Colorado's nickname, song, motto: Can you name all the state symbols?

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DENVER (KDVR) — Dating back to the 19th century and into the 21st century, many animals, wildlife and other objects found around Colorado have been deemed state symbols.

Some symbols, like the state flag and flower, are more well-known than others. To become a state symbol, it must be adopted by the general assembly or signed by a governor. For some of these symbols, the idea was brought on by an individual or group.

According to the Colorado State Archives, the state cactus was passed with help from a Girl Scout troop in Castle Rock. Meanwhile, the state fossil became official after it was campaigned by a fourth-grade class.

Colorado’s state symbols, emblems

Below are all of Colorado’s state symbols and emblems based on state archives. The date is when the symbols were adopted.

Animals

State amphibian: Western tiger salamander, 2012
State animal: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, 1961
State domestic pet: Dogs and cats, 2013
State bird: Lark bunting, 1931
State fish: Greenback cutthroat trout, 1994
State fossil: Stegosaurus, 1982
State insect: Colorado hairstreak butterfly, 1996
State reptile: Western painted turtle, 2008

Other Colorado wildlife

State cactus: Claret cup cactus, 2014
State flower: Columbine, 1899
State tree: Colorado blue spruce, 1939
State grass: Blue grama, 1987

Unique to Colorado

State day: “Colorado Day” when Colorado became a state on Aug. 1, 1876
State flag: The Colorado State Flag, 1911
State song: “Where the Columbines Grow” by A.J. Fynn, 1915 and “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver, 2007
State motto: “Nil Sine Numine,” Latin for “Nothing without Providence or Deity”
State nickname: “Centennial State” and “Colorful Colorado”

Miscellaneous

State dance: Folk/the square dance, 1992
State gemstone: Aquamarine, 1971
State mineral: Rhodochrosite, 2002
State seal: Great Seal, 1877
State summer sport: Pack burro racing, 2012
State rock: Yule marble, 2004
State tartan: Patterns and colors, 1997
State winter sport: Skiing and snowboarding, 2008

These symbols and emblems can be found around the state. The state flower can be found on some of the most popular Colorado hikes, while the state fossil can be found at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Other symbols and emblems, like the nickname for Colorado, can be seen in signs and other written pieces referring to the Centennial State.

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