DID YOU KNOW
Colorado’s first two territorial governors were forced to leave office before their terms were up.
When Congress established Colorado Territory in 1861, President Lincoln appointed William Gilpin as the first territorial governor for a two-year term.
That July, Gilpin requested funds from the federal government to organize Union troops in Colorado Territory to defend the region against the Confederate army. Federal officials refused the request. The governor then organized the First Colorado Regiment of Volunteers, funded by issuing negotiable drafts directly upon the national treasury. When the federal government refused to back the expenditures, Gilpin was removed from office in 1862.
John Evans was then appointed to replace Gilpin. In November 1864, Colorado troops under the leadership of Col. John M. Chivington killed an estimated 163 Native Americans, many women, children and elderly men, at what became known as the “Sand Creek Massacre.” A congressional investigation followed, and Gov. Evans was asked to resign in July 1865.
After Colorado achieved statehood in 1876, governors were elected instead of appointed.
Sources: “Colorado Almanac,” by Thomas J. Noel; Colorado State Archives; Colorado State Archives’ governor’s page (www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/offic/gov.html)
Line of questioning below the belt
Boxers or briefs? It’s an embarrassing question that’s been haunting Russell George, Gov. Bill Ritter’s new transportation department executive director.
The question first came up last week during a committee hearing on his nomination.
Because he is a Republican appointed by a Democrat, there were no hard questions. So one panelist, in jest, asked him if he preferred boxers or briefs.
It came up again Wednesday before the full Senate confirmed George.
“That’s more information than I need,” Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald said when informed of the line of questioning.
Sen. Shawn Mitchell, R-Broomfield, noted that George is such a gentleman that even “Mrs. George doesn’t know if it’s boxers or briefs.”
Can we quote you on that?
“The first rule of making a promise is keeping it.”
– Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, referring to Gov. Bill Ritter’s campaign promise to veto anti-business legislation.
