make sure to visit the Old Capital Grill Restaurant. It occupies the same site where the state capital building once stood during its time in Golden. You can find the restaurant at 1122 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401.
Colorado Can’t Decide
In 1876, when Colorado officially became a state, the state capital was informally relocated to Denver. However, when it came time to establish a state constitution, the framers chose not to designate a specific capital city. They had concerns that if Denver was named the capital, voters might not approve the state constitution. As a result, the decision was made to omit the capital city from the constitution.
In 1881, there was a referendum held for the Colorado State Capitol. The cities of Denver, Golden, Silver Cliff, and Leadville were all included in the ballot. Interestingly, Denver emerged as the winner by a narrow one-vote margin, which some claim to be a rather questionable outcome.
Welcome to Colorado: The History of Welcome Signs in the Centennial State
Colorado welcomes visitors from all directions, as it is surrounded by seven neighboring states. There are numerous highways that connect Colorado to its neighboring states, providing easy access for travelers. Along these highways, you will find over 40 “Welcome to Colorful Colorado” road signs, serving as a warm greeting to those entering the state. To discover the locations of these signs and catch a glimpse of each one, continue reading.
Photo Credit: Wes Adams
Exploring the History of Grand Junction, Colorado: From Frontier Town to Small City
In 1880, if you had visited western Colorado, you would have been hard-pressed to imagine what the valley would transform into by 2023. Let’s take a look at the noteworthy milestones that shaped Grand Junction’s journey from a frontier settlement to a bustling small city between 1880 and 1900.
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