page_title: Constitution of Colorado
section_title: Chronology of the Colorado Constitution
hierarchical_section_title: Constitution of Colorado / Chronology of the Colorado Constitution
caption_attribution_description: Map of the states and territories of the United States as it was from 1868 to 1876. On July 29 1868, Wyoming Territory was formed from portions of Dakota, Idaho, and Utah Territories. On August 1 1876, Colorado Territory was admitted as the state of Colorado.
context_page_description: The Constitution of the State of Colorado is the foundation of the laws and government of the U.S. state of Colorado. The current, and only, Colorado State Constitution was drafted on March 14, 1876; approved by Colorado voters on July 1, 1876; and took effect upon the statehood of Colorado on August 1, 1876. From 1876 through 2007, the Colorado Constitution was amended 152 times. The Constitution of Colorado provides and derives its authority from the sovereignty of the people and is the foremost source of state law. In addition to providing for voting, the people of Colorado have reserved initiative of laws and referendum of laws enacted by the legislature to themselves and provided for recall of office holders.
context_section_description: In June 1858, Green Russell finds placer gold along the South Platte River in western Kansas Territory, inciting the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.
  The first election in the gold fields is held for officers of Arapahoe County, Kansas Territory, on 1859-03-03.  Unfortunately, voters are unaware that the Kansas Territorial Legislature split Arapahoe County into six new counties four weeks earlier on 1859-02-07.
  A constitutional convention meeting in Denver City proposes a new State of Jefferson to govern the gold fields in April 1859.
  The first Jefferson Constitutional Convention meeting in Denver City adopts a proposed Constitution of the State of Jefferson on 1859-08-01.  This proposed state constitution is a modified version of the second Constitution of the State of Iowa that was drafted two years earlier.
  Voters of the gold fields reject statehood as premature on 1859-09-05.
  The second Jefferson Constitutional Convention meeting in Denver City adopts a proposed Constitution of the Territory of Jefferson on 1859-10-03.  This proposed territorial constitution is a modified version of the rejected state constitution that was drafted two months earlier.
  By a vote of 2163 to 280, voters approve the creation of the free Territory of Jefferson on 1859-10-24.  The new territory includes portions of the Territory of Kansas, the Territory of Nebraska, the Territory of New Mexico, the Territory of Utah, and the Territory of Washington.  The United States Congress refuses to recognize the new citizen-initiated territory because of the precarious balance of power between the free states and the slave states.  The Jefferson Territory governs the region until 1861 with little interference from the federal government.
  On 1860-10-01, Denver City voters approve the Constitution of the People's Government of Denver, an independent municipal government.
  An Act Admitting the State of Kansas to the Union is enacted by Congress and signed into law by President James Buchanan on 1861-01-29.  The act includes only the eastern two-thirds of the Territory of Kansas in the new state, and leaves the western portion of the Kansas Territory (claimed by the Territory of Jefferson) unorganized.
  An Organic Act for the Territory of Colorado is enacted by Congress and signed into law by President James Buchanan on 1861-02-28.  The free Territory of Colorado occupies the greater southeastern portion of the extralegal Territory of Jefferson, but is 41% less extensive.
  Abraham Lincoln becomes the 16th President of the United States on 1861-03-04.
  The Confederate attack on Fort Sumter initiates the American Civil War on 1861-04-12.  Though the citizens of Colorado hail from many states and countries, the vast majority remain staunchly pro-Union.
  An Enabling Act for the State of Colorado is enacted by Congress and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln on 1864-03-21.
  The first Colorado Constitutional Convention meeting in Denver City adopts a proposed Constitution of the State of Colorado on 1864-07-11.  This proposed state constitution was inspired by the Wyandotte Constitution of the State of Kansas drafted in 1859.
  By a vote of 1520 to 4672, Colorado voters reject the first proposed Colorado State Constitution on 1864-10-11, primarily because it includes a preselected slate of candidates for state and national office.
  President Lincoln is assassinated and dies on 1865-04-15.  The Republican-led Congress soon spars with the new Democratic President Andrew Johnson.
  The second Colorado Constitutional Convention adopts a second proposed Constitution of the State of Colorado on 1865-08-12.
  Colorado voters approve the second proposed Constitution for the State of Colorado on 1865-09-01.  Fearing a strengthened Republican majority in Congress, President Andrew Johnson refuses to declare the statehood of Colorado.
  Frustrated by the President's refusal to declare the statehood of Colorado, Congress approves a Colorado Statehood Bill, but President Andrew Johnson vetoes the measure on 1866-05-15.
  Congress approves a second Colorado Statehood Bill, but President Johns
caption: Map of the United States in 1868
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