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Colorado Territory in 1861, showing acquisitions by John Sylvester Young — public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Original names

By Jon Pinnow
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This could have been a Tampa Postcard, a Nemara Postcard, a Franklin Postcard because those were a few of many proposed names for the state that became Colorado. 1858: Kansas Territorial governor James W. Denver proposes to name a new territory to the west Shoshone. 1859: A convention in Denver City sets out to prepare a Constitution for the State of Jefferson. The next year folks in D.C. decided upon the name Idaho. And Idaho it was. Until an objection at the US Capitol just before final vote in February, 1861. A senator from back east declared “I move to amend the name by striking out ‘Idaho.’ … There is nothing in it.” Instead, use the same name as the river that flowed from the region. “More appropriate and harmonious,” another senator said. The amendment passed.

The words "Colorado Postcards" overlaid on top of a sun beams

About Colorado Postcards

Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. See more postcards.

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