Governor of Colorado

Governor of Colorado
Seal of the Executive Office
Incumbent Jared Polis since January 8, 2019
Government of Colorado
Style	The Honorable
Residence	Colorado Governor's Mansion
Term length	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holder	John Long Routt
Formation	August 1, 1876
Deputy	Dianne Primavera
Salary	$123,193 (2019) [1]
Website	www.colorado.gov/governor

The governor of Colorado is the head of government of the U.S. state of Colorado. The governor is the head of the executive branch of Colorado's state government and is charged with enforcing state laws. The governor has the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Colorado General Assembly, to convene the legislature, and to grant pardons, except in cases of treason or impeachment. ^[2] The governor is also the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces.

Seven people served as governor of Colorado Territory over eight terms, appointed by the president of the United States. Since statehood, there have been 38 governors, serving 43 distinct terms. One governor Alva Adams served three non-consecutive terms, while John Long Routt, James Hamilton Peabody, and Edwin C. Johnson each served during two non-consecutive periods. The longest-serving governors were Richard "Dick" Lamm (1975–1987) and Roy Romer (1987–1999), who each served 12 years over three terms. The shortest term occurred on March 16 and 17, 1905, when the state had three governors in the span of 24 hours: Alva Adams won the election, but soon after he took office, the legislature declared his opponent, James Hamilton Peabody, governor, but on the condition that he immediately resign, so that his lieutenant governor, Jesse McDonald, could be governor. Thus, Peabody served less than a day as governor.

The current governor is Democrat Jared Polis, who took office on January 8, 2019.

List of governors

Territory of Jefferson

The self-proclaimed Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson was organized on November 7, 1859. ^[3] Jefferson Territory included all of present-day Colorado, but extended about 3 miles (5 km) farther east, 138 miles (222 km) farther north, and about 50 miles (80 km) farther west. ^[4] The territory was never recognized by the federal government in the tumultuous days before the American Civil War. The Jefferson Territory had only one governor, Robert Williamson Steele, a pro-union Democrat elected by popular vote. He proclaimed the territory dissolved on June 6, 1861, several months after the official formation of the Colorado Territory, but only days after the arrival of its first governor. ^[5]

Territory of Colorado

The Territory of Colorado was organized on February 28, 1861, from parts of the territories of New Mexico, Utah, and Nebraska, and the unorganized territory that was previously the western portion of Kansas Territory. ^[6]

Governors of the Territory of Colorado

No.	Governor		Term in office [lower-alpha 1]	Appointed by
1		William Gilpin (1813–1894) [7] [8]	March 25, 1861 [lower-alpha 2] – March 26, 1862 (successor appointed) [lower-alpha 3]	Abraham Lincoln
2		John Evans (1814–1897) [12] [13]	March 26, 1862 [lower-alpha 4] – October 17, 1865 (resigned) [lower-alpha 5]	Abraham Lincoln
3		Alexander Cummings (1810–1879) [17] [18]	October 17, 1865 [lower-alpha 6] – May 8, 1867 (resigned) [lower-alpha 7]	Andrew Johnson
4		Alexander Cameron Hunt (1825–1894) [26] [27]	May 8, 1867 [lower-alpha 8] – April 19, 1869 (successor appointed)	Andrew Johnson
5		Edward M. McCook (1833–1909) [30] [31]	April 19, 1869 [lower-alpha 9] – April 17, 1873 (successor appointed) [lower-alpha 10]	Ulysses S. Grant
6		Samuel Hitt Elbert (1833–1899) [35] [36]	April 17, 1873 [lower-alpha 11] – July 26, 1874 [lower-alpha 12] (successor appointed)	Ulysses S. Grant
7		Edward M. McCook (1833–1909) [30] [31]	June 19, 1874 [lower-alpha 13] – February 8, 1875 (successor appointed) [lower-alpha 14]	Ulysses S. Grant
8		John Long Routt (1826–1907) [45] [46]	February 8, 1875 [lower-alpha 15] – November 3, 1876 (elected state governor)	Ulysses S. Grant

State of Colorado

The State of Colorado was admitted to the Union on August 1, 1876.

To serve as governor, one must be at least 30 years old, be a citizen of the United States, and have been a resident of the state for at least two years prior to election. The state constitution of 1876 originally called for election of the governor every two years, with their term beginning on the second Tuesday of the January following the election. ^[49] An amendment passed in 1956, taking effect in 1959, increased terms to four years. ^[50] Originally, there was no term limit applied to the governor; a 1990 amendment allowed governors to succeed themselves only once. ^[51] There is however no limit on the total number of terms one may serve as long as one who has served the two term limit is out of office for four years.

Should the office of governor become vacant, the lieutenant governor becomes governor. ^[52] If both the offices governor and lieutenant governor are vacant, the line of succession moves down through the senior members of the state senate and state house of representatives of the same party as the governor. ^[53] The lieutenant governor was elected separately from the governor until a 1968 amendment to the constitution ^[54] made it so that they are elected on the same ticket. ^[55]

Governors of the State of Colorado

No.	Governor			Term in office	Party	Election	Lt. Governor [lower-alpha 16]
1			John Long Routt (1826–1907) [56] [57] [46]	November 3, 1876 [58] – January 14, 1879 (did not run) [56]	Republican [59]	1876		Lafayette Head
2			Frederick Walker Pitkin (1837–1886) [60] [61] [62]	January 14, 1879 [63] – January 9, 1883 (did not run) [lower-alpha 17]	Republican [59]	1878		Horace Tabor
						1880
3			James Benton Grant (1848–1911) [64] [65] [66]	January 9, 1883 [67] – January 13, 1885 (did not run) [64]	Democratic [59]	1882		William H. Meyer [lower-alpha 18]
4			Benjamin Harrison Eaton (1833–1904) [68] [69] [70]	January 13, 1885 [71] – January 11, 1887 (did not run)	Republican [59]	1884		Peter W. Breene
5			Alva Adams (1850–1922) [72] [73] [74]	January 11, 1887 [75] – January 8, 1889 (did not run)	Democratic [59]	1886		Norman H. Meldrum
6			Job Adams Cooper (1843–1899) [76] [77] [78]	January 8, 1889 [79] – January 13, 1891 (did not run)	Republican [59]	1888		William Grover Smith
7			John Long Routt (1826–1907) [56] [57] [46]	January 13, 1891 [80] – January 10, 1893 (did not run)	Republican [59]	1890		William Story
8			Davis Hanson Waite (1825–1901) [81] [82] [83]	January 10, 1893 [84] – January 8, 1895 (lost election)	People's [lower-alpha 19]	1892		David H. Nichols
9			Albert McIntire (1853–1935) [86] [87] [88]	January 8, 1895 [89] – January 12, 1897 (did not run)	Republican [59]	1894		Jared L. Brush [lower-alpha 18]
10			Alva Adams (1850–1922) [72] [73] [74]	January 12, 1897 [90] – January 10, 1899 (did not run)	Democratic [59]	1896
11			Charles S. Thomas (1849–1934) [91] [92] [93]	January 10, 1899 [94] – January 8, 1901 (did not run)	Democratic [lower-alpha 20]	1898		Francis Patrick Carney [lower-alpha 21]
12			James Bradley Orman (1849–1919) [95] [96] [97]	January 8, 1901 [98] – January 13, 1903 (did not run)	Democratic [lower-alpha 22]	1900		David C. Coates [lower-alpha 23]
13			James Hamilton Peabody (1852–1917) [101] [102] [103]	January 13, 1903 [104] – January 10, 1905 (lost election) [lower-alpha 24]	Republican [59]	1902		Warren A. Haggott [lower-alpha 25]
14			Alva Adams (1850–1922) [72] [73] [74]	January 10, 1905 [109] – March 16, 1905 (declared loser in election) [lower-alpha 24]	Democratic [59]	1904 [lower-alpha 24]		Arthur Cornforth
15			James Hamilton Peabody (1852–1917) [101] [102] [103]	March 16, 1905 [110] – March 17, 1905 (resigned) [lower-alpha 24]	Republican [59]			Jesse Fuller McDonald
16			Jesse Fuller McDonald (1858–1942) [111] [112] [113]	March 17, 1905 [114] – January 8, 1907 (did not run) [113]	Republican [59]	Succeeded from lieutenant governor [lower-alpha 24]		Arthur Cornforth [lower-alpha 26] (removed July 5, 1905)
								Fred W. Parks
17			Henry Augustus Buchtel (1847–1924) [115] [116] [117]	January 8, 1907 [118] – January 12, 1909 (did not run) [117]	Republican [59]	1906		Erastus Harper
18			John F. Shafroth (1854–1922) [119] [120] [121]	January 12, 1909 [122] – January 14, 1913 (did not run) [lower-alpha 27]	Democratic [59]	1908		Stephen R. Fitzgarrald
						1910
19			Elias M. Ammons (1860–1925) [123] [124] [125]	January 14, 1913 [126] – January 12, 1915 (did not run)	Democratic [59]	1912		Benjamin F. Montgomery
20			George Alfred Carlson (1876–1926) [127] [128] [129]	January 12, 1915 [130] – January 9, 1917 (lost election)	Republican [59]	1914		Moses E. Lewis
21			Julius Caldeen Gunter (1858–1940) [131] [132] [133]	January 9, 1917 [134] – January 14, 1919 (did not run) [133]	Democratic [59]	1916		James Pulliam
22			Oliver Henry Shoup (1869–1940) [135] [136] [137]	January 14, 1919 [138] – January 9, 1923 (did not run) [135]	Republican [59]	1918		George Stephan
						1920		Earl Cooley
23			William Ellery Sweet (1869–1942) [139] [140] [141]	January 9, 1923 [142] – January 13, 1925 (lost election)	Democratic [59]	1922		Robert F. Rockwell [lower-alpha 18]
24			Clarence Morley (1869–1948) [143] [144] [145]	January 13, 1925 [146] – January 11, 1927 (did not run)	Republican [59]	1924		Sterling Byrd Lacy [lower-alpha 26]
25			Billy Adams (1861–1954) [147] [148] [149]	January 11, 1927 [150] – January 10, 1933 (did not run)	Democratic [59]	1926		George Milton Corlett [lower-alpha 18]
						1928
						1930		Edwin C. Johnson
26			Edwin C. Johnson (1884–1970) [151] [152] [153]	January 10, 1933 [154] – January 2, 1937 (resigned) [lower-alpha 28]	Democratic [59]	1932		Ray Herbert Talbot
						1934
27			Ray Herbert Talbot (1896–1955) [155] [156] [157]	January 2, 1937 [158] – January 12, 1937 (successor took office)	Democratic [59]	Succeeded from lieutenant governor	Vacant
28			Teller Ammons (1895–1972) [159] [160] [161]	January 12, 1937 [162] – January 10, 1939 (lost election)	Democratic [59]	1936		Frank Hayes
29			Ralph Lawrence Carr (1887–1950) [163] [164] [165]	January 10, 1939 [166] – January 12, 1943 (did not run)	Republican [59]	1938		John Charles Vivian
						1940
30			John Charles Vivian (1887–1964) [167] [168] [169]	January 12, 1943 [170] – January 14, 1947 (did not run)	Republican [59]	1942		William Eugene Higby
						1944
31			William Lee Knous (1889–1959) [171] [172] [173]	January 14, 1947 [174] – April 15, 1950 (resigned) [lower-alpha 29]	Democratic [59]	1946		Homer L. Pearson
						1948		Walter Walford Johnson
32			Walter Walford Johnson (1904–1987) [175] [176] [177]	April 15, 1950 [178] – January 9, 1951 (lost election)	Democratic [59]	Succeeded from lieutenant governor		Charles P. Murphy [lower-alpha 18]
33			Daniel I. J. Thornton (1911–1976) [179] [180] [181]	January 9, 1951 [182] – January 11, 1955 (did not run)	Republican [59]	1950		Gordon Allott
						1952
34			Edwin C. Johnson (1884–1970) [151] [152] [153]	January 11, 1955 [183] – January 8, 1957 (did not run)	Democratic [59]	1954		Stephen McNichols
35			Stephen McNichols (1914–1997) [184] [185] [186]	January 8, 1957 [187] – January 8, 1963 (lost election)	Democratic [59]	1956		Frank L. Hays [lower-alpha 18]
						1958 [lower-alpha 30]		Robert Lee Knous
36			John Arthur Love (1916–2002) [188] [189] [190]	January 8, 1963 [191] – July 16, 1973 (resigned) [lower-alpha 31]	Republican [59]	1962
						1966		Mark Anthony Hogan [lower-alpha 26]
						1970		John D. Vanderhoof
37			John D. Vanderhoof (1922–2013) [192] [193] [194]	July 16, 1973 [195] – January 14, 1975 (lost election)	Republican [59]	Succeeded from lieutenant governor		Ted L. Strickland
38			Richard Lamm (1935–2021) [196] [197]	January 14, 1975 [198] – January 13, 1987 (did not run)	Democratic [59]	1974		George L. Brown
						1978		Nancy E. Dick
						1982
39			Roy Romer (b. 1928) [199]	January 13, 1987 [200] – January 12, 1999 (term-limited) [lower-alpha 32]	Democratic [199]	1986		Mike Callihan (resigned May 10, 1994)
						1990
							Vacant
								Samuel H. Cassidy (took office May 11, 1994)
						1994		Gail Schoettler
40			Bill Owens (b. 1950) [202]	January 12, 1999 [203] – January 9, 2007 (term-limited) [lower-alpha 32]	Republican [202]	1998		Joe Rogers
						2002		Jane E. Norton
41			Bill Ritter (b. 1956) [204]	January 9, 2007 [205] – January 11, 2011 (did not run) [206]	Democratic [204]	2006		Barbara O'Brien
42			John Hickenlooper (b. 1952) [207]	January 11, 2011 [208] – January 8, 2019 (term-limited) [lower-alpha 32]	Democratic [207]	2010		Joseph García (resigned May 12, 2016)
						2014
								Donna Lynne
43			Jared Polis (b. 1975) [209]	January 8, 2019 [210] – Incumbent [lower-alpha 33]	Democratic [209]	2018		Dianne Primavera
						2022

See also

• United States portal
• Colorado portal

• Index of Colorado-related articles
• List of Colorado state legislatures
• Outline of Colorado
• State of Colorado
• Government of Colorado
• Gubernatorial lines of succession in the United States#Colorado
• Lieutenant Governor of Colorado

Notes

1. The range given is from the date the governor was confirmed by the Senate, or appointed by the President during a Senate recess, to the date the governor's successor was confirmed, unless noted.
2. Gilpin was nominated on March 22, 1861, ^[9] and confirmed by the Senate on March 25. ^[10] He arrived in the territory on May 27; ^[11] however, he was not formally sworn in until July 8, ^[7] after the territorial courts were set up.
3. Gilpin was removed from office for improper financial drafts from the federal treasury. ^[8]
4. Evans was nominated on March 18, 1862, ^[14] and confirmed by the Senate on March 26. ^[15] He was sworn in as governor in Washington, D.C., on April 11, and arrived in the territory on May 16. ^[16]
5. Evans resigned at the request of President Johnson following the Sand Creek Massacre. The resignation was requested on July 18, 1865. ^[12]
6. It is ambiguous exactly when Evans resigned and Cummings was appointed. Secretary of State William Seward requested Evans' resignation on July 18, 1865, ^[12] and Evans submitted it on September 4. ^[19] Modern sources say Cummings was appointed on October 17, ^[18] during a Senate recess, and sworn in to office on October 21; ^[17] however, contemporary news reported on his appointment as early as August 18, ^[20] and other major sources say he was appointed on August 8. ^[21] He was formally nominated on December 19, ^[22] and confirmed by the Senate on January 26, 1866. ^[23]
7. Cummings resigned after being accused of misappropriating funds; despite being cleared of wrongdoing, his political career in the territory had been ruined. ^[24] Sources vary on when he resigned; modern sources almost all say April 1867, ^[17] but the best contemporary sources found say he tendered his resignation on May 8, the same day his successor was appointed. ^[25]
8. Hunt was appointed on May 8, 1867, ^[25] during a Senate recess; nominated on July 20; ^[28] and confirmed by the Senate on November 29. ^[29]
9. McCook was nominated on April 15, 1869, ^[32] confirmed by the Senate on April 19, ^[33] and took office on June 15. ^[30]
10. Sources vary on why McCook left office. Grant's nomination of his successor specified that McCook declined reappointment; ^[34] the Colorado State Archives say locals petitioned for his removal; ^[31] and McMullin says Grant refused to reappoint him. ^[30]
11. Elbert was nominated on March 19, 1873, ^[34] and confirmed by the Senate on March 20, ^[37] for a term to begin April 17. ^[34]
12. Most sources do not specify when Elbert left office. According to news dated July 22, 1874, he was still claiming to be governor, ^[38] and that his successor likely arrived in the territory on July 24. ^[39]
13. McCook was nominated on January 28, 1874, ^[40] and confirmed by the Senate on June 19. ^[41] He was sworn in out of state on June 26, ^[42] and took office in the territory probably on July 26. ^[39]
14. Grant's appointment of McCook's successor specified that McCook resigned; ^[43] contemporary news reports say that he was asked to resign, but refused. ^[44]
15. Routt was nominated and confirmed by the Senate on February 8, 1875, ^[43] and took office on March 29. ^{[45] [47] [48]}
16. Lieutenant governors represented the same party as their governor unless noted.
17. Sobel notes that Pitkin ran unsuccessfully for Republican nomination for the United States Senate in 1882, ^[60] but no further details have yet been found as to which of the two Senate races that year he was running in.
18. Represented the Republican Party
19. Kallenbach labels Waite as a Populist and Silver Democrat. ^[85]
20. Thomas was a Democrat, ^[59] but he has been described as a fusion candidate, as he also had support from the People's Party. ^{[91] [93]}
21. Represented the Populist Party
22. Orman was a Democrat, ^[59] and was also nominated by the People's Party. ^[95]
23. The Colorado State Archives labels Coates a Democrat; ^[99] however, a contemporary New York Times article describes him as a Populist elected on a fusion ticket, and that he had renounced all other parties and become a Socialist. ^[100]
24. The 1904 election was rife with fraud and controversy. Alva Adams won election, but soon after he took office the Republican legislature declared James Peabody to be the actual winner, on the condition that Peabody immediately tender his resignation, postdated to the next day. Peabody's lieutenant governor, Jesse McDonald, then succeeded to the governorship. ^{[105] [106]}
25. The Colorado State Archives says Haggott served from 1902 to 1903; however, multiple sources say he served with Peabody ^[107] well into 1904, ^[108] so it is assumed the Archives are in error.
26. Represented the Democratic Party
27. Shafroth was instead elected to the United States Senate. ^[119]
28. Johnson resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate. ^[152]
29. Knous resigned, having been confirmed to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. ^[172]
30. First term under a 1956 constitutional amendment, which lengthened terms to four years. ^[50]
31. Love resigned, having been appointed Director of the Office of Energy Policy. ^[189]
32. Under a 1990 amendment to the constitution, governors may not serve more than two consecutive terms. ^[201]
33. Polis' second term began on January 10, 2023, and will expire on January 12, 2027; he will be term-limited.

References

General

• "Governors of Colorado". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on July 11, 2019. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
• "Governors". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
• "The Territorial Governors Collection". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
• University of Colorado (1907). The University of Colorado Studies, volume IV.
• Sobel, Robert (1978). Biographical directory of the governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. I. Meckler Books. ISBN   9780930466015 . Retrieved July 10, 2019.
• McMullin, Thomas A. (1984). Biographical directory of American territorial governors. Westport, CT : Meckler. ISBN   978-0-930466-11-4 . Retrieved January 19, 2023.
• Kallenbach, Joseph Ernest (1977). American State Governors, 1776-1976. Oceana Publications. ISBN   978-0-379-00665-0 . Retrieved September 23, 2023.
• Dubin, Michael J. (2014). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1861-1911: The Official Results by State and County. McFarland. ISBN   978-0-7864-5646-8. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
• Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Meckler Books. ISBN   978-0-930466-17-6.
• "Our Campaigns - Governor of Colorado - History". www.ourcampaigns.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.

Constitutions

• "Constitution of the State of Colorado, as amended, annotated". Michie's Legal Resources. 1876. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
• "Constitution of the State of Colorado" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. 1876. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 29, 2008. Retrieved October 22, 2008.

Specific

1. "Memorandum" (PDF). Legislative Council Staff. January 3, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
2. CO Const. art IV
3. University of Colorado 1907, p. 71.
4. University of Colorado 1907, p. 68.
5. University of Colorado 1907, pp. 75–76.
6. Thirty-sixth United States Congress (February 28, 1861). "An Act to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Colorado" (PDF). State of Colorado, Department of Personnel and Administration, Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 23, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
7. McMullin 1984, pp. 65–67.
8. "William Gilpin". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
9. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 37th Cong., special sess., 324 Archived February 9, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 8, 2023.
10. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 37th Cong., special sess., 342 Archived February 9, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 8, 2023.
11. McGinnis, Ralph Y.; Calvin N. Smith (1994). Abraham Lincoln and the Western Territories. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 58. ISBN   0-8304-1247-6.
12. McMullin 1984, pp. 67–68.
13. "John Evans". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
14. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 37th Cong., 2nd sess., 169 Archived February 9, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 8, 2023.
15. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 37th Cong., 2nd sess., 191 Archived February 9, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 8, 2023.
16. "John Evans". Colorado Encyclopedia . Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
17. McMullin 1984, pp. 69–70.
18. "Alexander Cummings". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
19. Baker, James H. (1927). History of Colorado. Linderman Co., Inc. p. 502. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
20. "none". Alexandria Gazette. August 18, 1865. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023. General Alexander Cummings, of Philadelphia, has been appointed Governor and ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs of the Territory of Colorado.
21. The Territorial Papers of the United States: Volume I: General. United States Government Publishing Office. 1934. p. 6. Archived from the original on March 2, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
22. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 39th Cong., 1st sess., 306 Archived February 9, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 9, 2023.
23. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 39th Cong., 1st sess., 487 Archived February 9, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 9, 2023.
24. Hanchett, William (April 1957). ""His Turbulent Excellency," Alexander Cummings, Governor of Colorado Territory, 1865-1867" (PDF). The Colorado Magazine. XXXIV (2): 101–103. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
25. "Washington News". The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 9, 1867. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
26. McMullin 1984, pp. 70–72.
27. "Alexander Cameron Hunt". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
28. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 40th Cong., 1st sess., 851 Archived February 9, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 9, 2023.
29. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 40th Cong., 1st sess., 860 Archived February 9, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 9, 2023.
30. McMullin 1984, pp. 72–73.
31. "Edward Moody McCook". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
32. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 41st Cong., special sess., 182 Archived February 9, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 9, 2023.
33. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 41st Cong., special sess., 218–219 Archived February 9, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 9, 2023.
34. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 43rd Cong., special sess., 83 Archived February 10, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 10, 2023.
35. McMullin 1984, pp. 73–75.
36. "Samuel Hitt Elbert". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
37. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 43rd Cong., special sess., 90 Archived February 10, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 10, 2023.
38. "none". The Summit County Beacon. July 22, 1874. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023. [Elbert] claims to be legal Governor until formally relieved by his successor.
39. "none". The Daily Journal of Commerce. July 26, 1874. p. 3. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023. Gov. E. M. McCook, arrived at Denver via Denver Pacific, Friday morning.
40. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 43rd Cong., 1st sess., 233 Archived February 10, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 10, 2023.
41. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 43rd Cong., 1st sess., 360–361 Archived February 10, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 10, 2023.
42. "Washington". The Democratic Leader. June 27, 1874. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
43. U.S. Congress. Senate Exec. Journal. 43rd Cong., 2nd sess., 507–508 Archived February 10, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed February 10, 2023.
44. "Colorado". The St. Louis Republican. February 3, 1875. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
45. McMullin 1984, pp. 75–76.
46. "John Long Routt". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
47. "Local News". Lawrence Daily Journal. April 1, 1875. p. 3. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
48. "John Long Routt". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
49. CO Const. art IV, original section 1
50. "Ballot History". Colorado Legislature. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
51. "Ballot History". Colorado Legislature. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
52. CO Const. art IV, sec 13
53. CO Const. art IV, sec 13, paragraph 7
54. "Ballot History". Colorado Legislature. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2008.
55. CO Const. art IV, sec 1
56. Sobel 1978, p. 131.
57. "John Long Routt". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
58. "Colorado's Governor Inaugurated". Sioux City Journal. November 4, 1876. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
59. Kallenbach 1977, pp. 77–78.
60. Sobel 1978, pp. 131–132.
61. "Frederick Walker Pitkin". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
62. "Frederick W. Pitkin". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
63. "State Legislatures". The Omaha Herald. January 16, 1879. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
64. Sobel 1978, pp. 132–133.
65. "James Benton Grant". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
66. "James Benton Grant". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
67. Colo. General Assembly. Senate Journal. 1883 sess., 73 Archived August 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed August 2, 2023
68. Sobel 1978, p. 133.
69. "Benjamin Harrison Eaton". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
70. "Benjamin Harrison Eaton". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
71. Colo. General Assembly. Senate Journal. 1885 sess., 106, accessed August 2, 2023
72. Sobel 1978, pp. 133–134.
73. "Alva Adams". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
74. "Alva Adams". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
75. Colo. General Assembly. Senate Journal. 1887 sess., 186, accessed August 2, 2023
76. Sobel 1978, p. 134.
77. "Job Adams Cooper". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
78. "Job A. Cooper". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
79. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1889 sess., 92, accessed August 2, 2023
80. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1891 sess., 92, accessed August 2, 2023
81. Sobel 1978, p. 135.
82. "Davis Hanson Waite". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
83. "Davis H. Waite". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
84. "New Executive". The Lamar Register. January 14, 1893. p. 7. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
85. Kallenbach 1977, p. 80.
86. Sobel 1978, pp. 135–136.
87. "Albert Wills McIntire". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
88. "Albert W. McIntire". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
89. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1895 sess., 75 Archived August 2, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed August 2, 2023
90. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1897 sess., 109, accessed August 2, 2023
91. Sobel 1978, pp. 136–137.
92. "Charles Spalding Thomas". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
93. "Charles S. Thomas". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
94. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1899 sess., 65, accessed August 2, 2023
95. Sobel 1978, p. 137.
96. "James Bradley Orman". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
97. "James B. Orman". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
98. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1901 sess., 112 Archived August 4, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed August 2, 2023
99. "Lieutenant Governors of Colorado". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
100. "General Notes". The New York Times. July 13, 1902. p. 6. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
101. Sobel 1978, p. 138.
102. "James Hamilton Peabody". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
103. "James H. Peabody" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
104. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1903 sess., 95, accessed August 2, 2023
105. Powe, Lucas A. (1992). The Fourth Estate and the Constitution: Freedom of the Press in America. University of California Press. pp. 2–3. ISBN   9780520080386 . Retrieved December 14, 2018.
106. "none". The Idaho Springs Siftings-News. March 18, 1905. p. 4. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023. Three different governors within twenty-four hours is a record established by Colorado this week that will remain undisputed.
107. Goodspeed, Weston Arthur (1904). The Province and the States: Missouri, Kansas, Colorado. p. 481. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
108. "May Declare Martial Law". The New York Times. June 8, 1904. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
109. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1905 sess., 47 Archived August 3, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed August 2, 2023
110. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1905 sess., 1100 Archived August 4, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed August 2, 2023
111. Sobel 1978, pp. 138–139.
112. "Jesse Fuller McDonald". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
113. "Jesse Fuller McDonald" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
114. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1905 sess., 582 Archived August 3, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed August 2, 2023
115. Sobel 1978, pp. 139–140.
116. "Henry Augustus Buchtel". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
117. "Dr. Henry A. Buchtel" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
118. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1907 sess., 51 Archived August 3, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed August 2, 2023
119. Sobel 1978, p. 140.
120. "John Franklin Shafroth". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
121. "John F. Shafroth" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
122. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1909 sess., 65, accessed August 2, 2023
123. Sobel 1978, p. 141.
124. "Elias Milton Ammons". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
125. "Elias M. Ammons" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
126. "Governor Ammons Is Inaugurated". The Fort Collins Express and The Fort Collins Review. January 16, 1913. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
127. Sobel 1978, pp. 141–142.
128. "George Alfred Carlson". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
129. "George Alfred Carlson" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
130. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1915 sess., 77, accessed August 2, 2023
131. Sobel 1978, p. 142.
132. "Julius Caldeen Gunter". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
133. "Julius C. Gunter" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
134. "Gunter Takes Office Quietly". Eastern Colorado Times. January 11, 1917. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
135. Sobel 1978, p. 143.
136. "Oliver Henry Nelson Shoup". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
137. "Oliver H. Shoup" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
138. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1919 sess., 206, accessed August 2, 2023
139. Sobel 1978, pp. 143–144.
140. "William Ellery Sweet". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
141. "William E. Sweet" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
142. "Attendance at Inauguration Ceremony Largest in History of State; Program Impressive". The Fort Collins Express. January 10, 1923. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
143. Sobel 1978, p. 144.
144. "Clarence Morley". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
145. "Clarence Morley" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
146. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1925 sess., 105 Archived August 5, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed August 2, 2023
147. Sobel 1978, p. 145.
148. "William Herbert Adams". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
149. "William H. Adams" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
150. "William H. Adams Now Is Governor of Colorado". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Associated Press. January 11, 1927. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
151. Sobel 1978, pp. 145–146.
152. "Edwin Carl Johnson". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
153. "Edwin Johnson" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
154. Hershey, Colin Scott (January 10, 1933). "New Governor of Colorado". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Associated Press. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
155. Sobel 1978, p. 146.
156. "Raymond Herbert Talbot". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
157. "Raymond H. Talbot" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
158. "Colorado Has a New Governor". The Daily Sentinel. Associated Press. January 3, 1937. p. 14. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
159. Sobel 1978, p. 147.
160. "Teller Ammons". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
161. "Teller Ammons" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
162. "New Governor Takes Oath at Noon Tuesday". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Associated Press. January 12, 1937. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
163. Sobel 1978, pp. 147–148.
164. "Ralph Lawrence Carr". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
165. "Ralph L. Carr" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
166. Mickel, Merlin (January 10, 1939). "Hundreds of Persons Crowd Into State House Corridors". The Daily Sentinel. Associated Press. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
167. Sobel 1978, pp. 148–149.
168. "John Charles Vivian". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
169. "John Charles Vivian" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
170. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1943 sess., 103 Archived August 3, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed August 2, 2023
171. Sobel 1978, p. 149.
172. "William Lee Knous". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
173. "William Lee Knous" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
174. "Knous Takes Oath Shortly After Noon". The Daily Sentinel. Associated Press. January 14, 1947. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
175. Sobel 1978, pp. 149–150.
176. "Walter Walfred Johnson". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
177. "Walter Walford Johnson" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
178. "Walt Johnson Now Colorado's 32nd Governor". Greeley Daily Tribune. Associated Press. April 15, 1950. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
179. Sobel 1978, p. 150.
180. "Daniel Isaac J. Thornton". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
181. "Daniel I. J. Thornton" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
182. Colo. General Assembly. House Journal. 1951 sess., 112 Archived August 4, 2023, at the Wayback Machine , accessed August 2, 2023
183. Seymour, Hal (January 11, 1955). "Ed Johnson Takes Oath As Governor". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Associated Press. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
184. Sobel 1978, p. 151.
185. "Stephen Lucid Robert McNichols". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
186. "Stephen McNichols" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
187. Gauss, Gordon G. (January 8, 1957). "McNichols Urges Go-Slow Policy Pending Surveys". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Associated Press. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
188. Sobel 1978, pp. 151–152.
189. "John Arthur Love". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
190. "John A. Love" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
191. "Love Sworn, Pledges To Curb Government". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Associated Press. January 8, 1963. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
192. Sobel 1978, pp. 152–153.
193. "John D. Vanderhoof". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
194. "John Vanderhoof" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
195. "John Vanderhoof Becomes State's 37th Governor". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Associated Press. July 16, 1973. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
196. Sobel 1978, p. 153.
197. "Richard D. Lamm". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
198. Hilliard, Carl (January 14, 1975). "Black Legislators Walk Out on Lamm". Greeley Daily Tribune. Associated Press. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
199. "Roy Romer". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
200. "Romer Sworn In As New Governor". The Daily Sentinel. Associated Press. January 13, 1987. p. 1A. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
201. "Colo. Const. art. IV, § 1". Archived from the original on December 15, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
202. "Bill Owens". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
203. Cleary, C. Patrick (January 13, 1999). "Gov. Owens Takes the Reins". The Daily Sentinel. p. 1A. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
204. "Bill Ritter". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
205. "Colorado's Gov. Ritter Takes Over". The Daily Sentinel. Associated Press. January 10, 2007. p. 1A. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
206. Fender, Jessica (January 6, 2010). "Ritter ends re-election bid". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on December 24, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
207. "John Hickenlooper". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
208. Paulson, Steven K.; Wyatt, Kristen (January 12, 2011). "Hickenlooper Pledges To Work on Economy". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Associated Press. p. A1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
209. "Jared Polis". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
210. Garcia, Nic (January 8, 2019). "Jared Polis sworn in as Colorado governor: "This is a moment in history"". Denver Post. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.

External links

• Office of the Governor of Colorado Archived July 20, 2023, at the Wayback Machine

38°59′50″N105°32′52″W / 38.9972°N 105.5478°W / 38.9972; -105.5478 (State of Colorado)