Introduction
The flag of Colorado is a distinctive and vibrant banner featuring a unique color palette and a prominent central emblem. Its design consists of three horizontal stripes: a wide white stripe between two narrower blue stripes. On the hoist side, a large letter 'C' is filled with a golden-yellow disc, creating a bold and memorable focal point.
The flag's proportions and color specifications are precisely defined by state law, ensuring consistency in its display. The combination of blue, white, yellow, and red is highly recognizable and reflects the state's natural environment and history. Its simple yet symbolic design is widely praised in vexillological circles for its effectiveness and memorability.
Adopted in the early 20th century, the flag has become an enduring symbol of Colorado pride, appearing on everything from government buildings to outdoor recreation gear. The stylized 'C' is its most defining feature, setting it apart from the flags of other U.S. states and making it one of the more iconic state banners.
Meaning & Symbolism
The colors and symbols of the Colorado flag are deeply tied to the state's geography and character. The blue stripes represent the state's clear blue skies, while the white stripe symbolizes the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains. The red 'C' stands for Colorado, meaning "colored red" in Spanish, and also references the red soil found across parts of the state.
The golden disc inside the 'C' represents the abundant sunshine Colorado enjoys, as well as the state's historical gold mining industry. Together, the colors red, blue, white, and gold are the official state colors. The design elegantly encapsulates the state's nickname, "the Centennial State," through its prominent central letter, creating a direct and powerful visual identifier.
History of the Colorado Flag
The flag was designed by Andrew Carlisle Carson and was officially adopted by the Colorado General Assembly on June 5, 1911. The original design specified the same colors but had a slightly different proportion for the central blue stripe. This design was used for several years before a precise standard was enacted.
On March 31, 1964John Arthur Love. This action ensured that all reproductions of the flag would be consistent in their representation of the state's official symbol.
Curiosities
- In a 2001 survey by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA), the Colorado flag was ranked as the 16th best design among U.S. and Canadian state, provincial, and territorial flags.
- The flag is one of the few U.S. state flags to incorporate a letter as its primary design element, making it highly distinctive and easy to identify.
- The precise shades of color are legally defined: the blue and red match the colors of the United States flag, and the statute specifies the exact shade of gold.
Download Flag
Download the flag of Colorado in high-quality SVG vector format or PNG raster images. SVG files can be scaled to any size without losing quality.
Construction Sheet
The flag's layout is precisely defined. The width of the flag is divided into three horizontal stripes: the two outer blue stripes are each 1/6 of the total flag width, and the central white stripe is 2/3 (or 4/6) of the width. A circular red 'C' is placed with its center at the flag's midpoint, its inner diameter is 1/3 of the flag's width, and its outer diameter is 2/5 of the flag's width. The golden disc inside the 'C' has a diameter equal to the inner diameter of the 'C'.
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Common Misidentifications
Rarely misidentified due to its highly unique design featuring the letter 'C'.