Isabella Carter
The Colorado Constitution, the state constitution of Colorado, was drafted on March 14, 1876, and took effect on August 1, 1876, when Colorado became the 38th state in the Union. It was ratified by Congress in the years following the Civil War and was one of the first state constitutions to do so. The constitution was signed after 87 days of debate by delegates in Denver's Odd Fellows Hall, where they discussed topics like the formation of a public school system, the taxation of property, and the right to suffrage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | March 14, 1876 |
| Location | Denver's Odd Fellows Hall |
| Length | 40 pages |
| Paper type | Machine-made ledger paper |
| Amendments | 176 |
| Previous versions | 1 |
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What You'll Learn
The Colorado Constitution was drafted in Denver's Odd Fellows Hall
The Colorado Constitution is the foundational document that outlines the framework for governance in the state, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, as well as individual and civil rights. It was approved by Colorado voters on July 1, 1876, and took effect on August 1, 1876, when Colorado became the 38th state in the Union. This was the culmination of a long process that began with the territory's organisation in 1861 and was marked by several setbacks and vetoes.
The Colorado Constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption, with voters most recently approving five new amendments in 2024. It is a living document that reflects the evolving needs and values of the state and its citizens. The process of amending the constitution is designed to be accessible to the people of Colorado, who can propose and vote on amendments directly.
The Colorado Constitution's journey towards the realisation of human rights and social equality has been ambivalent and complex. While it provided for freedom of elections, equality of justice, due process of law, prohibition of slavery, and guarantees for the property rights of aliens, it also embedded racial tensions and pitted the rights of women against those of other minorities. Nonetheless, it has served as a precursor and inspiration for many other state constitutions drafted or amended in the latter half of the 19th century.
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It was adopted in 1876, the same year it took effect
The Colorado Constitution was drafted on March 14, 1876, and approved by Colorado voters on July 1, 1876. It took effect on August 1, 1876, the same day that President Grant declared Colorado's statehood. This was the culmination of a long process that began with the first Colorado Constitutional Convention in Denver City in 1864. This convention adopted the first proposed "Constitution of the State of Colorado", inspired by the Wyandotte Constitution of the State of Kansas. However, Colorado voters rejected this formulation, primarily because it included a pre-selected slate of candidates for state and national office.
Efforts to gain statehood for Colorado were frustrated by political tensions and the American Civil War. During the war, Colorado's territory remained generally supportive of the Union. In 1864, President Lincoln signed the "Enabling Act for the State of Colorado", which allowed citizens to organise a state, but this was contingent on later congressional recognition. Two attempts at statehood were rejected by President Andrew Johnson in 1865 and 1867, in part due to fears of shifting political power in Congress.
A second "Enabling Act for the State of Colorado" was signed into law by President Grant in 1875, paving the way for the successful adoption of the Colorado Constitution in 1876. This constitution was drafted over 87 days of debate in Denver's Odd Fellows Hall, covering topics such as the formation of a public school system, taxation, and the right of suffrage. The resulting document set the terms and duties of state government officials and outlined the process for introducing and passing laws. It also established the state's court system and created a program for the supervision and maintenance of public schools.
The Colorado Constitution has been amended numerous times since its adoption, with voters approving five new amendments as recently as 2024. It remains the governing document for the state, providing the framework for governance and guaranteeing certain rights and freedoms for its citizens.
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The document is 40 pages long, written on machine-made ledger paper
The Colorado Constitution, drafted on March 14, 1876, is a 40-page document written on machine-made ledger paper. The constitution was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on August 1, 1876, marking Colorado's entry into the Union as the 38th state. This came after two unsuccessful attempts in 1865 and 1867.
Ledger paper is a North American paper size commonly used for tabloids or smaller-sized newspapers. It measures 432 x 279 mm or 17 x 11 inches, with a horizontal or landscape orientation. The Colorado Constitution's 40-page length reflects the comprehensive nature of the document, which sets the terms and duties of state government officials and outlines the process for introducing and passing laws.
The constitutional convention for the Colorado Territory convened on December 20, 1875, and for the next 87 days, delegates met in Denver's Odd Fellows Hall to debate various topics. These included the formation of a public school system, taxation of property, disposition of public waters and lands, control of corporate bodies, and the right of suffrage. The constitution was modelled after the United States Constitution, and its provisions established the State Supreme Court, district and county courts, and a program for the supervision and maintenance of the public school system.
The Colorado Constitution also included the development of a state tax system and the adoption of rules to regulate railroads and other corporations. Additionally, it outlined the process for amending the constitution itself. The original version of the constitution was handwritten by Fred J. Stanton, the engrossing and enrolling clerk for the constitutional convention. A copy was later penned by the assistant engrossing and enrolling clerk, W.A. Salisbury.
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It was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant
The Colorado Constitution was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on August 1, 1876, marking the state's induction as the 38th state in the Union. This came after a long process of political wrangling and several false starts.
The first Colorado Constitutional Convention was held in Denver City on July 11, 1864, and the first proposed constitution was drafted, inspired by the Wyandotte Constitution of the State of Kansas. However, this was rejected by Colorado voters in October of that year. The American Civil War, which began in April 1861, further complicated matters, and the Colorado territory's population largely supported the Union.
Abraham Lincoln, who had become president in March 1861, signed the "Enabling Act for the State of Colorado" on March 21, 1864, allowing citizens of the territory to organise a state, provided it was later recognised by Congress. However, this recognition did not come easily. In 1865, 1866, and 1867, attempts were made to gain statehood, but these were unsuccessful due to political concerns about the balance of power between free and slave states, and the potential for a Republican majority in Congress.
Ulysses S. Grant, who became president in 1869, supported a second enabling act for Colorado's statehood, which he signed into law on March 3, 1875. This set the stage for the final steps towards statehood and the signing of the Colorado Constitution in 1876. The constitution-making process was lengthy and detailed, with delegates debating various topics over 87 days, including the formation of a public school system, taxation, the control of corporations, and suffrage. The resulting constitution has been amended numerous times since its inception, reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of governance in Colorado.
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The constitution has been amended 176 times
The Colorado Constitution, drafted on March 14, 1876, and approved by voters on July 1, 1876, has been amended 176 times as of November 5, 2024. The constitution, inspired by the Wyandotte Constitution of the State of Kansas, the third Constitution of the State of Illinois, the fourth Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the third Constitution of the State of Missouri, was the culmination of 87 days of debate by 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Denver's Odd Fellows Hall. It took effect upon the statehood of Colorado on August 1, 1876, and has served as the foundation of the laws and government of the state since then.
The constitution-making process in Colorado is a testament to the state's citizens' active participation in shaping their governance. The state offers three mechanisms for amending its constitution: a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. The citizen-initiated process, also known as an initiated constitutional amendment, allows citizens to propose amendments directly. This method requires gathering a certain number of signatures, equivalent to 5% of the votes cast for the Colorado Secretary of State in the previous general election, before proceeding to a statewide referendum. The legislative process involves the state assembly drafting an amendment, securing a two-thirds majority vote in each house, and then submitting it to voters for approval by a 55% majority in a statewide referendum. Notably, amendments that solely repeal parts of the constitution only require a simple majority approval in the statewide referendum for both the citizen-initiated and legislative processes. The third mechanism is for the state assembly to call a constitutional convention, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in each house and simple majority approval from voters in a statewide referendum. The members of this convention are then determined by a statewide election, and they propose alterations that are subject to voter approval.
Over the years, various amendments have been proposed and enacted through these processes. For instance, in 1992, voters approved an amendment creating Article X, Section 20, known as the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which limits annual tax increases. Another notable amendment, Amendment 12, directed Colorado's representatives in the US Congress to support congressional term limits, but it was later found unconstitutional and repealed in 2002. In 2006, Amendment 43, which banned same-sex marriage, was passed but eventually nullified by the Obergefell v. Hodges case in 2015, which guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage nationwide. The most recent amendments were approved by voters on November 5, 2024, when five new amendments were added to the Colorado Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The Colorado Constitution was signed in Denver, specifically at Denver's Odd Fellows Hall.
The Colorado Constitution was drafted on March 14, 1876, and approved by Colorado voters on July 1, 1876. It came into effect on August 1, 1876, when Colorado became a state.
The Colorado Constitution was modelled after the United States Constitution. It set the terms and duties of state government officials and outlined how laws could be introduced and passed. It also established the State Supreme Court, district and county courts, and a public school system.
Yes, the Colorado Constitution has been amended several times since its creation. As of 2024, it has been amended 176 times.
