Colorado SymbolsComposed in this list are official Colorado symbols, Colorado emblems, and other state representations.State Animal: Colorado’s state animal has been the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep since May 1, 1961. They can only be found in the Rocky Mountains and most often above the tree line. These animals stand up to three and a half feet tall, weigh up to three hundred pounds, and can project horns of up to fifty inches in length. State Fish: The Greenback Cutthroat Trout was officially adopted as the state fish on March 15, 1994. The Rainbow Trout was generally thought to have been Colorado’s state fish from 1954 to 1994, but it was never made official. State Flag: This Colorado state emblem was adopted on June 5, 1911. This Colorado symbol is pictured to the left. State Flower: The White and Lavender Columbine became Colorado’s state flower on April 4, 1899 by the General Assembly. It is illegal to uproot this plant on public lands and removal of the buds is limited to 25 a day. State Folk Dance: The Square Dance has been Colorado’s official folk dance since 1992. It is an American folk dance that can be traced back to the French ballroom dance and the English country dance. State Fossil: The Stegosaurus has been Colorado’s state fossil since April 28, 1982. The world’s first stegosaurus was found at the Dinosaur Ridge Bone Quarry in Morrison, Colorado. State Gemstone: Aquamarine became Colorado’s official state gemstone on April 30, 1971. The color of this gem can range from pale blue to a deep blue green and can be found in only two places in Colorado—Mount Antero and Mount White. State Grass: Blue Grama Grass was designated the official state grass on May 20, 1987 in order to help inform and educate residents about this resource. State Insect: The state insect, Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly, can be found at elevations of 6,500 to 7,500 feet around scrub oak ecosystems. It was made the state insect on April 17, 1996. State Motto: The Latin phrase Nil Sine Numine or “Nothing Without the Deity” is Colorado’s state motto. State Nickname: Colorado obtained the nickname the “Centennial State” because it became a state 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. “Colorful Colorado” is also a common nickname because of the diverse scenery of rivers, mountains, and plains that can be found across the state. State Reptile: The Western Painted Turtle was made Colorado’s state reptile on March 18, 2008 by a 4th grade teacher and his two classes from 2007 and 2008. These two classes researched reptiles in Colorado and decided that the Western Painted Turtle was the most representative of the state. State Rock: The Yule Marble, a luminous white marble, was designated Colorado’s state rock on March 9, 2004. The high quality of this type of marble made it the chosen medium for the basement of the Colorado Capitol as well as the Lincoln Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Washington Monument. State Song: "Where the Columbines Grow" became Colorado’s official state song in 1915. It was composed by A.J. Fynn after seeing a Colorado meadow covered in columbines. “Rocky Mountain High” (Lyrics- John Denver, Music- James Taylor) was adopted as a second official state song on March 12, 2007. State Tree: The Colorado Blue Spruce was officially named Colorado’s state tree in 1939. It grows at elevations of 6,000 to 11,000 feet and comes in colors of green, blue and silver. |
State Seal: This Colorado state symbol was adopted on March 15, 1877. This Colorado symbol is pictured to the right.
