Colorado 150th Anniversary

HOUSE RESOLUTION 26-1007

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Luck and Bacon, Barron, Boesenecker, Bottoms, Bradfield, Bradley, Brooks, Brown, Caldwell, Camacho, Clifford, DeGraaf, Duran, Espenoza, Feret, Flanell, Froelich, Garcia, Garcia Sander, Gilchrist, Goldstein, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Hartsook, Johnson, Joseph, Keltie, Lieder, Lindsay, Lukens, Mabrey, Marshall, Martinez, Mauro, McCormick, Nguyen, Paschal, Phillips, Richardson, Ricks, Rutinel, Rydin, Sirota, Slaugh, Smith, Soper, Stewart K., Stewart R., Story, Suckla, Taggart, Titone, Valdez, Velasco, Weinberg, Willford, Winter T., Woodrow, Woog, Zokaie, McCluskie.

CONCERNING COLORADO'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY.

WHEREAS, Amid America's anniversary era, aspiring agriculturalists across altitude-blessed valleys advanced abundant apples, apricots, and award-winning agriculture that amplified Colorado's acclaim; and WHEREAS, Blessed by broad basins, blue skies, and bold builders, Colorado became a beacon for brave pioneers and bustling businesses, while bestowing on our nation the patriotic song "America the Beautiful", inspired by Pikes Peak; and WHEREAS, Courageous Coloradans cultivated communities characterized by cooperation, constitutional commitment, civic liberty, and comity, championing suffrage for all; and WHEREAS, Diverse districts stretching from the dramatic foothills of Longs Peak to the dynamic Dolores River demonstrated the depth and diversity of Colorado's land and livelihoods; and WHEREAS, Enterprising entrepreneurs established an exceptional economic environment, earning exalted honors at international expositions, such as the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair; and

WHEREAS, Faithful followers established Colorado's oldest missions in the San Luis Valley and founded flourishing fellowships, full of freedom, fortitude, and forgiveness, throughout the state; and WHEREAS, Grand geographic gifts, including the Grand Mesa and the great red rock gateways of the Colorado National Monument, grant generations inspiration and grandeur; and WHEREAS, Hardworking, honest, and heartland-minded residents of rural Colorado honor heritage, home, and hope for future generations, as well as the sacrifice of Congressional Medal of Honor recipients who are housed in Pueblo's "Home of Heroes"; and WHEREAS, Immigrants and natives alike inspire innovation, industry, and ingenuity-from irrigation to aerospace initiatives, and from construction to culture-illustrating Colorado's influential identity; and WHEREAS, Justly judging history, Colorado stalwartly jilted the injustice of Japanese American internment and joined the Japanese and non-Japanese in jubilant unions, while also joyfully preserving Johnstown's meteorite in Denver's Museum of Nature and Science; and WHEREAS, Known for keystone military installations and knowledge, Colorado keeps watch over our nation through courageous service members and their kin; and WHEREAS, Local leaders in Larkspur, Lyons, and Larimer Square lift lively communities and lasting legacies across the state; and WHEREAS, The Manitou Incline and Mount Blue Sky are only two of the mountainous opportunities made available to Colorado's many meanderers, who used to be greeted by the Mizpah Arch; and WHEREAS, Native tribes, like the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Southern Ute, and Ute Mountain Ute, nurture heritage in nature, needlework, and oral tradition; and WHEREAS, Ongoing observations of Orthohantavirus and other outbreaks obligate officials to promote awareness, action, and adaptive health measures; and

WHEREAS, The Preamble to the Colorado Constitution, penned in three tongues, honors the profound Judea-Christian roots that have guided Colorado's history and values, promoting the preciousness of people no matter their personality, stating: "We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, in order to form a more independent and perfect government; establish justice; insure tranquillity; provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare and secure the blessings ofliberty to ourselves and our posterity ... "; and WHEREAS, Communities, like the Queen City of the Plains, have been quilted together over time, cherishing quiet quarters, quintessential festivals, and quick Colorado-based food like Qdoba, Quiznos, and Jack Quinn's; and WHEREAS, Rivers, reservoirs, and rugged rangelands reinforce recreation,.resources that include rhodochrosite, and resilient rural life, including rodeo as a recognized and revered summer sport, while the raking Rockies, radiant Rapids, roaring Broncos, resounding Nuggets, rising Summit, and relentless Avalanche reinforce Colorado's rich and rousing sports tradition; and WHEREAS, Strong schools, small shops, such as those in Stanley Market, and service-minded citizens, like the Scots who started the St. Andrew Society of Colorado, strengthen Colorado's social success; and WHEREAS, Trails, towns, treasured traditions, and even tourist trains tell the timeless story of Colorado, as do Allen Tupper True's paintings; and WHEREAS, Unique Colorado universities offer unforgettable experiences and unite generations around sports, science, and studies; and WHEREAS, Vibrant valleys volunteer to vault lark buntings, columbines, claret cup cacti, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep; and WHEREAS, When Colorado water wanders through the wilderness and down the Continental Divide, it widens the opportunity for Western expansion in Colorado and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Xenial hospitality-extraordinary kindness extended to explorers, expats, and excited newcomers-expresses the generous character of Coloradans; and WHEREAS, Year after year, youthful yearning and yielding innovation yoke generations together while affirming the importance of preparedness in uncertain times; and WHEREAS, Zealous defense of fundamental freedoms, along with foundational principles rooted in faith, freedom, and enduring moral tradition, underscores Colorado's commitment to liberty as it celebrates one hundred fifty years of statehood; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-fifth Genera/Assembly of the State of Colorado: ( 1) That we honor the generations of Coloradans whose courage, industry, faith, and devotion to self-government transformed a rugged frontier into a thriving state and whose example continues to inspire the preservation of freedom for future generations; (2) That, as symbolized by our famous, towering, fourteen-thousand-foot peaks, the people of Colorado are encouraged to continue striving toward the highest ideals of freedom, responsibility, and civic virtue; (3) That we call upon all citizens of Colorado to commemorate this historic milestone with gratitude for the blessings of liberty, humility before Providence, and renewed dedication to the principles that have guided the state since its founding in 1876; and (4) That we commit to preserving Colorado for future generations by, among other things, protecting our natural resources, including pollinators, promoting Colorado history and civic education, strengthening infrastructure to protect against future threats or emergencies, and encouraging the making of another one hundred fifty years of colorful Colorado history.

Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this House Resolution be sent to President Donald J. Trump; United States Representatives DeGette, Neguse, Hurd, Boebert, Crank, Crow, Pettersen, and Evans; United States Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper; Governor Jared Polis; History Colorado; and the Colorado State Archives.

Julie McCluskie SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Vanessa Reilly CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES