Flag of Colorado
stateThe flag of Colorado was adopted on June 5, 1911. Three horizontal bands with a red C encircling a golden disc. It uses 4 colours: blue, white, red and gold. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Colorado |
|---|---|
| Country | Colorado |
| Official Country Name | State of Colorado |
| Continent | North America |
| Region | United States |
| ISO Country Code | US-CO |
| Internet Domain | .us |
| Calling Code | +1 |
| Currency | United States dollar (USD) |
| National Language(s) | English |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Colorado |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | June 5, 1911 |
| Current Version Adopted | June 5, 1911 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 4 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White, Red, Gold |
| Design Type | Three horizontal bands with a red C encircling a golden disc |
| Official Status | Official State Flag |
| Government Authority | State Government of Colorado |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #002868 | 0, 40, 104 | 100, 62, 0, 59 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #BF0A30 | 191, 10, 48 | 0, 95, 75, 25 | |
| Gold | #FFD700 | 255, 215, 0 | 0, 16, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the blue skies |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the snow-capped mountains |
| Red colour | Represents the ruddy earth, from the Spanish word colorado |
| Gold colour | Represents the abundant sunshine |
| Letter C | For Colorado, and for the state’s columbine flower, silver and gold |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1911-06-05 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Colorado Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Colorado
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 115 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | June 5, 1911 |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Similar Flags | Argentina, Cambodia, Croatia |
| Unique Feature | Three horizontal bands with a red C encircling a golden disc |
Other horizontal tricolour with a central emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Colorado
- The C stands for the state name, for the Spanish word colorado meaning ruddy or coloured red, and encircles a gold disc for the state's exceptional number of sunny days.
- The original 1911 law did not specify the size or position of the C, and it was redrawn twice — in 1929 and 1964 — before the design settled.
- It is one of the few US state flags with no lettering and no seal, and consistently ranks among the best-regarded in design surveys.
- The flag of Colorado was officially adopted on June 5, 1911.
- The flag in its present form is 115 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Three horizontal bands with a red C encircling a golden disc.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 83 national flags.
- The flag uses 4 colours: blue, white, red and gold.
- The blue on the flag stands for the blue skies.
- The white on the flag stands for the snow-capped mountains.
- The red on the flag stands for the ruddy earth, from the Spanish word colorado.
- Letter C: For Colorado, and for the state’s columbine flower, silver and gold.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour with a central emblem" family, shared with 19 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Argentina, Cambodia and Croatia.
- Colorado joined the Union on 1 August 1876, as the 38th state.
- Pack burro racing is the official state summer heritage sport.
- The state is nicknamed The Centennial State.
- The state bird is the lark bunting.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Colorado
When was the flag of Colorado adopted?
The flag of Colorado was officially adopted on June 5, 1911.
What do the colours of the flag of Colorado mean?
Blue for the blue skies, white for the snow-capped mountains, red for the ruddy earth, from the Spanish word colorado and gold for the abundant sunshine.
When did Colorado become a state?
Colorado entered the Union on 1 August 1876, as the 38th state.
What is the state sport of Colorado?
Pack burro racing is the official state summer heritage sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Colorado represent?
Letter C — For Colorado, and for the state’s columbine flower, silver and gold.
What are the proportions of the flag of Colorado?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 83 national flags.
What are the state symbols of Colorado?
The state bird is the lark bunting, the state flower is the Rocky Mountain columbine and the motto is "Nil sine numine — Nothing without providence".
Which flags look similar to the flag of Colorado?
The closest matches are Argentina, Cambodia and Croatia, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Colorado?
It uses 4 colours: blue, white, red and gold.
Can I download the flag of Colorado for free?
Yes. This page offers the flag of Colorado in SVG, PNG, JPG and WebP at several sizes. The files are free to use for any purpose and no attribution is required.