Gold dome of the Colorado State Capitol building. Gold was added in 1908 over the original copper dome.
Territorial Daughters of Colorado was established in 1910.
Oldest school building in Colorado built circa 1860. Nominated by Territorial Daughters of Colorado to Colorado's Most Endangered Sites List 2017.
Gold dome of the Colorado State Capitol building. Gold was added in 1908 over the original copper dome.
About Us
Territorial Daughters of Colorado (TDC) is a non-profit organization that was established in 1910 to preserve and perpetuate the pioneer heritage of the State of Colorado.
To allow for more participation of our members, chapters were created around the state. TDC currently consists of four chapters (Denver, Southern, Western and Greeley) Each chapter organizes their own meeting schedules and projects. All chapters participate in the State organization.
Projects
We are a non-profit group that participates in numerous projects around the state to help preserve and perpetuate the pioneer heritage of Colorado.
Each Chapter has ongoing projects and participates in two State TDC projects each year. First project is the awarding of an academic scholarship to women studying history at a Colorado college or university (See Scholarship page). Second State project is designated by the chapter hosting the annual state meeting.
2019 State Project - was awarded to Yvonne Peterson with the Lower Valley Heritage Chapter to help preserve over 100 years of the Fruita Times newspapers. Yvonne is a member of the Western Chapter of Territorial Daughters.
State Newsletter
The State TDC organization publishes an annual newsletter in April of each year that is mailed to all members in the four TDC chapters. Click the button below to view the current year's newsletter.
This Day in Colorado History
July 1
1876 - Voters of the Colorado Territory approved the proposed Colorado State Constitution. The constitution was written by the third State Constitutional Convention made up of 39 delegates from around the territory after previous attempts to establish a state constitution were rejected by the voters. The constitution was written in three languages (English, Spanish and German) after convention delegate Casimiro Barela (the Perpetual Senator) of Trinidad wanted to ensure all residents of the state would be able to read it. The Convention had convened in Denver on December 20,1875 and concluded its work on March 14, 1876. The proposed constitution was then presented to the Colorado voters for ratification on July 1, 1876. The constitution was approved 15,443 to 4039.
July 6
1867 -Nathan Baker published the first edition of the Colorado Leader in Denver (Father of TDC member Lily Sebben)
July 8
1881- The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad reaches Silverton.
July 14
1820- Edwin James and two other members of a U.S. Army expedition led by Major Stephen Long make the first recorded ascent of Pikes Peak. Major Long names the mountain James Peak.
July 21
1921 - The Colorado River designation is extended to its Grand River tributary, which has its source in Colorado. Grand River namesakes (e.g., valley, county, lake, and city) remain unchanged.
July 22
1882 -The City of Grand Junction was incorporated.
July 31
1846 - General Kearny stages troops at Bent's Fort for an invasion of Santa Fe de Nuevo México in the Mexican–American War.
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Our Brochure
Casimiro Barela (1847-1920) - Barela served in the Territorial Legislature and was part of the 3rd State Constitutional Convention 1875-1876. He was influential in having the constitution published in three languages (English, Spanish and German). He is often called the Father of the Colorado Constitution. He went on to serve in the State Senate from 1876-1917. He is known as the Perpetual Senator. A stained glass window is in the State Capitol honoring him (one of 16 so honored).
Photo from the Collections of History Colorado Object ID 95.200.534