List of Colorado legislatures


This is a list of the legislatures of the U.S. state of Colorado. The Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Colorado met from the creation of the territory in 1861 until statehood on August 1, 1876. The General Assembly of the State of Colorado has convened many times since statehood.

Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Colorado

The Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Colorado did not number its legislatures; rather, it numbered its sessions, which occurred occasionally from 1861 to 1876.
SessionLocationSession beganSession endedHouse journal linkTerritorial Council journal link
First Regular SessionDenver
Second SessionColorado City
Denver
Third SessionGolden City
Denver
Fourth SessionGolden City
Fifth SessionGolden City
Denver
Sixth SessionGolden City
Seventh SessionGolden City
Denver
Eighth SessionDenver
Ninth SessionDenver
Tenth SessionDenver
Eleventh SessionDenver

1865 Territorial Legislature

For a brief time in 1865, Colorado had an approved state constitution, and selected a legislature and other elected officials. The legislature briefly convened, believing that their statehood had been approved. However, Andrew Johnson vetoed the corresponding enabling act, and the body that met as the state legislature was disbanded. This legislature met from December 12 through December 19, 1865.

General Assembly of the State of Colorado

The state legislature has met in Denver, Colorado since its founding. "The first legislative session met from November 1, 1876, through March 20, 1877, and the succeeding sessions met every two years in the odd numbered years: 1879, 1881, 1883, etc., until 1950."
"Colorado general elections are held on the first Tuesday, following the first Monday in November in every even-numbered year, with the exception of the first election in October 1876. Since 1876, representatives have been elected every two years and senators have been elected every four years on a staggered basis."