COLORADO

State of Colorado

ORIGIN OF STATE NAME: From the Spanish word colorado, meaning red or reddish brown. NICKNAME: The Centennial State. CAPITAL: Denver. ENTERED UNION: 1 August 1876 (38th). SONG: "Where the Columbines Grow." MOTTO: Nil sine numine (Nothing without providence). COAT OF ARMS: The upper portion of a heraldic shield shows three snow-capped mountains surrounded by clouds; the lower portion has a miner's pick and shovel, crossed. Above the shield are an eye of God and a Roman fasces, symbolizing the republican form of government; the state motto is below. FLAG: Superimposed on three equal horizontal hands of blue, white, and blue is a large red "C" encircling a golden disk. OFFICIAL SEAL: The coat of arms surrounded by the words "State of Colorado 1876." ANIMAL: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. BIRD: Lark bunting. FLOWER: Columbine. TREE: Blue spruce. GEM: Aquamarine. FOSSIL: Stegasaurus. LEGAL HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, 1 January; Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., 3rd Monday in January; Lincoln's Birthday, 12 February; Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February; Memorial Day, last Monday in May; Independence Day, 4 July; Colorado Day, 1st Monday in August; Labor Day, 1st Monday in September; Columbus Day, 2nd Monday in October; Election Day, 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years; Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November; Christmas Day, 25 December. TIME: 5 AM MST = noon GMT.