# List of Colorado state symbols

The U.S. State of Colorado has many adopted symbols and emblems. Most of these symbols and emblems were adopted by acts of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Colorado, and after statehood, the General Assembly of the State of Colorado. A few of these symbols were adopted by executive action of the Governor. Federal agencies designated some of these symbols in honor of the state. Each entry explains the manner and date of adoption.
The first insignia of Colorado, the territorial motto: Nil sine numine, was adopted by the First Session of the Territorial Legislature on November 6, 1861. The seal and coat of arms of the Territory of Colorado were specified by the First Session of the Territorial Legislature but not created until November 11, 1861.

## Insignia

Colorado state insignia :
| Type | Symbol | Image | Adopted |
| Coat of arms | Coat of Arms of the State of Colorado | | November 11, 1861 March 15, 1877 CRS 24-80-901 |
| Flag | Flag of the State of Colorado | | June 5, 1911 SB 118-1911 February 28, 1928 SB 152-1929 March 31, 1964 |
| Logo | Colorado state government logo | See Colorado state logo. | March 26, 2019 |
| Motto | Nil sine numine (Latin: Nothing without providence) | NIL SINE NVMINE | November 6, 1861 November 6, 1876 CRS 24-80-901 |
| Nickname | Centennial State | The Centennial State | Statehood on August 1, 1876 |
| Seal | Great Seal of the State of Colorado | | November 11, 1861 March 15, 1877 CRS 24-80-901 |
| Slogan | Colorful Colorado | | 1950 unofficial |

## Living symbols

Colorado living symbols :
| Type | Symbol | Adopted |
| Amphibian | Western tiger salamander Ambystoma mavortium | March 16, 2012 HB12-1147 |
| Bird | Lark bunting Calamospiza melanocorys | April 29, 1931 HB 222-1931 CRS 24-80-910 |
| Cactus | Claret cup cactus Echinocereus triglochidiatus | March 7, 2014 HB14-1024 |
| Fish | Greenback cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki stomias | March 15, 1994 HB 1164-1994 CRS 24-80-911.5 |
| Flower | Rocky Mountain columbine Aquilegia coerulea | April 4, 1899 SB 261-1899 CRS 24-80-905 |
| Grass | Blue grama grass Bouteloua gracilis | May 20, 1987 SJR13-1987 |
| Insect | Colorado hairstreak butterfly Hypaurotis crysalus | April 17, 1996 SB 122-1996 CRS 24-80-913 |
| Mammal | Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis canadensis | May 1, 1961 SB 294-1961 CRS 24-80-911 |
| Pets | Colorado shelter pets Canis lupus familiaris & Felis catus | May 13, 2013 SB13-201 |
| Reptile | Western painted turtle Chrysemys picta bellii | March 18, 2008 HB08-1017 |
| Tree | Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens glauca | March 7, 1939 HJR 7-1939 |

## Earth symbols

Colorado earth symbols :
| Type | Symbol | Adopted |
| Fossil | Stegosaurus | April 28, 1982 Executive Order |
| Gemstone | Aquamarine | April 30, 1971 HB 1104-1971 CRS 24-80-912 |
| Mineral | Rhodochrosite | April 17, 2002 CRS 24-80-912.5 |
| Rock | Yule Marble | March 9, 2004 HB04-1023 CRS 24-80-912.7 |
| Soil | Seitz soil | United States Department of Agriculture |

## Cultural symbols

Colorado cultural symbols :
| Type | Symbol | Adopted |
| Folk dance | Square dance | March 16, 1992 HB 1058-1992 CRS 24-80-909.5 |
| Songs | "Where the Columbines Grow" | May 8, 1915 SB 308-1915 CRS 24-80-909 |
| Songs | "Rocky Mountain High" | March 12, 2007 SJR07-023 CRS 24-80-909 |
| Summer sport | Pack burro racing | May 8, 2012 HJR12-1021 |
| Tartan | Colorado state tartan | March 3, 1997 HJR97-1016 |
| Winter sport | Skiing and snowboarding | April 8, 2008 |

## Highway route markers

Colorado highway route markers :
| Type | Symbol | Image | Adopted |
| State highways | Colorado state highway route marker | | 1967 Colorado Highway Commission |
| Scenic byways | Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway route marker | | 1989 Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission |

## Motor vehicle license plates

Typical Colorado state motor vehicle license plate :
| Type | Symbol | Image | Adopted |
| License plate | Colorado passenger automobile registration plate | | 1913 2018 Colorado Department of Revenue |

## United States naval vessels

United States naval vessels named USS Colorado :
| Type | Symbol | Commissioned |
| Screw frigate | USS Colorado (1856) | March 13, 1858 to June 8, 1875 United States Navy |
| Armored cruiser | USS Colorado (ACR-7) | January 19, 1905 renamed USS Pueblo November 9, 1916 to September 28, 1927 United States Navy |
| Battleship | USS Colorado (BB-45) | August 30, 1923 to January 1947 United States Navy |
| Nuclear submarine | USS Colorado (SSN-788) | Commissioned March 17, 2018 United States Navy |

## United States stamp

Colorado state centennial United States postage stamp :
| Type | Symbol | Image | Issued |
| U.S. postage stamp | Colorado state centennial stamp | | May 21, 1977 United States Postal Service |

## United States coin

2006 United States quarter dollar featuring Colorado :
| Type | Symbol | Image | Released |
| U.S. quarter dollar | Colorado State Quarter | | June 14, 2006 United States Mint |