List of governors of Colorado

Governor of Colorado
Seal of the Executive Office
Incumbent
Jared Polis
since January 8, 2019
Government of Colorado
StyleThe Honorable
Type
ResidenceColorado Governor's Mansion
Term length
  • Four years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holderJohn Long Routt
FormationAugust 1, 1876
SuccessionLine of succession
DeputyLieutenant Governor of Colorado
Salary$90,000 (2022)
Websitewww.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. 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 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 Fuller 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. 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. 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.

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.

Governors of the Territory of Colorado
No. Governor Term in office Appointed by
1 William Gilpin
(1813–1894)
 March 25, 1861
–
March 26, 1862
(367 days; replaced)		 Abraham Lincoln
2 John Evans
(1814–1897)
 March 26, 1862
–
October 17, 1865
(1302 days; resigned)		 Abraham Lincoln
3 Alexander Cummings
(1810–1879)
 October 17, 1865
–
May 8, 1867
(569 days; resigned)		 Andrew Johnson
4 Alexander Cameron Hunt
(1825–1894)
 May 8, 1867
–
April 19, 1869
(713 days; replaced)		 Andrew Johnson
5 Edward M. McCook
(1833–1909)
 April 19, 1869
–
April 17, 1873
(1460 days; replaced)		 Ulysses S. Grant
6 Samuel Hitt Elbert
(1833–1899)
 April 17, 1873
–
June 19, 1874
(429 days; replaced)		 Ulysses S. Grant
7 Edward M. McCook
(1833–1909)
 June 19, 1874
–
February 8, 1875
(235 days; replaced)		 Ulysses S. Grant
8 John Long Routt
(1826–1907)
 February 8, 1875
–
November 3, 1876
(635 days;
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. An amendment passed in 1956, taking effect in 1959, increased terms to four years. Originally, there was no term limit applied to the governor; a 1990 amendment allowed governors to succeed themselves only once. 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. 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. The lieutenant governor was elected separately from the governor until a 1968 amendment to the constitution made it so that they are elected on the same ticket.

Governors of the State of Colorado
No. Governor Term in office Party Election Lt. Governor
1 John Long Routt
(1826–1907)
 November 3, 1876
–
January 14, 1879
(803 days; retired)		 Republican 1876 Lafayette Head
2 Frederick Walker Pitkin
(1837–1886)
 January 14, 1879
–
January 9, 1883
(1457 days; retired)		 Republican 1878 Horace Tabor
1880
3 James Benton Grant
(1848–1911)
 January 9, 1883
–
January 13, 1885
(736 days; retired)		 Democratic 1882 William H. Meyer
4 Benjamin Harrison Eaton
(1833–1904)
 January 13, 1885
–
January 11, 1887
(729 days; retired)		 Republican 1884 Peter W. Breene
5 Alva Adams
(1850–1922)
 January 11, 1887
–
January 8, 1889
(729 days; retired)		 Democratic 1886 Norman H. Meldrum
6 Job Adams Cooper
(1843–1899)
 January 8, 1889
–
January 13, 1891
(736 days; retired)		 Republican 1888 William Grover Smith
7 John Long Routt
(1826–1907)
 January 13, 1891
–
January 10, 1893
(729 days; retired)		 Republican 1890 William Story
8 Davis Hanson Waite
(1825–1901)
 January 10, 1893
–
January 8, 1895
(729 days; lost election)		 People's 1892 David H. Nichols
9 Albert McIntire
(1853–1935)
 January 8, 1895
–
January 12, 1897
(736 days; retired)		 Republican 1894 Jared L. Brush
10 Alva Adams
(1850–1922)
 January 12, 1897
–
January 10, 1899
(729 days; retired)		 Democratic 1896
11 Charles S. Thomas
(1849–1934)
 January 10, 1899
–
January 8, 1901
(729 days; retired)		 Democratic 1898 Francis Patrick Carney
12 James Bradley Orman
(1849–1919)
 January 8, 1901
–
January 13, 1903
(736 days; retired)		 Democratic 1900 David C. Coates
13 James Hamilton Peabody
(1852–1917)
 January 13, 1903
–
January 10, 1905
(729 days; lost election)		 Republican 1902 Warren A. Haggott
14 Alva Adams
(1850–1922)
 January 10, 1905
–
March 16, 1905
(66 days; lost election)		 Democratic 1904 Arthur Cornforth
15 James Hamilton Peabody
(1852–1917)
 March 16, 1905
–
March 17, 1905
(1 day; resigned)		 Republican Jesse Fuller McDonald
16 Jesse Fuller McDonald
(1858–1942)
 March 17, 1905
–
January 8, 1907
(663 days; retired)		 Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor		 Arthur Cornforth
(removed July 5, 1905)
Fred W. Parks
17 Henry Augustus Buchtel
(1847–1924)
 January 8, 1907
–
January 12, 1909
(736 days; retired)		 Republican 1906 Erastus Harper
18 John F. Shafroth
(1854–1922)
 January 12, 1909
–
January 14, 1913
(1464 days; retired)		 Democratic 1908 Stephen R. Fitzgarrald
1910
19 Elias M. Ammons
(1860–1925)
 January 14, 1913
–
January 12, 1915
(729 days; retired)		 Democratic 1912 Benjamin F. Montgomery
20 George Alfred Carlson
(1876–1926)
 January 12, 1915
–
January 9, 1917
(729 days; lost election)		 Republican 1914 Moses E. Lewis
21 Julius Caldeen Gunter
(1858–1940)
 January 9, 1917
–
January 14, 1919
(736 days;
lost nomination)		 Democratic 1916 James Pulliam
22 Oliver Henry Shoup
(1869–1940)
 January 14, 1919
–
January 9, 1923
(1457 days; retired)		 Republican 1918 George Stephan
1920 Earl Cooley
23 William Ellery Sweet
(1869–1942)
 January 9, 1923
–
January 13, 1925
(736 days; lost election)		 Democratic 1922 Robert F. Rockwell
24 Clarence Morley
(1869–1948)
 January 13, 1925
–
January 11, 1927
(729 days; retired)		 Republican 1924 Sterling Byrd Lacy
25 Billy Adams
(1861–1954)
 January 11, 1927
–
January 10, 1933
(2192 days; retired)		 Democratic 1926 George Milton Corlett
1928
1930 Edwin C. Johnson
26 Edwin C. Johnson
(1884–1970)
 January 10, 1933
–
January 2, 1937
(1454 days; resigned)		 Democratic 1932 Ray Herbert Talbot
1934
27 Ray Herbert Talbot
(1896–1955)
 January 2, 1937
–
January 12, 1937
(11 days; retired)		 Democratic Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor		 Vacant
28 Teller Ammons
(1895–1972)
 January 12, 1937
–
January 10, 1939
(729 days; lost election)		 Democratic 1936 Frank Hayes
29 Ralph Lawrence Carr
(1887–1950)
 January 10, 1939
–
January 12, 1943
(1464 days; retired)		 Republican 1938 John Charles Vivian
1940
30 John Charles Vivian
(1887–1964)
 January 12, 1943
–
January 14, 1947
(1464 days; retired)		 Republican 1942 William Eugene Higby
1944
31 William Lee Knous
(1889–1959)
 January 14, 1947
–
April 15, 1950
(1188 days; resigned)		 Democratic 1946 Homer Pearson
1948 Walter Walford Johnson
32 Walter Walford Johnson
(1904–1987)
 April 15, 1950
–
January 9, 1951
(270 days; lost election)		 Democratic Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor		 Charles P. Murphy
33 Daniel I. J. Thornton
(1911–1976)
 January 9, 1951
–
January 11, 1955
(1464 days; retired)		 Republican 1950 Gordon Allott
1952
34 Edwin C. Johnson
(1884–1970)
 January 11, 1955
–
January 8, 1957
(729 days; retired)		 Democratic 1954 Stephen McNichols
35 Stephen McNichols
(1914–1997)
 January 8, 1957
–
January 8, 1963
(2192 days; lost election)		 Democratic 1956 Frank L. Hays
1958 Robert Lee Knous
36 John A. Love
(1916–2002)
 January 8, 1963
–
July 16, 1973
(3843 days; resigned)		 Republican 1962
1966 Mark Anthony Hogan
1970 John D. Vanderhoof
37 John D. Vanderhoof
(1922–2013)
 July 16, 1973
–
January 14, 1975
(548 days; lost election)		 Republican Succeeded from
lieutenant
governor		 Ted L. Strickland
38 Richard Lamm
(1935–2021)
 January 14, 1975
–
January 13, 1987
(4383 days; retired)		 Democratic 1974 George L. Brown
1978 Nancy Dick
1982
39 Roy Romer
(b. 1928)
 January 13, 1987
–
January 12, 1999
(4383 days; term-limited)		 Democratic 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)
 January 12, 1999
–
January 9, 2007
(2920 days; term-limited)		 Republican 1998 Joe Rogers
2002 Jane Norton
41 Bill Ritter
(b. 1956)
 January 9, 2007
–
January 11, 2011
(1464 days; retired)		 Democratic 2006 Barbara O'Brien
42 John Hickenlooper
(b. 1952)
 January 11, 2011
–
January 8, 2019
(2920 days; term-limited)		 Democratic 2010 Joseph Garcia
(resigned May 12, 2016)
2014
Donna Lynne
43 Jared Polis
(b. 1975)
 January 8, 2019
–
Incumbent
(in office 2851 days)		 Democratic 2018 Dianne Primavera
2022

Timeline

See also

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, and confirmed by the Senate on March 25. He arrived in the territory on May 27; however, he was not formally sworn in until July 8, after the territorial courts were set up.
  3. ↑ Gilpin was removed from office for improper financial drafts from the federal treasury.
  4. ↑ Evans was nominated on March 18, 1862, and confirmed by the Senate on March 26. He was sworn in as governor in Washington, D.C., on April 11, and arrived in the territory on May 16.
  5. ↑ Evans resigned at the request of President Andrew Johnson on July 18, 1865, following the Sand Creek massacre.
  6. ↑ It is ambiguous exactly when Evans resigned and Cummings was appointed. Secretary of State William H. Seward requested Evans' resignation on July 18, 1865, and Evans submitted it on September 4. Modern sources say Cummings was appointed on October 17, during a Senate recess, and sworn in to office on October 21; however, contemporary news reported on his appointment as early as August 18, and other major sources say he was appointed on August 8. He was formally nominated on December 19, and confirmed by the Senate on January 26, 1866.
  7. ↑ Cummings resigned after being accused of misappropriating funds; despite being cleared of wrongdoing, his political career in the territory had been ruined. Sources vary on when he resigned; modern sources almost all say April 1867, but the best contemporary sources found say he tendered his resignation on May 8, the same day his successor was appointed.
  8. ↑ Hunt was appointed on May 8, 1867, during a Senate recess; nominated on July 20; and confirmed by the Senate on November 29.
  9. ↑ McCook was nominated on April 15, 1869, confirmed by the Senate on April 19, and took office on June 15.
  10. ↑ Sources vary on why McCook left office. Grant's nomination of his successor specified that McCook declined reappointment; the Colorado State Archives say locals petitioned for his removal; and McMullin says Grant refused to reappoint him.
  11. ↑ Elbert was nominated on March 19, 1873, and confirmed by the Senate on March 20, for a term to begin April 17.
  12. ↑ Most sources do not specify when Elbert left office. According to news dated July 22, 1874, he was still claiming to be governor, and that his successor likely arrived in the territory on July 24.
  13. ↑ McCook was nominated on January 28, 1874, and confirmed by the Senate on June 19. He was sworn in out of state on June 26, and took office in the territory probably on July 26.
  14. ↑ Grant's appointment of McCook's successor specified that McCook resigned; contemporary news reports say that he was asked to resign, but refused.
  15. ↑ Routt was nominated and confirmed by the Senate on February 8, 1875, and took office on March 29.
  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, but it is unknown which of the two Senate races that year he was running in.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Represented the Republican Party
  19. ↑ Kallenbach labels Waite as a Populist and Silver Democrat.
  20. ↑ Thomas was a Democrat, but he has been described as a fusion candidate, as he also had support from the People's Party.
  21. ↑ Represented the Populist Party
  22. ↑ Orman was a Democrat, and was also nominated by the People's Party.
  23. ↑ The Colorado State Archives labels Coates a Democrat; 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.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 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.
  25. ↑ The Colorado State Archives says Haggott served from 1902 to 1903; however, multiple sources say he served with Peabody well into 1904.
  26. 1 2 3 Represented the Democratic Party
  27. ↑ Shafroth was instead elected to the United States Senate.
  28. ↑ Johnson resigned, having been elected to the United States Senate.
  29. ↑ Carr instead ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate.
  30. ↑ Knous resigned, having been confirmed to the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.
  31. ↑ First term under a 1956 constitutional amendment, which lengthened terms to four years.
  32. ↑ Love resigned, having been appointed Director of the Office of Energy Policy.
  33. 1 2 3 Under a 1990 amendment to the constitution, governors may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
  34. ↑ Polis' second term began on January 10, 2023, and will expire on January 12, 2027; he will be term-limited.

References

  1. ↑ "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries". Council of State Governments. Archived from the original on September 29, 2026. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  2. ↑ Colo. 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. ↑ 12 Stat. 172
  7. ↑ McMullin 1984, pp. 65–67.
  8. 1 2 "William Gilpin". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  9. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 37th Cong., special sess. p. 324 – via HathiTrust.
  10. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 37th Cong., special sess. p. 342 – via HathiTrust.
  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, p. 66.
  13. ↑ McMullin 1984, pp. 67–68.
  14. ↑ "John Evans". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  15. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 37th Cong., 2nd sess. p. 169 – via HathiTrust.
  16. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 37th Cong., 2nd sess. p. 191 – via HathiTrust.
  17. ↑ "John Evans". Colorado Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  18. 1 2 McMullin 1984, p. 68.
  19. ↑ McMullin 1984, pp. 69–70.
  20. 1 2 "Alexander Cummings". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  21. ↑ Baker, James H. (1927). History of Colorado. Linderman Co., Inc. p. 502 – via Google Books.
  22. ↑ McMullin 1984, p. 69.
  23. ↑ "News by To-Day's Mail". Alexandria Gazette. August 18, 1865. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. General Alexander Cummings, of Philadelphia, has been appointed Governor and ex officio superintendent of Indian affairs of the Territory of Colorado.
  24. ↑ The Territorial Papers of the United States: Volume I: General. United States Government Publishing Office. 1934. p. 6 – via Google Books.
  25. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 39th Cong., 1st sess. p. 306 – via HathiTrust.
  26. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 39th Cong., 1st sess. p. 487 – via HathiTrust.
  27. ↑ 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 October 14, 2026.
  28. ↑ McMullin 1984, p. 70.
  29. 1 2 "Washington News". The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 9, 1867. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ McMullin 1984, pp. 70–72.
  31. ↑ "Alexander Cameron Hunt". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  32. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 40th Cong., 1st sess. p. 851 – via HathiTrust.
  33. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 40th Cong., 1st sess. p. 860 – via HathiTrust.
  34. 1 2 McMullin 1984, pp. 72–73.
  35. 1 2 3 "Edward Moody McCook". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  36. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 41st Cong., special sess. p. 182 – via HathiTrust.
  37. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 41st Cong., special sess. p. 219 – via HathiTrust.
  38. ↑ McMullin 1984, p. 72.
  39. 1 2 3 United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 43rd Cong., special sess. p. 83 – via HathiTrust.
  40. ↑ McMullin 1984, p. 73.
  41. ↑ McMullin 1984, pp. 73–75.
  42. ↑ "Samuel Hitt Elbert". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  43. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 43rd Cong., special sess. p. 90 – via HathiTrust.
  44. ↑ "none". Summit County Beacon. July 2, 1874. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. [Elbert] claims to be legal Governor until formally relieved by his successor.
  45. 1 2 "none". Kansas City Journal of Commerce. July 26, 1874. p. 3. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Gov. E. M. McCook, arrived at Denver via Denver Pacific, Friday morning.
  46. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 43rd Cong., 1st sess. p. 233 – via HathiTrust.
  47. ↑ United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 43rd Cong., 1st sess. pp. 360–361 – via HathiTrust.
  48. ↑ Written at Washington, D.C.. "Washington". Cheyenne Daily Leader. Cheyenne, Wyoming (published June 27, 1874). June 26, 1874. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. 1 2 United States Senate. Senate Executive Journal, 43rd Cong., 2nd sess. p. 508 – via HathiTrust.
  50. ↑ "Colorado". St. Louis Republican. February 3, 1875. p. 1. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ↑ McMullin 1984, pp. 75–76.
  52. 1 2 3 4 "John Long Routt". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  53. ↑ McMullin 1984, p. 75.
  54. ↑ "Local News". Republican Journal and Daily Kansas Tribune. April 1, 1875. p. 3. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  55. ↑ Thorpe 1909, p. 478, 1876 art. IV, § 1.
  56. 1 2 "Citizens Okay Changes In Pension Plan". The Pueblo Chieftain. United Press. November 8, 1956. p. 6. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  57. ↑ McAvoy, Tom (November 10, 1990). Written at Denver. "New law will change faces of legislature". The Pueblo Chieftain. Pueblo, Colorado. p. 1. Retrieved October 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  58. ↑ Colo. Const., art. IV, § 13.
  59. ↑ "Two Amendments Approved by State Voters". The Gazette-Telegraph. November 6, 1968. p. 1. Retrieved October 13, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  60. ↑ Colo. Const., art. IV, § 3.
  61. 1 2 Sobel 1978, p. 131.
  62. 1 2 "John Long Routt". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  63. ↑ Written at Denver. "Colorado's Governor Inaugurated". Sioux City Daily Journal. Sioux City, Iowa (published November 4, 1876). November 3, 1876. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  64. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kallenbach 1977, p. 77.
  65. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 131–132.
  66. ↑ "Frederick Walker Pitkin". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  67. ↑ "Frederick W. Pitkin". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  68. ↑ Written at Denver. "State Legislatures". Omaha Herald. Omaha, Nebraska (published January 16, 1879). January 15, 1879. p. 5. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  69. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 132.
  70. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 132–133.
  71. ↑ "James Benton Grant". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  72. ↑ "James Benton Grant". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  73. ↑ Colorado Senate. Senate Journal of the General Assembly, 1883 sess. p. 73 – via HathiTrust.
  74. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 133.
  75. ↑ "Benjamin Harrison Eaton". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  76. ↑ "Benjamin Harrison Eaton". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  77. ↑ Colorado Senate. Senate Journal of the General Assembly, 1885 sess. p. 106 – via HathiTrust.
  78. 1 2 3 Sobel 1978, pp. 133–134.
  79. 1 2 3 "Alva Adams". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  80. 1 2 3 "Alva Adams". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  81. ↑ Colorado Senate. Senate Journal of the General Assembly, 1887 sess. p. 186 – via HathiTrust.
  82. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 134.
  83. ↑ "Job Adams Cooper". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  84. ↑ "Job A. Cooper". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  85. ↑ Colorado Senate. Senate Journal of the General Assembly, 1889 sess. p. 75 – via HathiTrust.
  86. ↑ Colorado Senate. Senate Journal of the General Assembly, 1891 sess. p. 102 – via HathiTrust.
  87. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 135.
  88. ↑ "Davis Hanson Waite". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  89. ↑ "Davis H. Waite". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  90. ↑ "New Executive". Lamar Register. January 14, 1893. p. 7. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  91. ↑ Kallenbach 1977, p. 80.
  92. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 135–136.
  93. ↑ "Albert Wills McIntire". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  94. ↑ "Albert W. McIntire". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  95. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1895 sess. p. 75 – via HathiTrust.
  96. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Kallenbach 1977, p. 78.
  97. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1897 sess. p. 109 – via HathiTrust.
  98. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 136–137.
  99. ↑ "Charles Spalding Thomas". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  100. 1 2 "Charles S. Thomas". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  101. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1899 sess. p. 70 – via HathiTrust.
  102. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 136.
  103. 1 2 Sobel 1978, p. 137.
  104. ↑ "James Bradley Orman". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  105. ↑ "James B. Orman". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  106. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1901 sess. p. 112 – via HathiTrust.
  107. ↑ "Lieutenant Governors of Colorado". Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  108. ↑ "General Notes". The New York Times. July 13, 1902. p. 6. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  109. 1 2 Sobel 1978, p. 138.
  110. 1 2 "James Hamilton Peabody". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  111. 1 2 "James H. Peabody" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  112. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1903 sess. p. 95 – via HathiTrust.
  113. ↑ 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 – via Google Books.
  114. ↑ "none". Idaho Springs Siftings. March 18, 1905. p. 4. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Three different governors within twenty-four hours is a record established by Colorado this week that will remain undisputed.
  115. ↑ Goodspeed, Weston Arthur (1904). The Province and the States: Missouri, Kansas, Colorado. p. 481 – via Google Books.
  116. ↑ Written at Denver. "May Declare Martial Law". The New York Times. New York City (published June 8, 1904). June 7, 1904. p. 2. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  117. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1905 sess. p. 47 – via HathiTrust.
  118. ↑ Colorado General Assembly (1905). Journal of the Fifteenth General Assembly of the State of Colorado in Joint Session: Contest for the Office of Governor. p. 424. hdl:11629/co:33903.
  119. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 138–139.
  120. ↑ "Jesse Fuller McDonald". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  121. ↑ "Jesse Fuller McDonald" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  122. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1905 sess. p. 582 – via HathiTrust.
  123. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 139–140.
  124. ↑ "Henry Augustus Buchtel". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  125. ↑ "Dr. Henry A. Buchtel" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  126. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1907 sess. p. 51 – via HathiTrust.
  127. 1 2 Sobel 1978, p. 140.
  128. ↑ "John Franklin Shafroth". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  129. ↑ "John F. Shafroth" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  130. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1909 sess. p. 65 – via HathiTrust.
  131. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 141.
  132. ↑ "Elias Milton Ammons". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  133. ↑ "Elias M. Ammons" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  134. ↑ Written at Denver. "Governor Ammons Is Inaugurated". Fort Collins Weekly Express. Fort Collins, Colorado (published January 16, 1913). January 14, 1913. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  135. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 141–142.
  136. ↑ "George Alfred Carlson". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  137. ↑ "George Alfred Carlson" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  138. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1915 sess. p. 77 – via HathiTrust.
  139. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 142.
  140. ↑ "Julius Caldeen Gunter". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  141. ↑ "Julius C. Gunter" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  142. ↑ Written at Denver. "Gunter Takes Office Quietly". Cheyenne Record. Cheyenne Wells, Colorado (published January 11, 1917). January 9, 1917. p. 3. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  143. ↑ Written at Denver. "Result of Primaries". Idaho Springs Siftings-News. Idaho Springs, Colorado. October 4, 1918. p. 3. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  144. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 143.
  145. ↑ "Oliver Henry Nelson Shoup". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  146. ↑ "Oliver H. Shoup" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  147. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1919 sess. p. 206 – via HathiTrust.
  148. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 143–144.
  149. ↑ "William Ellery Sweet". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  150. ↑ "William E. Sweet" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  151. ↑ Written at Denver. "Attendance at Inauguration Ceremony Largest in History of State; Program Impressive". Fort Collins Express. Fort Collins, Colorado (published January 10, 1923). January 9, 1923. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  152. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 144.
  153. ↑ "Clarence Morley". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  154. ↑ "Clarence Morley" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  155. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1925 sess. p. 105 – via HathiTrust.
  156. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 145.
  157. ↑ "William Herbert Adams". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  158. ↑ "William H. Adams" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  159. ↑ Written at Denver. "William H. Adams Now Is Governor of Colorado". Fort Collins Express-Courier. Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. January 11, 1927. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  160. 1 2 Sobel 1978, pp. 145–146.
  161. 1 2 3 "Edwin Carl Johnson". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  162. 1 2 "Edwin Johnson" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  163. ↑ Hershey, Colin Scott (January 10, 1933). Written at Denver. "New Governor of Colorado". Fort Collins Express-Courier. Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  164. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 146.
  165. ↑ "Raymond Herbert Talbot". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  166. ↑ "Raymond H. Talbot" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  167. ↑ Written at Denver. "Colorado Has a New Governor". The Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado (published January 3, 1937). Associated Press. January 2, 1937. p. 14. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  168. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 147.
  169. ↑ "Teller Ammons". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  170. ↑ "Teller Ammons" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  171. ↑ Written at Denver. "New Governor Takes Oath at Noon Tuesday". Fort Collins Express-Courier. Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. January 12, 1937. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  172. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 147–148.
  173. ↑ "Ralph Lawrence Carr". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  174. ↑ "Ralph L. Carr" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  175. ↑ Mickel, Merlin (January 10, 1939). Written at Denver. "Hundreds of Persons Crowd Into State House Corridors". The Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  176. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 148–149.
  177. ↑ "John Charles Vivian". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  178. ↑ "John Charles Vivian" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  179. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1943 sess. p. 103 – via HathiTrust.
  180. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 149.
  181. 1 2 "William Lee Knous". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  182. ↑ "William Lee Knous" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  183. ↑ Written at Denver. "Knous Takes Oath Shortly After Noon". The Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. January 14, 1947. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  184. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 149–150.
  185. ↑ "Walter Walfred Johnson". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  186. ↑ "Walter Walford Johnson" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  187. ↑ Written at Denver. "Walt Johnson Now Colorado's 32nd Governor". Greeley Daily Tribune. Greeley, Colorado. Associated Press. April 15, 1950. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  188. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 150.
  189. ↑ "Daniel Isaac J. Thornton". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  190. ↑ "Daniel I. J. Thornton" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  191. ↑ Colorado House of Representatives. House Journal of the General Assembly, 1951 sess. p. 112 – via HathiTrust.
  192. ↑ Seymour, Hal (January 11, 1955). Written at Denver. "Ed Johnson Takes Oath As Governor". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  193. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 151.
  194. ↑ "Stephen Lucid Robert McNichols". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  195. ↑ "Stephen McNichols" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  196. ↑ Gauss, Gordon G. (January 8, 1957). Written at Denver. "McNichols Urges Go-Slow Policy Pending Surveys". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  197. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 151–152.
  198. 1 2 "John Arthur Love". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  199. ↑ "John A. Love" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  200. ↑ Written at Denver. "Love Sworn, Pledges To Curb Government". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. January 8, 1963. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  201. ↑ Sobel 1978, pp. 152–153.
  202. ↑ "John D. Vanderhoof". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  203. ↑ "John Vanderhoof" (PDF). Colorado State Archives. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  204. ↑ Written at Denver. "John Vanderhoof Becomes State's 37th Governor". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. July 16, 1973. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  205. ↑ Sobel 1978, p. 153.
  206. ↑ "Richard D. Lamm". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  207. ↑ Hilliard, Carl (January 14, 1975). Written at Denver. "Black Legislators Walk Out on Lamm". Greeley Tribune. Greeley, Colorado. Associated Press. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  208. ↑ Mullaney 1994, pp. 57–60.
  209. 1 2 "Roy Romer". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  210. ↑ Written at Denver. "Romer Sworn In As New Governor". The Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. January 13, 1987. p. 1A. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  211. ↑ Colo. Const., art. IV, § 1.
  212. 1 2 "Bill Owens". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  213. ↑ Cleary, C. Patrick (January 13, 1999). Written at Denver. "Gov. Owens Takes the Reins". The Daily Sentinel. Fort Collins, Colorado. p. 1A. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  214. 1 2 "Bill Ritter". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  215. ↑ Written at Denver. "Colorado's Gov. Ritter Takes Over". The Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado. Associated Press. January 10, 2007. p. 1A. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  216. 1 2 "John Hickenlooper". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  217. ↑ Paulson, Steven K.; Wyatt, Kristen (January 12, 2011). Written at Denver. "Hickenlooper Pledges To Work on Economy". Fort Collins Coloradoan. Fort Collins, Colorado. Associated Press. p. A1. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  218. 1 2 "Jared Polis". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  219. ↑ Garcia, Nic (January 8, 2019). "Jared Polis sworn in as Colorado governor: "This is a moment in history"". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
  220. ↑ Cooke, Kyle (January 10, 2023). "Gov. Polis, Colorado state leaders sworn into office during 2023 inauguration". Rocky Mountain PBS. Archived from the original on January 10, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2026.

Bibliography

38°59′50″N 105°32′52″W / 38.9972°N 105.5478°W / 38.9972; -105.5478 (State of Colorado)