1938: Colorado

Area and Population.

Colorado is known as 'The Centennial State' because it was admitted to statehood in 1876. It ranks 7th in size among the states, with an area of 193,948 sq. mi. In population it ranks 33rd, numbering 1,035,791 according to the census of 1930; 1,071,000 on July 1, 1937, according to the latest Federal estimate. The largest cities are Denver, the capital, 287,861 (1930 census); Pueblo, 50,096; Colorado Springs, 33,237; Greeley, 12,203; Trinidad, 11,732; Fort Collins, 11,489; and Boulder, 11,223.

Agriculture.

The decline in values is principally due to lower prices. Corn production was the highest since 1933. Sugar beets slightly under a year ago, in volume, were higher in sugar content. Grain sorghum products the highest since 1933. Dry beans, apples, pears and most other products were ahead of 1937 in volume.

Mineral Products.

The total value of Colorado's metals, gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc, amounted, in 1937, to $22,107,207 compared with $19,819,869 in 1936. The estimated total for 1938 is $22,020,731. Copper exceeded all previous yearly production in 1937, with 21,868,000 pounds (value, $2,640,028) as against 17,730,000 pounds in 1936 (value $1,631,160), an increase in value of 62 per cent. The most valuable metal continued to be gold, with little advance in amount; 368,905 oz. (value, $12,911,675). Silver, too, remained fairly stationary, with 6,260,603 oz. in 1937. Lead advanced from 14,534,000 pounds in 1936 to 19,572,000 in 1937. There was some increase in the mining of bituminous coal, Colorado's leading mineral product: 7,195,395 tons (value, $18,420,000) in 1937 as against 6,811,802 tons in 1936. Zinc made an extraordinary advance of 262 per cent over 1936, or from 2,344,000 pounds to 8,494,000 in 1937. Shipments of tungsten amounted to 303 tons.

Industry.

Colorado came through 1938 in good shape, with business as a whole showing a favorable recovery and in some lines equalling or going ahead of 1937. The general decline in the first half of the year continued into August, when a turn became apparent and business took an upward swing. The state also enjoyed industrial peace, as no strike or wage cuts of consequence occurred during the year. The banks accumulated cash and have large funds available for commercial and industrial uses when needed.

Retail sales during the first half of 1938 were considerably below the same period in 1937, but showed an improvement during the last half and in some instances scored a recovery to 1937 levels.

Education.

In 1936-37 there were enrolled in the public schools of the state 249,520 pupils out of a total school population of 306,408. In that school year the expenditure on public schools, including kindergartens, grade schools and high schools, amounted to $20,934,353.

Politics.

Political affairs underwent a considerable change in the November election, resulting in the choice of a Republican governor, and a Republican majority in the house, but with a Democratic majority continuing in the Senate.

Finance.

It was necessary during the year for the state to issue anticipation warrants payable out of future revenues. These are being rapidly retired, however. The financial problem is complicated by an old age pension amendment adopted as an initiated measure in 1936. This went into effect in the fall of 1937, and provides for $45 a month to those over 60 years of age. Only 2,116 persons between 60 and 65 were on the rolls, however, at the close of 1937, due to limitations on that class adopted by the legislature. The repeal of this amendment was proposed in the 1938 election and defeated. The incoming governor, accordingly, has announced that the $45 per month provision in the Constitution is mandatory and that some method of making the payments will be sought. Actually, however, under the $45 provision, the payments run from $12 to $15 a month on an average, due to lack of funds. The Constitutional provision for the setting aside of 85 per cent of retail sales taxes, liquor taxes, licenses and fees, and other funds, for this purpose, complicates the financial problems of the state, but there are indications that the incoming administration will have the cooperation of the Democratic majority in the Senate in seeking a solution.

Federal Activities.

Federal government activities in Colorado are an important factor in the state's growth, Denver being the headquarters for numerous regional offices for the western states. A survey made by the state Planning Commission in 1938 showed that 134 agencies of the Federal government are located here, of which 9 are general, 87 regional, 22 state and 16 local. The employees number about 10,000 and the annual payroll is at least $15,000,000 annually. These agencies, with a few exceptions, are regular establishments on a permanent basis. Colorado is also an important unit in the national defense program, and in 1938 an Army Air Corps technical school was established by Congress near Denver. Ultimately, this is expected to cost in excess of $10,000,000. A $3,750,000 unit is being added to the Fitzsimmons General Hospital, the Fort Logan military post is being improved, a Federal prison is under construction, and the veterans' hospital at Fort Lyons is being enlarged. The Federal government has about $3,700,000,000 stored in the mint at Denver.

The construction of the Colorado River-Big Thompson transmountain water diversion project was inaugurated in 1938. It will bring water from the western to the eastern side of the mountains and provide for hydroelectric projects. The work, which will cost $44,000,000, is under the supervision of the Federal Reclamation Service, which has its general field office for all government projects in Denver. Other projects completed in 1938, or nearing the construction stage, are expected to equal the cost named above. (See also CIVIL ENGINEERING; RECLAMATION.)

State Officers.

As a result of the November election, the chief officers of the state are as follows: Governor, Ralph L. Carr; Lieut.-Governor, John Vivian; Secretary of State, George E. Saunders; Treasurer, Charles M. Armstrong; Auditor, Homer F. Bedford; Attorney General, Byron G. Rogers; Supt. of Public Instruction, Inez Johnson Lewis.

United States Senators.

Alva B. Adams; Edwin C. Johnson.