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Blog Entry 46 of 102 A Journalist's Musings
As a journalist, I don't often have the opportunity to share my opinion. So I thought I'd come over here and share my point of view on matters affecting our community and the state. I'm not afraid to take a stand, and I welcome the conversation that will follow if you tell me your point of view!

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~CastlewoodRanchCouncilman

Happy Colorado Day!
Contributed by: Hank Lacey   on 8/1/2007

Wednesday marks the 131st birthday of the Centennial State. Colorado was admitted to the union August 1, 1876. Since then she has become known far and wide for her "purple mountain majesty," roaring rivers and fruited plains.

But the road to statehood was neither easy nor quick.

Denverites formed the independent county of Arapahoe within the Kansas Territory in 1858, then almost immediately set out to write a state constitution. In April 1859 the first constitutional convention convened on Blake Street in Denver and, while the product of those meetings was rejected, Congress was persuaded to create the Colorado Territory in February 1861.

Territorial delegate Hiram B. Bennet introduced a statehood bill in the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 5, 1863, but it took another constitutional convention, a defeat of the second try at a state constitution by the territory's voters, and yet a third draft of a state constitution vetoed by President Andrew Johnson before Congress would finally pass a statehood enabling act in March 1875.

In December 1875 Coloradan delegates gathered for the territory's fourth constitutional convention. On March 14, 1876 the state constitution was adopted by the convention and, on July 1, 1876, was ratified by the people of the Colorado territory. President Grant, one week after the new constitution arrived in Washington, D.C., signed the proclamation admitting Colorado as the nation's 38th state.

Colorado Day is as much about the constitution that made admission to the union possible as it is about the anniversary of statehood.

The delegates to the constitutional convention that wrote the document that finally led to statehood was an interesting bunch. There were 39 men gathered to develop the future state's charter and some of them crossed the Rocky Mountains to get to the Odd Fellow Hall in Denver. They met for 87 days and deliberated carefully about such topics as the control of corporations, the disposition of public waters and land, the forming and maintaining of a public school system, taxation of property,and women'ssuffrage.

In the end, the Colorado Constitution became one of the nation's most progressive state charters. Written during the years immediately following the Civil War and reconstruction, the document begins with a Bill of RIghts that guarantees all the rights set forth under the United States Constitution plus additional civil rights.

It thenfixes the terms and duties of government officials and the ways in which laws can be introduced in and passed by the General Assembly.

It established the state supreme court, district courts and county courts, established and provided for the supervision and maintenance of public schools, and mandated that a state census be taken in 1885 and every ten years afterward. It designated the elimination of dormant corporations, regulated the railroadsand set up a system for state tax.

When submitted to the citizens of the Colorado Territory for approval, the new charter gained 15,443 votes in favor out of 19,505 cast.

You can see a PDF of the original 1876 Colorado Constitution at http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/constitution/1876.pdf. You'll immediately notice how relatively simple the original version was compared to the heavily amended constitution that governs us today. As former state attorney general Gail Norton has written:

"Did you know that the Constitution prohibits nuclear detonations in the state? [Article XXVI.] Or that planting a hedge on your property will not increase the property tax? [Article XVIII section 7.] Did you realize the Constitution gives you a right-of-way across public and private lands to build ditches and flumes? [Article XVI section 7.]"

Despite the rather curious variety of amendments adopted over the years, our state constitution is actually a window into history. As Ms. Norton explains:

"Our early mining and farming heritage carries forward in today's treatment of water rights. [Article XVI sections 5-6.] The authors required proper ventilation of mines, and hibited the employment of children under 12 years old in mines. [Article XVI section 2.] Several provisions prohibit entanglements between government and private parties, like the kind that led to abuses by railroad "Robber Barons" as settlement moved westward. The last vestiges of Prohibition were expelled by Article XXII, passed in 1932. An old age pension fund was created during the Depression. [Article XXIV.] An amendment killing the 1976 Winter Olympics was deleted after serving its purpose. [formerly Article XI section 10.]"

Truly, Colorado Day is an occasion to celebrate our heritage and our history. Take advantage of the chance to do that by visiting the Colorado History Museum in Denver between 10 am - 4:30 pm Wednesday. Admission is free! There will also be events at the State Capitol.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Hank Lacey

Castle Rock , CO

Hank Lacey has posted 102 blog entries and 8 comments since joining on 5/31/2007. Hank Lacey 's average blog rating is 4.98.
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