Colorado designated the claret cup cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) as the official state cactus in 2014 (also called kingcup cactus). This Act was passed thanks to the efforts of 4 girls from the Douglas County Girl Scout Troop 2518 in Castle Rock, Colorado. All State Plants
Excerpt from HOUSE BILL 14-1024:
(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
The first General Assembly of the State of Colorado approved the state seal in 1877. All State Seals
Only the Colorado Secretary of State is authorized to affix the Great Seal of Colorado to any document. The person primarily given credit for the design is Lewis Ledyard Weld, the Territorial Secretary appointed by President Lincoln in 1861 (possibly collaborating with Territorial Governor William Gilpin - both had knowledge of heraldry and symbolism).
The official state motto of Colorado is "Nil sine Numine" (Nothing without the Deity). All State Mottos
The Colorado state flag consists of three equally sized stripes; the outer stripes are the same color blue as the national flag, separated by a white center stripe. There is a large semi-circular "C" on the flag, which is the same shade of red as the U.S. national flag. In the opening of the letter "C" there is a gold disc. All State Flags
Aquamarine was recognized as the official state gemstone of Colorado in 1971. All State Gems & Gemstones
Yule marble was designated the official state rock of Colorado in 2004 after Girl Scout Troop 357 of Lakewood petitioned the Legislature. All State Rocks
This white marble is comprised of almost pure calcite grains tightly joined to give it a luminous quality. A marble deposit was reported in 1882 in Gunnison County on Yule Creek, although a producing quarry did not begin operations there until 1906.
Colorado is nicknamed "The Centennial State" because it became the 38th state of the United States in 1876 (one hundred years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence). All State Nicknames
Colorado designated the square dance as the state American Folk Dance in 1992. Twenty-two states have passed legislation to adopt the square dance as an official state dance. All State Dances
The Colorado District Tartan was officially recognized by Colorado's General Assembly in 1997. All State Tartans
The Colorado tartan is registered with the International Association of Tartan Studies. The following is condensed from Colorado House Resolution 97-1016:
Colorado is of Spanish origin, meaning "colored red." All State Name Origins
The name was applied to the Colorado river because of the red sandstone soil of the region, and came into use for the entire territory after the discovery of gold in the Pike's Peak region. In 1861 congress chose Colorado as the name for the Territory. In 1876 Colorado became the 38th state.