The 38th state to be admitted to the Union, August 1, 1876. The first Catholic church was built in 1858 at Los Conejos, in the southern part of the state, by members of a Spanish colony who had come from New Mexico in 1852. This church and others at Trinidad and La Costilla were served by missionary priests sent out by Bishop Lamy of Santa Fe. In 1860 the latter appointed Reverend Joseph P Machebreuf and Reverend Jean B Raverdy to establish a parish in Denver.
Catholic influence on the place-names of the state is shown in the following:
Ecclesiastical divisions in the state include,
See also,