Simone Lawson
Colorado's path to statehood was a long and winding one, marked by several constitutional conventions, proposed constitutions, and even a presidential veto. The state's current constitution was drafted on March 14, 1876, and approved by voters on July 1, 1876, but this was not the first time Colorado had tried to become a state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 1 July 1876 |
| Date of drafting | 14 March 1876 |
| Date of convention | 20 December 1875 |
| Date of statehood | 1 August 1876 |
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What You'll Learn
The third Colorado Constitutional Convention
The second Colorado Constitutional Convention adopted their proposed "Constitution of the State of Colorado" on 12 August 1865. Colorado voters approved this constitution on 1 September, but President Andrew Johnson refused to declare the statehood of Colorado, fearing it would lead to a Republican majority in the US Congress. This sparked a series of attempts by Congress to pass a Colorado Statehood Bill, which were vetoed by President Johnson and his successor, Ulysses S. Grant.
Finally, the third Colorado Constitutional Convention was convened, and the resulting constitution was approved by Colorado voters on 1 July 1876, with 15,443 residents voting in favour and 4,062 opposed. The constitution took effect when Colorado was granted statehood on 1 August 1876. It has been amended several times since then.
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The Colorado Constitution was inspired by other state constitutions
The process of drafting the Colorado Constitution began with the election of delegates to the third Colorado Constitutional Convention on October 10, 1875. This convention, held in Denver, adopted the third proposed "Constitution of the State of Colorado" on March 14, 1876. The proposed constitution was inspired by the constitutions of other states, as mentioned earlier. The Colorado Constitution was drafted by 39 delegates over 87 days, and it remains one of the lengthiest state constitutions in the United States.
The Colorado Constitution serves as the foundation of the laws and government of the state of Colorado. It has been amended several times since its ratification. The constitution includes various articles, such as "Boundaries," which establishes the boundaries of the state, and "Bill of Rights," which contains the Bill of Rights of Colorado citizens.
It is worth noting that this was not the first attempt to draft a constitution for Colorado. The second Colorado Constitutional Convention adopted a proposed constitution on August 12, 1865, which was approved by Colorado voters on September 1. However, President Andrew Johnson refused to declare the statehood of Colorado, fearing it would lead to a Republican majority in Congress. This led to a series of attempts by Congress to pass a Colorado Statehood Bill, which were met with vetoes from President Johnson and his successor, Ulysses S. Grant.
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Colorado voters approved the constitution on July 1, 1876
The first proposed constitution was adopted on July 11, 1864, and was inspired by the Wyandotte Constitution of the State of Kansas (1859). However, Colorado voters rejected this proposal by a vote of 1520 to 4672, as it included a pre-selected slate of candidates for state and national office. The second proposed constitution was adopted on August 12, 1865, and was approved by Colorado voters on September 1. However, President Andrew Johnson refused to declare the statehood of Colorado, fearing it would lead to a Republican majority in Congress.
The third proposed constitution was drafted by delegates elected by Colorado voters on October 10, 1875. It was approved by voters on July 1, 1876, and took effect upon the statehood of Colorado on August 1, 1876. It has been amended several times since.
The Colorado State Constitution is the foundation of the laws and government of the state of Colorado. It establishes the boundaries of the state and contains the Bill of Rights of the citizens of Colorado.
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The constitution took effect when Colorado was granted statehood
The Constitution of the State of Colorado was drafted on March 14, 1876, and approved by Colorado voters on July 1, 1876. It took effect when Colorado was granted statehood on August 1, 1876.
The constitution was inspired by the third Constitution of the State of Illinois (1870), the fourth Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1873), and the third Constitution of the State of Missouri (1875). It is one of the lengthiest state constitutions in the United States.
The process of drafting the Colorado Constitution began with the election of delegates to the third Colorado Constitutional Convention on October 10, 1875. The convention, held in Denver, adopted the proposed constitution on March 14, 1876, after 87 days of work.
Colorado voters had previously rejected a proposed constitution in 1864, primarily because it included a pre-selected slate of candidates for state and national office. The second Colorado Constitutional Convention adopted a proposed constitution in August 1865, which was approved by Colorado voters on September 1. However, President Andrew Johnson refused to declare the statehood of Colorado, fearing it would lead to a Republican majority in Congress.
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The constitution has been amended several times since 1876
The Colorado Constitution was drafted on March 14, 1876, and approved by Colorado voters on July 1, 1876. It took effect when Colorado was granted statehood on August 1, 1876. Since then, it has been amended several times.
The constitution was inspired by the third Constitution of the State of Illinois (1870), the fourth Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1873), and the third Constitution of the State of Missouri (1875). It was also influenced by the Wyandotte Constitution of the State of Kansas, drafted in 1859.
The road to statehood for Colorado was a long and challenging one. The first proposed constitution was rejected by Colorado voters in 1864. President Andrew Johnson refused to declare statehood for Colorado in 1865, despite the adoption of a second proposed constitution, due to concerns about a potential Republican majority in Congress. Congress made several attempts to pass a Colorado Statehood Bill between 1866 and 1873, but these efforts were repeatedly vetoed. It was only during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant that Colorado finally achieved statehood, thanks to the approval of a third proposed constitution by Colorado voters in 1876.
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Frequently asked questions
Colorado ratified its constitution on July 1, 1876.
The Colorado constitution was drafted in 87 days, from December 20, 1875, to March 14, 1876.
15,443 people voted in favour of the Colorado constitution.
4,062 people voted against the Colorado constitution.
There were 39 delegates at the Colorado constitutional convention.
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