State Symbols

A Colorado elementary school child’s wish to see the western painted turtle become the state reptile came one step closer to fruition yesterday, when the bill passed in the House. So far, Colorado lacks a state reptile (though we do have a dinosaur as our state fossil), but HB08-1017 would give Colorado the new state symbol. The bill will go to the Senate next.

Not counting the state reptile, which has yet to be officially designated, Colorado has fifteen state symbols: a state animal, bird, fish, flower, folk dance, fossil, gemstone, grass, insect, song (2), tartan, tree, mineral, and rock. Find out what each of these are at the Colorado State Archives’ State Symbols and Emblems page. This page gives background on each, as well as the story behind Colorado’s motto and state seal.