Colorado State Quarter Launched in Denver
DENVER, COLORADO - The newest quarter in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters Program was launched today at the Colorado State Capitol following a procession by horse-drawn stagecoach that began five blocks away and brought quarters from the United States Mint at Denver. The stagecoach was greeted at the state capitol by Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Sandra Pack, United States Mint Deputy Director David A. Lebryk, Colorado Governor Bill Owens, First Lady Frances Owens and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
The new quarter depicts a sweeping view of the rugged Rocky Mountains and bears a banner with the inscription "Colorful Colorado."
"This quarter evokes Colorado's rainbow of beauty and color," said Deputy Director Lebryk, "what the anthem "America the Beautiful" calls ‘purple mountains majesty.' Today, we celebrate the launch of a beautiful addition to the 50 State Quarters program, and the centennial anniversary of the United States Mint at Denver, one of two proud facilities that together will make up to 650 million "Colorful Colorado" quarters."
The Colorado quarter also bears the inscriptions "Colorado" and "1876," the year Colorado became a state. Colorado, nicknamed the "Centennial State," was admitted into the Union on August 1, 1876, becoming our Nation's 38th state. The Colorado quarter is the 38th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters Program and the third commemorative quarter-dollar released in 2006.