Colorado Joins the Union – Born in America’s Centennial Year

Colorado became the 38th state on August 1, 1876, earning its proud nickname—The Centennial State. A fitting title, as Colorado’s statehood marked exactly 100 years since the nation declared its independence. But Colorado was more than a date on the calendar—it was a symbol of America’s westward expansion, of grit, gold rushes, and grand ambition.

In the mid-1800s, prospectors, pioneers, and dreamers surged westward, chasing fortune through the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush. Towns rose, railways carved through the Rockies, and Colorado quickly became the heart of America’s frontier spirit. Its statehood, perfectly timed with the nation's 100th birthday, felt like destiny—Colorado wasn’t just a state; it was a statement.

What’s in a Name? The Spirit Behind Colorado’s Name and Slogans

• The Name "Colorado": From the Spanish word for “colored red,” Colorado was named for the striking, rust-tinted waters of the Colorado River. Bold, natural, and raw—just like the land itself.
• The Centennial State: Colorado’s nickname reminds us that timing is everything. Joining the Union during America’s centennial cemented its place in the nation's story—one of pioneers, patriots, and perseverance.
• The Official Motto – "Nil Sine Numine" (Nothing Without Providence):
  This Latin phrase, pulled from the Colorado territorial seal, is a nod to the divine and the daring. Early settlers believed success in the rugged Rockies required more than muscle and grit—it demanded faith, fortune, and a touch of something greater. From gold miners to ranchers, the people of Colorado lived by this motto: Bold dreams, guided by destiny.

Denver – Mile-High Dreams and Gold Rush Beginnings

You can’t talk Colorado without tipping your hat to Denver, the capital that sits exactly one mile above sea level—earning it the moniker The Mile-High City. But before the skyscrapers, there were stakes and shovels. Denver was founded in 1858 during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush, a boomtown built by dreamers hoping to strike it rich.

Why "Denver"? It’s a political story as old as time—the city was named to flatter Kansas Territorial Governor James W. Denver, hoping to gain favor for the settlement (though Denver himself never set foot in the city). The gamble paid off—Denver flourished, becoming the beating heart of the West.

The nickname Mile-High City isn’t just about altitude—it’s about attitude. Denver climbed from gold camps to a modern metropolis, proving that greatness comes to those who reach a little higher.

At United Grit, every design is more than a shirt—it’s a story. Colorado’s grit, gold, and glory live on in our hand-drawn pieces that blend mid-century style with timeless pride. Wear the spirit of the Centennial State and let the world know: History isn’t something you read—it’s something you live.