This year has made being an American and a Coloradan into something of an odd phenomenon. Not only are Americans celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) but Coloradans are also celebrating the state’s sesquicentennial (150th anniversary). Now it’s not just the pronunciations of these anniversaries that puts us in a peculiar place, it’s the environment in which we live in.
Politically, the United States and Colorado are at unusual places. President Donald Trump remains an unpopular figure by historical proportions, and Gov. Jared Polis was recently censured by the Colorado Democratic Party’s central committee. Not particularly high marks for leaders at a time that should be celebratory. Economically, we face significant struggles with budgetary pressures, inflation and high gas prices.
With some dire current situations and projections, what are Coloradans supposed to do during celebratory times, times when one is meant to be proud of their citizenry and heritage? I turn to history as a guide as though history doesn’t repeat itself, it can rhyme.
Colorado history is, strange enough, a perfect representation of this mixed sentiment and its admittance as a state 150 years ago is a testament to the uniquely American spirit. The territory of Colorado first attempted to become a state in 1859, but prospectors at the time were opposed to this idea given they would have had to pay state taxes. As a territory, there was the benefit of having the territorial government being funded by the federal Congress instead.
While President Abraham Lincoln favored Colorado statehood (Colorado being dominated by Republicans at the time), his assassination delayed this momentum toward statehood. Lincoln’s Democratic successor, Andrew Johnson, vetoed Colorado’s request for statehood twice.
Johnson’s rationale not only was focused on the political composition of the territory’s residents, but also the population (Colorado’s population of just 40,000 people, he believed, was far too small to warrant statehood) and mandated equal rights suffrage in the 1867 statehood bill, which Johnson opposed.
Of course, all these efforts toward statehood came from an even smaller percentage of the populace and didn’t often factor in Indigenous tribes, Hispanic residents of southern Colorado, Black Coloradans or women.
On the fifth attempt, following Johnson’s presidency, Proclamation 230 was passed, which was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, enabling the Colorado Territory to draft a state constitution. It was ratified Aug. 1, 1876, finishing a 17-year journey toward statehood.
Historian and exhibition developer at History Colorado Katherine Mercier detailed as part of the museum’s “38th Star: Colorado Becomes the Centennial State” exhibit, Colorado’s statehood “wasn’t inevitable.” As we reflect on this earliest state history, there is this level of persistence that permeates this origin to reach our present time, which can be commendable or infuriating.
As many of us grapple with celebratory emotions or a sense of pride this semiquincentennial, I find myself thinking more about those individuals living in the Colorado Territory being completely excluded from paths forward. Today there can even be a sense of hopelessness, that we are just individuals facing down an unstoppable train named “Persistence” that can run us over. That seems to have been what happened 150-years ago, and today we continue to be bombarded with worsening news that we can have seemingly little impact on.
I contend, however, we as individuals have the opportunity to better shape our destiny now than ever before. It goes without saying that now, we can vote. Access to make your voice heard has never been easier. We can hold electeds accountable at the ballot box, through volunteer hours, donations and questions at town halls or community events. This doesn’t need to be hostile, this can be inquisitive and used to genuinely find out which candidate would best represent you.
We also have the power to receive fine journalism; a rarity these days, but still accessible. Look to other sources of information beyond CBS. I promise, exemplary journalism without heightened partisanship is still available.
We can even turn off the bombardment with reducing social media use, having ad blockers and taking even a few seconds more before reposting or sharing a post by assessing credibility and authenticity. This allows us to be individual stewards of good conduct and information.
What does it mean being a Coloradan this semiquincentennial? I believe this is a chance for us to reflect on our history, think with measured approaches to the future while recognizing all of the past (including the uncomfortable and the often excluded), and prioritizing not only the natural beauty of our Colorful Colorado, but the strength of our individual power.
Dalton Valette, of Superior, served as the chair of the Home Rule Commission in Superior and is the cochair of the Superior Historical Commission.
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Type of Story: Opinion
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the author/producer’s interpretation of facts and data.
