Governor of Colorado

Governor of Colorado
U.S. Department of the Interior · Public domain · source
Post	Governor
Body	Colorado
Insigniasize	110
Insigniacaption	Seal of Colorado
Flagsize	150
Flagcaption	Flag of the Governor of Colorado
Incumbent	Jared Polis
Incumbentsince	January 8, 2019
Department	Colorado state government
Style	The Honorable (formal), Governor (informal)
Residence	Colorado Governor's Mansion
Seat	Colorado State Capitol, Denver
Termlength	Four years, renewable once consecutively
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Colorado
Inaugural	John Long Routt
Formation	August 1, 1876
Salary	$123,193 (2023)
Website	[https://www.colorado.gov/governor/ Official website]

Governor of Colorado is the head of government of the U.S. state of Colorado and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The officeholder is responsible for implementing state laws, overseeing the executive branch, and approving or vetoing bills passed by the Colorado General Assembly. The position was established upon Colorado's admission to the Union in 1876, with John Long Routt serving as the first state governor following his tenure as the last territorial governor.

History and establishment

The office's origins trace to the Colorado Territory, established by the United States Congress in 1861, with William Gilpin appointed as the first territorial governor by President Abraham Lincoln. Following the Pike's Peak Gold Rush and increased settlement, a statehood movement culminated in the Enabling Act of 1875. Colorado was admitted as the 38th state on August 1, 1876, earning the nickname "Centennial State." The executive framework was defined by the original Constitution of Colorado, largely modeled after the federal government and other states. Key historical developments include the expansion of gubernatorial power during the Colorado Labor Wars, the tenure of reformer John Shafroth in the Progressive Era, and the landmark administration of Richard Lamm, who served three terms focusing on environmental and fiscal issues.

Qualifications and election

Candidates must be at least thirty years old, a U.S. citizen for at least two years, and a resident of Colorado for at least two years immediately preceding the election. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years, coinciding with the midterm congressional elections, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The governor is elected jointly with a candidate for lieutenant governor on a single ticket, as per a 1968 constitutional amendment. Elections are administered by the Colorado Secretary of State, and if no candidate receives a majority, the Colorado General Assembly chooses the governor. Since a 1990 referendum, governors are limited to two consecutive terms, though they can run again after a break.

Powers and duties

The governor possesses extensive executive authority, including the power to appoint heads of major departments like the Colorado Department of Public Safety and members of boards such as the University of Colorado Board of Regents, subject to confirmation by the Colorado Senate. A central power is the veto over legislation passed by the Colorado General Assembly, including a line-item veto on appropriations bills. As commander-in-chief of the Colorado National Guard, the governor can deploy forces during emergencies, such as wildfires or civil unrest. Other duties include granting pardons and commutations (except for treason), issuing executive orders, preparing an annual budget for submission to the legislature, and representing the state in dealings with the federal government and other states.

Succession and vacancies

The Lieutenant Governor of Colorado is first in the line of succession and assumes the office if it becomes vacant. Subsequent succession proceeds to the President of the Senate, then the Speaker of the House, and then as provided by statute through other statewide elected officers. A vacancy in the lieutenant governor's office is filled by gubernatorial appointment with confirmation by both houses of the Colorado General Assembly. This process was notably invoked in 2016 when Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia resigned and Donna Lynne was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper.

List of governors

Since statehood, Colorado has had 43 governors, including 20 Republicans, 17 Democrats, and 6 from historical parties like the Populist Party. Notable governors include John Long Routt, the first state governor; Davis Hanson Waite, a Populist who confronted mine owners during the Cripple Creek miners' strike of 1894; Edwin C. Johnson, who served three non-consecutive terms and later became a United States Senator; Richard Lamm, known for his environmental advocacy; and Roy Romer, who oversaw major infrastructure projects like Denver International Airport. The current governor, Jared Polis, elected in 2018, is the first openly LGBT person elected governor in U.S. history.

Residences and symbols

The official residence is the Colorado Governor's Mansion, a Georgian-style home in Denver's Governor's Park neighborhood, acquired by the state in 1960. The primary workplace is the office suite located in the Colorado State Capitol. The governor uses an official flag, featuring the state seal on a field of white, and an official seal. Transportation is often provided by the Colorado State Patrol, and the governor is protected by its Executive Security Unit. The position is also associated with the use of Boeing C-32 aircraft for official travel, operated by the Colorado Air National Guard.

Category:Governors of Colorado Category:Colorado state government