Why is Colorado “The State Born in Chaos?”

When the territory, and later state, of Colorado was established, it was done so as a result of what can only be described as chaos that was taking place in the United States at the time.

Colorado Became a Territory to Combat Slavery

The American Civil War, which took place between the years of 1861 and 1865, was a war between the northern and southern states largely as a result of the North’s fight to abolish slavery in the South.

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One of the strategies used by lawmakers in the North to win the war was to expand the north and on February 28, 1861, President James Buchanan signed legislation that created the territory of Colorado. This move would be followed by the establishment of the Nevada Territory the following day, and the Dakota Territory the day after that.

Because of the urgency of expanding the north at the time, the shape of Colorado was created in haste and was designed to be a simple rectangle.

Granting Colorado Statehood Was Chaotic

After it became a territory, five attempts to grant Colorado statehood failed before it was finally admitted on August 8, 1876. The process took 15 years, with the first attempt killed by miners who were concerned about taxes being increased if statehood was granted.

Additional attempts to grant Colorado statehood were vetoed by then-President Andrew Johnson for political reasons. The final failed attempt to make Colorado a state failed because, at the time, the Constitution did not allow African Americans to vote.

Finally, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the legislation into law that established Colorado as the nation’s 38th state.

Read More: The Story Behind Colorado's Mount Massive and Its Rivalry

The fascinating story of the chaos surrounding Colorado becoming a territory and later a state is told in the popular new video released by Fact Atlas that you can watch here.