The crew of the USS Colorado is looking for a few good men — and women, boys and girls, too — to help design the submarine’s crest.
According to the Colorado’s Commissioning Committee, it is naval tradition for a vessel to display a “unique emblem” on uniform patches, ship’s plaques and other places where such an emblem is appropriate.
According to the committee, the ship’s first commanding officer has the responsibility and distinction of selecting the design of that crest — that’s where the public comes in. As part of a statewide contest, people are being asked to submit designs to assist prospective Commanding Officer Ken Franklin in selecting the submarine’s crest.
Construction of the Colorado, the 15th Virginia-class submarine, started in March 2012; it will be the fourth vessel to be christened after its namesake state.
The committee says elements in the design of the crest should relate to what makes Colorado special. According to The Day, a New London, Conn., newspaper, the crest of the USS California was designed by the father of one of the boat’s sailors. The USS Minnesota crest was designed by one of that state’s high school students after a crest contest received more than 100 entries from high school and college students.
The Colorado contest has two divisions: the senior division bracket includes a potential award of a $1,500 scholarship for the winner, plus a round trip for two to the submarine’s commissioning in Groton, Conn. Entries require submissions to come in a print-ready digital image format and require a $10 entry fee.
The junior division contest is aimed at younger children and is to be submitted on paper not larger than 8½ by 11 inches along with the submission form found on the committee’s website, . Prizes for the junior division winner include a $100 gift certificate.
Entries in the junior division contest are due no later than March 1; entries in the senior division are due no later than March 16. The committee will screen the entries and submit selected entries in each category to the ship’s commanding officer, who will select the winner in each category.
Because the final decision for the crest lies with the commanding officer, the possibility exists that the winners of the contest may not be selected as the official ship’s crest.
Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292, acotton @denverpost.com or anthonycottondp
