Welcome

Welcome to USS Colorado (SSN-788) Commissioning Committee web site. USS Colorado (SSN-788) is the 15th Virginia Class submarine. She was delivered to the Navy on September 21, 2017. Having completed shakedown operations, she was commissioned on March 17, 2018 at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, CT. The Committee's purposes are to promote awareness within the state, provide support for the crew, and to help organize and raise money for the events surrounding commissioning.

Commissioning Committee Hosts Other Events

27. March 2018 · Comments Off on Commissioning Committee Hosts Other Events · Categories: Commissioning, Other Event

In addition to the events on Saturday, the commissioning committee hosted a number of other events starting on Thursday. On Thursday evening they hosted a party for the crew featuring a New England clambake. About 500 of the crew, their families, former crew and Commissioning Committee attended. During the event the Commanding Officer, Commander Reed Koepp, presented dolphins to several of the ship’s crew and held a promotion ceremony for the new ship’s engineer, Derik Rothchild, to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. The Commissioning Committee took this opportunity to present plank owner plaques to the crew along with other gifts. The Committee donated to each crew member Spyder jackets embroidered with the ship’s crest, a coin set commemorating each of the key events in the ship’s construction, and a special silver coin minted with silver from Colorado.

On Friday a special brunch was held for the ship’s sponsor Annie Mabus and was hosted by Mrs. Mary Anne Pitts, wife of Rear Admiral Pitts, at their quarters on the Submarine Base. It was a small event, including her dad, former Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, her Maid of Honor Jess Ladd, the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer and Chief of the Boat and their spouses. Representing Colorado were a few members of the Commissioning Committee as well as Larry Mizel, Chairman of Richmond American Homes Foundation, presenting sponsor for the committee events, Maj. Gen. Michael Lowe and his wife Diane, the Adjutant General of the State of Colorado.

In the afternoon another New England clambake was held for sponsors, major donors and special guests. The Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) department on the Submarine Base did another fantastic job in serving this clambake. Approximately 400 people attended this event including Governor Hickenlooper, photographer John Fielder, sculptor George Lundeen, CEO of Left Hand Brewing, Eric Wallace, Annie Mabus and her dad, former Secretary of the Navy Mabus, Maj. Gen. Loh and Mrs. Loh and the veterans from battleship Colorado. During the day on Friday a number of people were given tours of the submarine.

That evening the Chairman’s Reception was held at the Mystic Marriott Hotel. There were about 400 people present to enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and beer and wine supplied by our Colorado sponsors. During the reception, Steffan Tubbs broadcast live on 710KNUS to his audience in Colorado as he interviewed members of the crew, Committee and other in attendance, including Governor Hickenlooper. To start off the program the Electric Boat singing group, the Subtones, sang several songs related to Colorado with a backdrop of John Fielder’s Colorado landscape photographs. Several sponsors and individuals presented gifts to the ship, including Julianne Hish who presented a stained-glass replica of the ship’s crest. The Commissioning Committee also presented several gifts including exercise equipment donated by TRX company and a special plaque with a challenge to the crew from battleship veterans that will be mounted in the boat. All the battleship veterans present joined onstage to present a specially engraved ship’s bell created by sculptor George Lundeen on behalf of the BB-45 Association.

Overall the activities of Commissioning Week were a memorable, once in a lifetime experience. All present seemed to overwhelmingly enjoy the events.

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USS Colorado Commissioned

18. March 2018 · Comments Off on USS Colorado Commissioned · Categories: Commissioning, KeyEvent

On March 17 USS Colorado (SSN 788) was commissioned at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. Over 2,000 people were in attendance on this blustery March day. Speaking at the ceremony were Jennifer Boykin, President of Huntington Ingalls Newport News, Jeffrey Geiger, President of General Dynamics Electric Boat, Representative Joe Courtney from Connecticut’s Second District, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal, Governor John Hickenlooper from Colorado along with both Colorado Senators Cory Gardner and Michael Bennett and Assistant Secretary of the Navy James Gurerts. Retired Marine Corps Major Mark Davis brought Cadets Alexzander Rosenbaum, Theodore Rosack, Jonathan Large, and Dylan Loewenstein from the Widefield High School NJROTC unit in Colorado Springs to participate as the Color Guard. The invocation and benediction were given by Colonel Andrew Meverden, retired Chaplain of the Colorado Army National Guard. Also on the platform were Admiral Frank Caldwell, Director Navy Nuclear Reactors, Vice Admiral Joseph Tofalo, Commander Submarine Forces, Rear Admiral Michael Jabaley, PEO submarines, retired Navy Captain John Mackin, Chairman of the USS Colorado Commissioning Committee and of course the ship’s sponsor, Annie Mabus.

Here is a video of the ceremony

Also, on the platform was Battleship Colorado veteran, Ken Jones, who participated in the ceremony as the veteran passing the traditional long glass to the oncoming watch. A highlight of the ceremony was the presence of five additional veterans from BB-45, Davey Jones, Wayne Kizer, Jack Paris, Charlie Ripper and Randall Toop.

Adm. Frank Caldwell was the senior naval officer present and placed Colorado in commission. Following the raising of the commissioning pennant, Annie Mabus gave the order “Man our ship and bring her to life”, after which the crew broke formation and ran onto the ship. It was a stirring ceremony.

Afterwards, the Commissioning Committee hosted a reception at the head of the pier for all those present. The reception featured Colorado themed food and beverage, including Buffalo sliders with bison meat donated by Frontiere Natural Meats of Denver. Left Hand Brewing supplied beer including their special release IPA, Pride Runs Deep, brewed in honor of this commissioning, and Balistreri Vineyards of Denver supplied the wine. For dessert a cake made with the Vollmer family recipe was donated by the family. This cake recipe had previously been served in the White House.

Pictures of the Ceremony below. For a comprehensive list of the media coverage of Commissioning Week visit here

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USS Colorado Crest on Display at State Capitol

15. March 2018 · Comments Off on USS Colorado Crest on Display at State Capitol · Categories: Other Event

On Friday March 9th, several members of the Committee attended the unveiling of a plaque of the USS Colorado’s Crest that will be on permanent display at the State Capitol. This crest was donated and presented to thee Governor by the Colorado Thirty Group of Colorado Springs and is a replica of the one they donated to the boat which is now mounted in the Wardroom. State Senator Bob Gardner coordinated the presentation with Rep. Pete Lee and Rep. Larry Liston also making remarks in addition to Governor Hickenlooper. The Governor relayed that he was looking forward to the Commissioning next week and to touring USS Colorado. He also thanked the Committee for their work in getting ready for the commissioning. Attending from the Committee were JJ Mackin, Florence Mackin, Dan Puleio, Bruce Mardsen, Joe Mahaffee and Chris and Bruce Nielson. Also in attendance was Pat Meyers, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, long time supporter of the Committee and former submariner.

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Shout out to Colorado

10. March 2018 · Comments Off on Shout out to Colorado · Categories: Commissioning, News & Updates, Other Event, USS Colorado

Here is a shout out to the state of Colorado from the crew of our new namesake submarine!

Invitation Status Update

05. March 2018 · Comments Off on Invitation Status Update · Categories: Commissioning, News & Updates

Several persons have emailed that they have not received their tickets. The Navy Commissioning Support Team, the organization  that is sending out the invitation and tickets, has provided the following update:

“There were some delays in sending out some of the tickets, but all of the invitation and ticket requests that we have received up to last Friday afternoon have been mailed.  I am confident that all folks that responded prior to last Friday will receive their tickets within the next couple of days.

 For any guest that does not receive their tickets prior to leaving for Groton, we ask that they let us know directly by emailing:

COLORADOREPLY@McKean-Defense.com.  We will work with them to determine if it is convenient for them to pick up their tickets at “will call”, if we should deliver tickets to their hotel, or if the tickets should be shipped by Federal Express.”

Other notes:

  • If you have requested a ticket you are on the list and will receive a ticket.
  • If you are Crew Family recall that the ship is handling your invitations. We are forwarding all family communications to them
  • If you have received an invitation, please RSVP per the instructions in your packet.
  • There has been some confusion for those that received invitations to the Chairman’s Reception and / or Platform Briefing as to how to RSVP. The address provided is a link to a web page and not an email address. Typing that address into your web browser will bring you to the right place.
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