The new Colorado commemorative quarter received rock-star treatment Wednesday during a launch ceremony at the state Capitol.
More than a thousand people – mostly coin collectors, children and their parents – braved the heat to be among the first in the country to palm shiny “Colorful Colorado” coins, some delivered by a horse-drawn Wells Fargo coach to the west steps of the Capitol.
“Isn’t it a great day for Colorado?” Gov. Bill Owens asked the crowd, which roared approvingly.
“To coin a phrase, today is the day we are going to put Colorado on the map” with other states that have had commemorative coins issued, Owens said.
Colorado is the 38th state to join the U.S. Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program, which honors each state in the order it ratified the Constitution or was admitted to the Union. The program began in 1999 and will continue through 2008.
Country music blared, two F-16 fighter jets from the Colorado Air National Guard buzzed the crowd, and volunteers with the Colorado Historical Society, in period costume, handed out bottles of water to folks sweltering in the heat.
The smell of sunscreen filled the air, giving the outing a day- at-the-beach feel.
Twelve-year-old Dianna Montoya, whose father works at the Denver Mint, was among the first children to receive a free quarter as part of the festivities.
“I think it’s nicely detailed,” she said, admiring her coin.
Jarrad Buxton, 13, of Denver described the coin as “cool!”
“I like it because it has the mountains,” he said.
The Colorado quarters feature a mountain scene, trees and the phrase “Colorful Colorado.” They should start turning up as change in regular transactions sometime in July. Some 650 million Colorado quarters will be minted over a 10-week period in Denver and Philadelphia.
Joining Owens to celebrate the release were his wife, Frances, who led the Colorado quarter commission, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, Deputy Director of the U.S. Mint David Lebryk, and Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Sandra Pack.
“This quarter evokes Colorado’s rainbow of beauty and color,” Lebryk said. “What the anthem ‘America the Beautiful’ calls ‘purple mountains majesty.’ ”
Pack, a Denver native, said she was thrilled to be at the ceremony.
“I always feel that when I’m here, I’m home,” she told the crowd. “Congratulations to you all on your new Colorado quarter.”
After the ceremony, hundreds of people lined up to purchase $10 rolls of uncirculated quarters and a commemorative, sealed package for $5.
Wendi Vanderiet of Denver stood at the back of the long line with her children, Grant, 3, and Morgan, 7. They came prepared with sunscreen, water, sunglasses and an umbrella.
“We are so proud of our state; it’s a big deal,” Vanderiet said. “Let’s just hope the line moves real quick.”
Said Morgan: “I think it’s cool because I like money.”
Staff writer Kieran Nicholson can be reached at 303-820-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
