Colorado Organic Act

It was created as the free Territory of Colorado. The new territory is created from the Former unorganized territory previously part of the Territory of Kansas, the northern portion of the Territory of New Mexico, the eastern portion of the Territory of Utah, and the southwestern portion of the Territory of Nebraska. The new name is chosen because the Colorado River is thought to originate somewhere in the territory. The boundaries of the Colorado Territory are essentially the same as the present State of Colorado.