# Northern Colorado
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> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Colorado
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{{for|the university|University of Northern Colorado}}{{Cleanup|date=August 2025|reason=Article disorganized, lacking history and needs to be cleaned up or reorganized. Majority of article is based around the proposed state in the region.}}{{Update|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Northern Colorado
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| settlement_type = [Region](/source/Region)
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| subdivision_name1 = {{Flag|Colorado}}
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'''Northern Colorado''', or alternatively called '''North Colorado''', is a region in the northern portion of [Colorado](/source/Colorado). It borders [northwestern Colorado](/source/northwestern_Colorado), northeastern Colorado, the northern portion of [Central Colorado](/source/Central_Colorado), western and southwestern portions of [Nebraska](/source/Nebraska), and the southeastern portion of [Wyoming](/source/Wyoming). Northern Colorado receives over 300 days of sunshine per year and has a [semi-arid climate](/source/semi-arid_climate). However, the parts located in upper elevations of the [Rocky Mountains](/source/Rocky_Mountains) receive {{convert|300|in|cm}} of snow per year and have an [Alpine climate](/source/Alpine_climate). The [University of Colorado Boulder](/source/University_of_Colorado_Boulder), [Colorado State University](/source/Colorado_State_University), and the [University of Northern Colorado](/source/University_of_Northern_Colorado) are all located in Northern Colorado.[{{cite web|url=http://www.ncedc.com/docs/NC_DemProfile_NCEDC+blank.pdf|title=www.ncedc.com is Expired or Suspended.|website=www.ncedc.com|access-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503124741/http://www.ncedc.com/docs/NC_DemProfile_NCEDC+blank.pdf|archive-date=3 May 2018}}] The region is a [proposed state](/source/51st_state) in the northeastern portion of Colorado.
== Counties and Cities ==
=== Counties ===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[Adams County](/source/Adams_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Arapahoe County](/source/Arapahoe_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Boulder County](/source/Boulder_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Broomfield City-County](/source/City_and_County_of_Broomfield%2C_Colorado)
*[Cheyenne County](/source/Cheyenne_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Elbert County](/source/Elbert_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Jackson County](/source/Jackson_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Kit Carson County](/source/Kit_Carson_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Larimer County](/source/Larimer_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Lincoln County](/source/Lincoln_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Logan County](/source/Logan_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Morgan County](/source/Morgan_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Phillips County](/source/Phillips_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Sedgwick County](/source/Sedgwick_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Washington County](/source/Washington_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Weld County](/source/Weld_County%2C_Colorado)
*[Yuma County](/source/Yuma_County%2C_Colorado)
{{div col end}}
===Larger cities===
* [Boulder](/source/Boulder%2C_Colorado)
* [Broomfield](/source/Broomfield%2C_Colorado)
* [Fort Collins](/source/Fort_Collins%2C_Colorado)
* [Greeley](/source/Greeley%2C_Colorado)
* [Longmont](/source/Longmont%2C_Colorado)
* [Loveland](/source/Loveland%2C_Colorado)
==Education==
Notably, Northern Colorado is home to several of the state's largest universities:
===Community/technical colleges===
*[Aims Community College](/source/Aims_Community_College) ([Greeley](/source/Greeley%2C_Colorado), [Loveland](/source/Loveland%2C_Colorado), [Windsor](/source/Windsor%2C_Colorado), [Fort Lupton](/source/Fort_Lupton%2C_Colorado))
*[Front Range Community College](/source/Front_Range_Community_College) ([Fort Collins](/source/Fort_Collins), [Longmont](/source/Longmont%2C_Colorado))
*[Morgan Community College](/source/Morgan_Community_College) ([Fort Morgan](/source/Fort_Morgan%2C_Colorado))
*[Northeastern Junior College](/source/Northeastern_Junior_College) ([Sterling](/source/Sterling%2C_Colorado))
===Four-year colleges/universities===
*[Colorado State University](/source/Colorado_State_University) ([Fort Collins](/source/Fort_Collins))
*[Naropa University](/source/Naropa_University) ([Boulder](/source/Boulder%2C_Colorado))
*[University of Colorado-Boulder](/source/University_of_Colorado-Boulder) ([Boulder](/source/Boulder%2C_Colorado))
*[University of Northern Colorado](/source/University_of_Northern_Colorado) ([Greeley](/source/Greeley%2C_Colorado))
==Potential state==
{{See also|List of U.S. state partition proposals}}
{{wikinews|Colorado counties consider forming new U.S. state}}
thumb|Counties involved in the proposed state of North Colorado.
'''North Colorado''' or '''Northern Colorado''' is a proposed new [U.S. state](/source/U.S._state) which would consist of [several counties](/source/List_of_counties_in_Colorado) in the northeast portion of [Colorado](/source/Colorado)[{{cite news|title=Several counties want to secede from Colorado|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/several-counties-want-to-secede-from-colorado/|access-date=9 June 2013|newspaper=CBS News|date=June 9, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609210353/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57588393/several-counties-want-to-secede-from-colorado/|archive-date=9 June 2013}}][{{cite news|last=Wiersema|first=Alisa|title=Northeast Colo. Wants to Be Separate State|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/06/northeast-corner-of-colo-seeks-statehood/|access-date=June 9, 2013|newspaper=ABC News|date=June 7, 2013}}] and possible counties from [Nebraska](/source/Nebraska)[ and [Kansas](/source/Kansas).][
A [University of Colorado](/source/University_of_Colorado) law professor has indicated that an additional step would be required beyond the approval of the state legislature and the U.S. Congress, as the [Colorado Constitution](/source/Constitution_of_Colorado) defines the state's boundaries, thus requiring a vote on a constitutional amendment.][Analisa Romano. [http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/6822670-113/commissioners-county-state-colorado "Weld County commissioners propose formation of new state, North Colorado"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611100845/http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/6822670-113/commissioners-county-state-colorado |date=2013-06-11 }} June 6, 2013. Greeley Tribune. Retrieved July 12, 2013]
===Background===
A county commissioner of [Weld County](/source/Weld_County%2C_Colorado) stated his belief that the county sends more oil and gas revenue to the state than it receives back for schools, roads, and other services. In 2013, the [Democratic](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States))-controlled [Colorado General Assembly](/source/Colorado_General_Assembly) passed tighter gun control laws, higher [renewable energy](/source/renewable_energy) reliance laws, and livestock treatment laws. A higher environmental standard oil and gas production law was narrowly defeated. During the debates over these laws, talk of [secession](/source/List_of_state_partition_proposals_in_the_United_States) began in the Eastern Plains area. At a meeting of the state's county commissioners in early June, a State House leader indicated that they would attempt to pass the oil environmental standards law again. This brought the secession discussion to a higher level with Weld County Commissioners Mike Freeman, Sean Conway, and Douglas Rademacher leading the proposal with a hearing scheduled regarding counties placing secession questions on the November 2013 ballot.[{{cite news|last=Malone|first=Patrick|title=Rural Colorado counties propose 51st state|url=http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20130606/NEWS01/306060026/Rural-Colorado-counties-propose-51st-state|access-date=9 June 2013|newspaper=Coloradoan|date=June 6, 2013}}]
===History===
thumb|Eleven counties asked voters if they supported seceding from Colorado. Counties shown in orange voted in favor of secession; counties shown in blue voted against.
Along with [Weld County](/source/Weld_County%2C_Colorado), several other counties were invited to or interested in being involved with this proposal: [Morgan](/source/Morgan_County%2C_Colorado), [Logan](/source/Logan_County%2C_Colorado), [Sedgwick](/source/Sedgwick_County%2C_Colorado), [Phillips](/source/Phillips_County%2C_Colorado), [Washington](/source/Washington_County%2C_Colorado), [Yuma](/source/Yuma_County%2C_Colorado), and [Kit Carson](/source/Kit_Carson_County%2C_Colorado). Also interested in joining the new state are parts of [Nebraska](/source/Nebraska).[{{cite news|title=Secession Plan Floated By Some Northern Colorado Leaders|url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/06/07/secession-colorado-north-northern-weld-county/|access-date=June 9, 2013|newspaper=[KCNC](/source/KCNC)|date=June 7, 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610172843/http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/06/07/secession-colorado-north-northern-weld-county/|archive-date=June 10, 2013}}] Colorado's Eastern Plain counties all may possibly be involved in the split, but [Larimer County](/source/Larimer_County%2C_Colorado) Commissioners indicated that their county would not likely approve of a split.[
On July 8, 2013, a meeting of representatives from 10 counties was held in [Akron, Colorado](/source/Akron%2C_Colorado) to begin setting the boundaries of the potential state. The news media reported that some people in [Lincoln](/source/Lincoln_County%2C_Colorado) and [Cheyenne](/source/Cheyenne_County%2C_Colorado) counties wish to join in forming the state. Additionally, the organizers reported that three other Colorado and two [Kansas](/source/Kansas) counties also wish to join in forming the state. The county commissioners involved discussed an alternative plan, if breaking away was not feasible, to change the [Colorado Constitution](/source/Constitution_of_the_State_of_Colorado) to have one [state senator](/source/Colorado_Senate) per county.][{{cite news |last=Boyd |first=Shaun |title=Effort To Create New State Called 'North Colorado' Grows |url=http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/07/09/effort-to-create-new-state-called-north-colorado-grows/ |access-date=July 12, 2013 |newspaper=[KCNC](/source/KCNC) |date=July 9, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711235844/http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/07/09/effort-to-create-new-state-called-north-colorado-grows/ |archive-date=July 11, 2013 }}]
[Cheyenne County](/source/Cheyenne_County%2C_Colorado)—outside the original proposed area— became the first county to refer the measure to the people on July 23, 2013.[{{cite news|last=Brachfeld|first=Aaron|title=Cheyenne County votes secession, Eastern Co to follow?|url=http://meadowlarkherald.blogspot.com/2013/07/cheyenne-county-votes-secession-eastern.html|access-date=28 July 2013|newspaper=the Meadowlark Herald|date=24 July 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003062642/http://meadowlarkherald.blogspot.com/2013/07/cheyenne-county-votes-secession-eastern.html|archive-date=3 October 2013}}] A total of eleven counties placed the measure on the November 5, 2013, ballot.[Barabak, Mark Z. September 22, 2013. [http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-adv-colorado-rural-secession-20130923,0,4273759.story?track=rss Secession drive gathers steam in rural Colorado] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928082031/http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-adv-colorado-rural-secession-20130923,0,4273759.story?track=rss |date=2013-09-28 }}. Los Angeles Times. Accessed on September 23, 2013.] Voters in Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Phillips, Washington, and Yuma counties approved the measure.[[http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24461077/11-counties-weigh-secession-from-colorado-formation-51st Whaley, Monty. "51st state question answered "yes" in 6 of 11 counties contemplating secession," ''The Denver Post'', 5 November 2013] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106175710/http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24461077/11-counties-weigh-secession-from-colorado-formation-51st |date=6 November 2013 }}, accessed 6 November 2013.]
===Counties===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*Ballot initiative counties
**[Cheyenne](/source/Cheyenne_County%2C_Colorado)
**[Elbert](/source/Elbert_County%2C_Colorado)
**[Kit Carson](/source/Kit_Carson_County%2C_Colorado)i
**[Lincoln](/source/Lincoln_County%2C_Colorado)
**[Logan](/source/Logan_County%2C_Colorado)i
**[Moffat](/source/Moffat_County%2C_Colorado)
**[Phillips](/source/Phillips_County%2C_Colorado)i
**[Sedgwick](/source/Sedgwick_County%2C_Colorado)i
**[Washington](/source/Washington_County%2C_Colorado)i
**[Weld](/source/Weld_County%2C_Colorado)i
**[Yuma](/source/Yuma_County%2C_Colorado)i
*[Kansas](/source/Kansas) counties - under consideration
**[Cheyenne](/source/Cheyenne_County%2C_Kansas)
**[Wallace](/source/Wallace_County%2C_Kansas)[[http://www.51ststate.org/tp50/page.asp?id=314895 Status of My County] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928183745/http://www.51ststate.org/tp50/page.asp?id=314895 |date=2013-09-28 }}. [http://www.51ststate.org/ 51st State Initiative] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621172055/http://www.51ststate.org/ |date=2011-06-21 }}. Accessed on September 23, 2013.]
*Other counties
**[Morgan](/source/Morgan_County%2C_Colorado)i
:i. initial invited county[
{{div col end}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://www.51ststate.org/ 51st State Initiative] - secession campaign group
{{Colorado}}
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{{Authority control}}
Category:Politics of Colorado
Category:Proposed states and territories of the United States
Category:Regions of Colorado
Category:Separatism in the United States
Category:2013 in Colorado
Category:2013 in American politics
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Northern Colorado](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Colorado) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Colorado?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.
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