Sunday, November 8, 2026

Question: Colorado adopted its first official state flag in 1907. Why was it replaced just four years later?

Answer: Very few people knew about the original. The original 1907 design featured the state seal and motto on a plain blue background. Only a single physical flag was ever made, and it was largely stored away in a janitor’s closet at the State Capitol.

In late 1910, the Denver chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) met under the mistaken belief that Colorado still had no official state flag. Backed by political influence, the DAR pushed for a new, recognizable banner. They selected a bold design by Andrew Carlisle Carson featuring blue and white stripes with a red “C” and golden disc, which was officially adopted on June 5, 1911.