The newest submarine is the fourth ship to be commissioned with the name USS Colorado (SSN-788).  The new submarine was commissioned on March 17, 2018 at Naval Submarine Base New London in Gronton, CT.  Construction of the submarine began in late 2016.  THE USS Colorado is a Virginia-class attack submarine. U.S Senator  Cory Gardner gave the keynote address a the event.

History of Ships Named Colorado

The first USS Colorado was a three masted steam frigate commissioned in 1858 and was named after the Colorado River during the Civil War.  (1858-1876)

The second USS Colorado was an Armored Cruiser and was commissioned in 1905.  She was renamed Pueblo on November 9, 1916 so a newly built battleship could be named Colorado.  (1905 – 1927)

The third USS Colorado (1923-1947) was commissioned on August 30, 1923 and was decommissioned in 1947.

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Ship’s Crest

It is a naval tradition to  display a unique emblem called a Ship’s crest on the ship’s plaque.  A contest was conducted in early 2015 and Michael Nielson was selected as the winning entry.  Michael was born and raised in Colorado and graduated from Ralston Valley High School in Arvada, CO.  Nielson’s design has been modified slightly and adopted as the official ship’s crest.

The crest of USS COLORADO (SSN 788) is contained within the silhouette of the head of a charging mustang, symbolizing the determined nature of the great state of Colorado. This nature of unbridled determination will carry on in the attitude of the crew of USS COLORADO. Official Description of Ship’s Crest

The USS COLORADO Video