1942: Colorado

Area and Population.

Colorado lies in the central portion of the western half of the United States, at a mean altitude of 6,800 ft. above sea level, and is bisected from north to south by the main range of the Rocky Mountains. It has an area of 104,247 sq. mi., of which 280 sq. mi. consist of surface waters.

The population in 1940 was 1,123,296, the proportion being 52.6 per cent urban to 47.4 per cent rural. The native-born accounted for 1,051,732 or 93.6 per cent, compared with 90.4 per cent in 1930. The white population was 1,106,502, or 98.5 per cent. The foreign-born population decreased from 99,875 in 1930 to 71,564 in 1940, of whom 15.9 per cent were Russians, 11.9 per cent Italians, 10 per cent Germans, and 9 per cent Mexicans.

The principal cities according to rank are Denver, the capital and principal city, population 322,412; Pueblo, 52,162; Colorado Springs, 36,789; Greeley, 15,995; Trinidad, 13,223; and Boulder, 12,958.

Education.

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction reported a school population in 1941, between 6 and 21 years, of 312,722. The number of elementary or common schools was 2,327, with an enrollment of 149,145; 140 junior high schools, enrollment 31,273; and 356 high schools, enrollment 23,979. Total expenditures aggregated 24,260,509. Average teachers' salaries were: elementary, $1,098; junior high, $1,554; high schools, $1,566.

Agriculture.

The indicated production of agricultural products in 1942 shows substantial increases over 1941 in all principal items except wheat, which had an indicated decrease of 1.1 per cent, and grain sorghums with a decrease of 18.2 per cent. Nineteen products listed go far ahead of the 10-year averages. Corn production in 1942 approximated 18,324,000 bu., a gain of 18 per cent over 1941; barley, 17,250,000 bu., increase 10.8 per cent; potatoes, 16,415,000 bu., increase 27.1 per cent; sugar beets, 2,424,000 tons, increase 19.9 per cent. Goals, not allotments, recommended for Colorado in 1943 by Claude R. Wickard, Secretary of Agriculture, on an acreage basis, range from 70 per cent of the 1942 crop for rye to 146 per cent for dry peas. Decreases were recommended for wheat, rye, barley and hay. Increases to 117 per cent are recommended for sugar beets and potatoes, and from 110 to 115 per cent for poultry.

Industry.

Denver building permits for eleven months of 1942 amounted to $6,360,387, a decrease of $8,076,660 or 55.9 per cent, compared with the same period in 1941. The permits do not include the construction of military establishments, which was extremely heavy, mostly outside the cities. To facilitate this work the government requisitioned for several months the entire output of all cement plants in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. Manufacturing was to a large extent converted to war industries, including prefabrication, in a number of shops, of merchant ships for the British, which are assembled in California shipyards. The activities of the Federal Government through regional offices located in Denver were greatly expanded in 1942, there being more than 190 regional offices from which operations were conducted in western states.

Denver retail sales for the first nine months were 11 per cent ahead of the same period in 1941 and stocks on Sept. 30 were 34 per cent larger than on the same date in the preceding year. The retail sales tax (2 per cent) for the calendar year of 1941 amounted to $8,354,587, an increase of 13.3 per cent over 1940. The service tax (2 per cent) was $1,316,455 for 1941, an increase of 9.3 per cent. The state income tax amounted to $3,543,431, an increase of 5.1 per cent over the calendar year of 1940.

Political Matters.

No session of the Legislature was held in 1942, the thirty-fourth General Assembly being scheduled to convene in January 1943. The new Legislature will be predominantly Republican, with 22 Republicans, 11 Democrats and two vacancies in the Senate, and 55 Republicans and 10 Democrats in the House. The Republicans elected six of the seven executive officers in the 1942 election, the Superintendent of Public Instruction being the only Democrat elected. The Congressional delegation from Colorado will include one Democrat and one Republican in the Senate, as against two Democrats in the last Congress; and one Democrat and three Republicans in the House as compared with four Democratic representatives in 1939.

Finance.

State finances are in a most favorable condition. It is estimated that the surplus, as of June 30, 1943, will be approximately $1,930,000, after all bills are paid. The budget to be submitted to the next Legislature will be pared to meet anticipated decreases in revenues. A decrease of 50 per cent in gasoline taxes is anticipated, due to rationing. This will curtail highway funds, as part of the revenue from gasoline taxes is obligated for the payment of maturing principal and interest on highway anticipation warrants. The highway department will confine itself largely to maintenance work in 1943. State administrative costs are scheduled for some curtailment.

The state unemployment compensation fund at the end of 1941 amounted to $13,130,680, after payment of $2,223,051 in benefits during the year. Expenditures for all welfare purposes in 1941 were $22,654,046, of which $17,032,328 was for old-age pensions and burials, and the remainder, after the transfer of $566,519 to the general fund, was distributed for aid to dependent children, the blind, child welfare, direct relief, and miscellaneous activities.

State Officers.

Governor, John C. Vivian; Lieutenant Governor, William E. Higby; Secretary of State, Walter F. Morrison; Treasurer, Leon E. Lovington; Auditor, James L. Bradley; Attorney General, Gail L. Ireland; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Inez Johnson Lewis.

United States Senators:

Edwin Johnson, Eugene D. Millikin.

1941: Colorado

Area and Population.

Colorado, which lies in the west central part of the United States, 1500 miles west of the Atlantic seaboard and 800 miles east of the Pacific, ranks 7th among the states in size, and 33rd in population. The area of the state, as shown by the basic remeasurement for the 1940 Census, the first made since 1880, is 104,247 sq. mi. This includes 103,967 sq. mi. of land, and 280 sq. mi. of surface waters.

The population of the state in 1940 was 1,123,296, an increase of 8.4 per cent over 1930, and comprising 52.6 per cent urban residents and 47.4 per cent rural. The growth in population was most pronounced in urban areas, the increase being 13.6 per cent, as compared with 3.2 per cent in the rural. There are 250 incorporated places in the state, of which eight have a population of 10,000 or more. These include Denver, the capital and principal city, with a population of 322,412 and a metropolitan area embracing a population of 384,372; Pueblo, the second largest city, with a population of 52,162; and Colorado Springs, third largest, with a total of 36,789. Next in size are Boulder, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Greeley, and Trinidad.

Education.

The state is divided into 2,013 public school districts, and the total school population between the ages of 6 and 21, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1940, was 312,722. Illiterates, who cannot read and write the English language, numbered 247 between 8 and 21 years of age. The state system included 2,327 elementary schools, 140 junior high schools and 356 senior high schools. Enrollment in the elementary schools, 1939-40, was 149,145, and in the junior and senior high schools 55,564. Total enrollment including special and night schools, aggregated 229,022, an increase of 2,380 over 1939. School expenditures during the fiscal year amounted to $24,260,669, of which $18,324,576 was for current expenses, $4,302,044 for debt service, and $1,634,049 capital outlay. The value of all school property at the close of the fiscal year was $67,412,031. The average salary of teachers in the elementary schools was $1,098.89; junior high, $1,554; senior high, $1,565.94; superintendents, principals and supervisors, $2,791.82.

Agriculture.

Farm conditions in 1941 were favorable in nearly all areas. Of 18 principal crops, 10 indicated increased yields over 1940, and 12 out of the 18 will exceed the ten-year average. The gain over 1940 was principally in grains and hay. Potatoes, sugar beets, apples, peaches, and pears showed decreases. Prospects for 1942 are encouraging, with irrigation reservoirs for the most part full of water and an ample supply assured if precipitation is fairly normal.

Industry.

Business and industrial conditions improved steadily throughout the year in response to increased construction, and work on military and defense projects. A small-arms ammunition plant in Jefferson county west of Denver, on which construction began in January, was dedicated and put in operation on Oct. 25. It was built by the government and is operated by the Remington Arms Co. The cost of contract was $87,000,000. Immediately following completion, construction was authorized on an additional unit to cost $4,000,000 for building and equipment. Workmen will average 10,000 daily. This project represents Colorado's largest single industry.

Enlargement of Lowry Field, the Air Corps technical school southeast of Denver, has been continuous, with personnel outrunning facilities. Present facilities provide for the housing of 13,000 men. The school took over Fort Logan early in the year and immediately began expanding facilities to take care of 1300 men, including personnel and students in clerical duties. A new unit of the Fitzsimmons General Hospital, east of Denver, the largest building in Colorado and the largest single unit hospital of the Army, erected and equipped at a cost in excess of $4,000,000, was dedicated December 3. Contracts were being made in December for Denver manufacturers to fabricate the steel for the hulls of 24 escort vessels for the Navy, to be constructed at the Mare Island Navy Yard near San Francisco. The cost of the vessels will be approximately $144,000,000, of which $48,000,000 will go to Colorado firms who do the fabricating.

Building permits in Denver, in the first ten months of 1941, increased 20 per cent over last year in value. Pueblo showed an increase of 29 per cent. Tourist travel established a new high, the state highway department estimating that 630,000 out-of-state cars entered Colorado. Visitors in the Rocky Mountain National Park numbered 685,393, of whom 437,712 were from other states.

Minerals.

Ranking third among the states in the mining of gold and silver, Colorado in 1940 produced 367,336 oz. of the former, valued at $12,856,760, and of the latter 9,710,709 oz. worth $6,905,393. The state also produced 24,304,000 pounds of copper; 22,952,000 pounds of lead; and 10,120,000 pounds of zinc. Of tungsten the state produced 849 tons of ferberite concentrates. Leading again in production of molybdenum, a Colorado company, the largest in the world, was responsible for 22,782,608 pounds of that metal. Mining in the Cripple Creek district was revived with the completion of a drainage tunnel 32,927 feet long to unwater the principal mines and enable the exploration of deeper ore bodies. It was constructed as a private enterprise by the Golden Cycle Corporation at a cost of $1,150,000. (See also MOLYBDENUM.)

Legislative Matters.

There was no session of the State Legislature in 1941. A new law directed toward centralization of authority in the Governor, and the placing of tax collection agencies under a single head, enacted by the 1939 session, went into effect, however, on July 1. A Department of Revenue was created and took over the administrative and collection functions of the boards previously administering income, sales, service, motor fuel and store-licensing taxes, as well as the motor-vehicle licensing department. The Governor's authority was increased by the abolition of the executive council which had exercised some duties superior to those of the chief executive.

Finance and Banking.

The financial condition of the state at the close of the fiscal year, on June 30, 1941, was in excellent shape. Appropriations for the biennial period for the general fund were $12,214,241, and receipts for the two years were $12,975,500, leaving a surplus of $761,258. The present administration had faced a deficit upon entering office.

An abstract of reports of 59 state and savings banks, and 7 trust companies, at the close of business on Sept. 24, 1941, showed total resources of $75,203,465, an increase of $3,078,780 as compared with a statement as of June 30, 1941. The total average reserves were 51.4 per cent. Total expenditures of the Department of Public Welfare for the first nine months of 1941, including Federal, state and county funds, amounted to $15,405,969. Old-age pensions, including burials, accounted for $12,591,909 of that total, a decrease of $515,402 as compared with the same period in 1940, the remainder being allotted to dependent children, aid to the blind, general relief and tuberculosis aid.

Defense.

The state was well organized for defense activities when war was declared, and steps were immediately taken to enlarge their scope. The State Vocational Education Board conducts centers of training for workers in vital industries, and on Dec. 15 these were put on a 7-day 24-hour basis. The sugar manufacturing companies placed the machine shops of 16 mills at the Board's disposal, the latter paying the costs of power, instruction, and lighting. The Denver School Board took similar steps at the Opportunity School, where instruction for industrial workers was already in progress. The Governor stepped up the work of the Council of Defense in the organization of all muncipalities and counties. The Home Guard, organized with 200 members, following the induction of the National Guard into the Federal Army, has been expanded to include 2000 members. The Colorado State Employment service is training men for the United States Merchant Marine. In July the Civil Aeronautics Authority established in Denver one of the two converging centers in the country for teletype communications wires.

Deaths during 1941 resulted in several changes in the state's official family. The deceased included Alva B. Adams, senior United States Senator, Francis E. Bouck, chief justice of the State Supreme Court, and Edward T. Taylor, Congressman from the Fourth Colorado district. All three were Democrats. The appointment of successors to Adams and Bouck for their unexpired terms will be made by Governor Carr, a Republican. On Dec. 9, Robert F. Rockwell, a state senator and a Republican was elected to Congress to succeed Taylor.

State Officers.

Governor, Ralph L. Carr, Lieutenant-Governor, John C. Vivian; Secretary of State, Walter F. Morrison; Treasurer, Homer F. Bedford; Auditor, Charles M. Armstrong; Attorney General, Gail L. Ireland; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Inez Johnson Lewis.

United States Senators:

Edwin Johnson. Second Senator, office vacant.

1940: Colorado

Area and Population.

With an area of 103,948 sq. mi., Colorado ranks seventh among the states in size. Federal lands comprise 36.3 per cent of the total; state land, 4.9 per cent; and land in private ownership, 57.2 per cent; the remaining 1.6 per cent being unclassified.

The 1940 census gave the state a population of 1,123,296, an increase of 87,505 or 8.4 per cent over 1930. The census revealed much shifting of population in Colorado between 1930 and 1940. This resulted from a variety of causes, including resettlement of people living in 'dust bowl' counties, increase of mining operations in other counties, and the inauguration of extensive Federal reclamation projects in some districts.

Denver, with a population of 322,412 in 1940, is the state capital and largest city. The increase in Denver's population over 1930 amounted to 10.6 per cent. Because of the numerous Federal agencies in the city it is popularly known as the 'western capital' of the United States. On April 1, 1940, there were 145 offices of Federal bureaus, departments and agencies located there, of which 10 were general (some including the entire United States); 91 regional, with jurisdiction extending over from 2 to 23 states; 26 served Colorado; and 18 were local in character. Pueblo, the second largest city, with a population of 52,162, is an industrial center. Colorado Springs, with a population of 36,789, is third in size. The remainder of the eight cities in the state having a population of 10,000 or more are Boulder, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Greeley and Trinidad.

Education.

During the school year 1938-39 the parochial schools reported 13,487 pupils, and the public schools, 232,170. The public-school system is divided into 2,032 districts with 2,992 schools. The number of inhabitants of school age in April, 1940, was 308,811. The schools included 2,428 elementary or common schools with an enrollment of 165,006, and 455 high and junior high schools with an enrollment of 53,560. Expenditures for the public school system in 1937-1938 amounted to $23,017,216. The average annual salaries of teachers are as follows: kindergarten, $1,923.88; elementary, $1,036,72; junior high, $1,778,35; senior high, $1,513.50; and superintendents, principals and instructors, $2,481.33.

Industry and Agriculture.

Retail business in the Denver trade area ran about 2.1 per cent ahead of the previous year during the first 10 months, and in November the gain was about 5 per cent over November 1939. November also showed an increase of 7 per cent in wholesale business. The wool crop in 1940 was estimated at 13,000,000 pounds, valued at $3,900,000, most of which will go into uniforms and clothing for the Army. Sales, use and service taxes for 11 months were $8,207,868, a gain of 1.3 per cent over the same period last year. State income tax collections for 1940, as estimated in December were to be $3,400,000, an increase of 16.8 per cent over 1939.

Agricultural conditions as a whole also showed improvement in 1940. The winter wheat crop had the best start in years. Sorghum for livestock was placed at 4,422,000 bu. as against 2,150,000 bu. in 1939. Potatoes dropped from 14,400,000 bu. in 1939, to 14,240,000 bu. in 1940. The sugar beet crop increased from 1,543,000 tons in 1939 to 1,927,000 in 1940. Dry beans went up from 1,360,000 bags to 1,659,000. Shipments of fruit in the 1940 season ran approximately 1,000 carload lots ahead of last year.

Mineral Products.

The total value in 1939 of Colorado's leading minerals, gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc, was very slightly in excess of that for 1938, at $22,319,041. The most valuable item was gold, amounting to 366,852 oz., worth $12,839,820. In addition, Colorado produced in 1939 bituminous coal in the amount of 5,890,000 tons; and 360 tons of tungsten concentrates, thus retaining her rank of third among the states for this product.

Finance.

The finances of the state are in excellent condition and satisfactory collections during 1940 appear to insure yields for the general fund which will equal if not exceed the budgetary estimates for the biennium ending June 30, 1941. Expenditures for all purposes by the state Department of Public Welfare in the first six months of 1940 aggregated $10,963,674, compared with $9,323,155 for the same period in 1939. This included funds for old-age pensions, aid to dependent children, aid to the blind, child welfare, etc., and also includes grants from the Federal Government. Disbursements for old-age pensions aggregated $6,584,800 in 1939 and $8,022,192 in 1940. Colorado's average monthly pension payment for the year ending June 30, 1940, was $33,75 per recipient. It was exceeded only by California, and was $13,65 more than the average for the United States.

Political Matters.

The November election resulted in a considerable change in the political complexion of the state government. The present Republican Governor was reelected and his party gained control of the state executive council of five, of which he is one, the Republican majority now being four to one as against a Democratic majority of three to two in the term ending in January, 1941. The next House of Representatives has a Republican majority. The Senate remains Democratic by a majority of one.

Events of the Year.

Colorado is rapidly working into the national defense program. At present the principal activity is in Army development. Denver's Lowry Air Field and the Army's technical school are being enlarged as fast as workmen can provide facilities. The school took over Fort Logan on Jan. 1, 1941, to use it as a training-school for Army clerical help. Fitzsimmons General Hospital is being enlarged, by the construction of a new unit costing $3,750,000. At this post extensive training for the medical service is to be undertaken. Eastern industries have been bidding against local concerns for trained engineers, and more than 1,300 were taken out of this area during the fall of 1940. To meet this situation the engineering schools of the state are inaugurating plans for technical training on a large scale, with the purpose of being able to supply trained men with actual experience as soon as local plants are ready to take over Government contracts.

State Officials.

Governor, Ralph L. Carr; Lieutenant Governor, John C. Vivian; Secretary of State, Walter F. Morrison; State Treasurer, Homer F. Bedford; Auditor of State, Charles M. Armstrong; Attorney General, Gail M. Ireland; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Inez Johnson Lewis.

United States Senators:

Alva B. Adams, Edwin Johnson.

1939: Colorado

Area and Population.

With an area of 66,526,729 acres (103,948 sq. mi.), Colorado ranks seventh among the states in size; and with an estimated population of 1,071,000, it ranks 33rd in that respect. It has the highest mean elevation above sea level (6,800 ft.) of all the states; its altitude ranging from 3,385 ft. in the bed of the Arkansas River on the eastern boundary, to 14,341 ft. (2.72 mi.) at the summit of Mount Elbert in the central part of the state. The Continental Divide runs in a north-south direction through the central part of the state, with waters flowing eastward from it into the Gulf of Mexico and westward into the Pacific.

Colorado's population is about equally divided between rural and urban. Only 9.6 per cent are foreign-born, while 92.8 per cent are white. Denver, the capital, with an estimated population of 315,000, is the largest city. It is also the seat of more Federal Government agencies than any city except Washington. Pueblo, with an estimated population of 55,000, is second in size. It is a large industrial center with iron and steel as the predominant industry. There are six cities with a population ranging from 10,000 to 50,000, of which Colorado Springs (33,237) is the largest.

Education.

The state is well provided with educational facilities. There are 16 colleges and universities for higher education in the state, of which nine are publicly controlled, and seven privately. The average enrollment in these is about 14,000 students during regular terms, and 10,000 in summer terms.

The public school system is extensive, with the state divided into 2,056 districts. Each district is under a county superintendent, and the county superintendents are under a superintendent of public instruction who is elected at biennial elections. The latest figures available show an annual expenditure of $21,500,000 for public schools, of which $10,200,000 is for current expenses and the remainder for capital outlays, debt service, etc. There are 3,072 schools, of which 435 are junior high and senior high schools, and 2,637 are elementary grade schools, including 94 kindergartens. Enrollment includes 171,921 in the grade schools, and 53,601 in the junior and senior high schools; this is exclusive of evening, opportunity, and kindergarten schools, all of which bring the total up to 245,731. The school population (ages 6 to 21) is 306,000.

Agriculture.

Agriculture in 1939 suffered from an unfavorable planting season in May, high winds during the year, and sub-normal rainfall with a general shortage of water for irrigation. As a result, one out of every four acres planted was a failure, and the acreage harvested was only 4,910,000, compared with 5,941,000 in 1938. Higher prices in 1939, however, put the total value of harvested crops at $68,868,000 as against $66,398,000 in 1938.

Mineral Products.

Mining operations as a whole showed a gain in 1939 over the preceding year. Coal production, which ranks first among the state's minerals, was 5,890,000 tons, a gain of 203,000 tons over 1938. The value of the five principal metals mined, gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc, was approximately $22,245,079 in 1939, which compared favorably with $22,073,663 in 1938. Gold, in which Colorado ranks third in the union, showed a slight decrease as did lead, copper and zinc. Silver, however, showed an increase. Molybdenum production was approximately 21,750,000 pounds, a decrease of 6,492,000 pounds, compared with 1938, when a record was established for output. Colorado ranks first in the production of this metal, and produces about 90 per cent of the world's supply. Tungsten concentrates amounted in 1938 to 360 tons.

Industrial Gains.

Manufacturing showed an upward swing in 1939, with estimates for the year being around $250,000,000 for the value of products. In 1937, the census showed a value of $237,838,000, which was an increase of 44.8 per cent over 1935. Colorado leads all states in the manufacture of beet sugar. The manufacture of mining machinery also ranks high, and shipments are made to almost all countries of the world engaged in that industry.

The wholesale and retail business continued also to forge ahead in 1939. The wholesale business had recovered rapidly from the depression, so that in 1937 there was a gain of 44.7 per cent over 1935, which indicated net sales in 1937 of $409,000,000. While the rate of increase subsequently slowed down, higher prices apparently sent the 1939 total to better than $480,000,000. Retail business recovered 26.3 per cent in sales between 1935 and 1937. The next year was less favorable, but in 1939 the volume showed a gain of about 12 per cent. A considerable part of the gain in both wholesale and retail business may be credited to better prices. Colorado's Fair Trade Practices Act is in full force and under its provisions the business is strictly policed by the organizations of the different types of business. These, in effect, set the prices by establishing minimums under which most commodities must not be sold. The Federal Department of Labor uses Denver prices as the basis of its indices for Colorado. Washington reports that Denver prices have increased more since the European war started than in any other representative city except Boston and Washington. Since August 15, 1939, eleven selected items showed a price increase of 14.7 per cent.

Gains in Other Fields.

Motor vehicle license collections established a new high in 1939, the first nine months yielding a revenue of $2,226,508 and exceeding the total for any previous year. Building permits in the first nine months gained nearly 100 per cent, the total being $11,463,118, against $5,662,000 in the same period in 1938. Title sales, for the same period, were 127,700 against 118,212. Resources of state banks for the fiscal year increased by $4,972,000.

Finance and Public Welfare.

The state's financial condition on the whole is satisfactory. Appropriations for the year ending June 30, 1940, are $11,432,866, and total estimated revenues are $11,391,100. Revenues may exceed estimates sufficiently to take care of the comparatively slight excess of appropriations. Difficulties are in the offing, however, on account of recent court decisions. The courts ruled during 1939 that 85 per cent of liquor licenses collected by cities and towns must go into the old-age pension fund of the state, the same as funds from state licenses, and this has embarrassed some of the municipalities, including Denver. Another court decision decreed that the Department of Public Welfare must certify the $45 per month minimum for old-age pensions to all qualified persons in accordance with the Constitutional provision, regardless of whether there is money available to pay them. The state has in the past portioned out payments according to funds available, but with one or two exceptions these have been from $10 to $12 below the $45. The same decision made probable a requirement that the state make up for past deficiencies in these payments. This would take close to $10,000,000. However, these decisions are to be appealed to the Supreme court for final determination. In 1939 pension payments aggregated $13,773,686. That amount included funds received from the Federal Government.

Other public welfare payments during 1939 included $103,317 for burials, $1,712,815 for aid to dependent children, $209,848 for aid to the blind, and $2,211,032 state funds for relief. These do not include county expenditures for these purposes, nor administrative expenses, but do include Federal aid. The old-age pension amendment provides that 85 per cent of all liquor licenses and fees; 85 per cent of retail sales taxes; 85 per cent of use taxes; 10 per cent of inheritance taxes, and 10 per cent of incorporation fees shall go into the old-age pension fund. These requirements in the Constitution intensify the problem for the state, counties and municipalities in raising funds by taxation for other purposes. Another move is therefore under way to remove this difficulty at the November election through a measure to be submitted to a vote taking the requirements out of the Constitution and delegating the authority to the Legislature.

Colorado's $25,000,000-road building campaign, inaugurated in 1936, was practically completed during the year. The required loan, to be repaid out of revenues, makes the question of funds for 1940 something of a problem. Federal building activity in Colorado will continue throughout 1940, this including the continued construction of the Army Air Corps technical school at Lowry Field, which ultimately is expected to cost $10,000,000; a $3,000,000 general hospital at the Fitzsimmons General Hospital; a $1,800,000 Federal prison; a $1,680,000 Federal housing project in Denver, and lesser undertakings in various directions. (See also RECLAMATION.)

State Officers.

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.

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.