Colorado State Seal

The Great Seal of the State of Colorado is an adaptation of the territorial seal, initially adopted in 1861 and later modified to become the state seal when Colorado gained statehood in 1876. The changes included replacing the inscriptions with "State of Colorado" and "1876." The seal features significant symbolism, including the Eye of Providence within a triangle with radiating golden rays at the top, a Roman fasces below it representing strength and authority, and a heraldic shield depicting mountains, clouds, miner's tools, and a scroll with the Latin motto "Nil Sine Numine" (Nothing without providence) at the bottom, along with the year 1876. The design is attributed to Lewis Ledyard Weld, the territorial secretary, and Governor William Gilpin, both knowledgeable in heraldry. The Colorado Secretary of State has the exclusive authority to apply the Great Seal to any document.