The USS Colorado Commissioning Committee is proud to announce that we have established a $100,000 scholarship fund benefiting the crew and families of USS Colorado (SSN 788). This long-term goal of the Committee was made possible through the generous donations by citizens and companies of Colorado and others who contributed to their fundraising campaign. Each year two $ 2,000 scholarships may be awarded to crew members, former crew members or members of their families. The scholarship fund will be administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation.

USS Colorado (SSN 788) is the 15^th of the Virginia Class of attack submarines. She was commissioned in Groton, CT on March 17^th, 2018. About 2,000 persons were present to witness this momentous event. The crew consists of about 120 enlisted and 14 officers who hail from all regions of the United States.

The Dolphin Scholarship Foundation was established in 1960 to assist children of the U.S. Submarine Force with college scholarships. Funds are raised through the financial support of submarine spouse organizations and the submarine community as well as support from individuals, corporations, memorial gifts and Combined Federal Campaign. 

The USS Colorado Commissioning Committee was founded in 2013 to generate support for the Commissioning and raise money to fund the traditional events surrounding that event. Part of the fundraising goal was to establish this scholarship fund. The Committee is in the process of creating a new organization to provide for long-term support of the crew and families for the duration of the planned 33-year lifespan of the boat.

The submarine Colorado is the fourth U.S. Navy vessel to bear the Colorado name.  The first USS Colorado (Screw Frigate) commissioned in 1858 was named after the Colorado River, the second USS Colorado (AC 7) was an armored cruiser commissioned in 1905, and the third USS Colorado (BB 45) was the lead ship of its class and was commissioned in 1923 and served with great distinction in World War II, earning seven battle stars for actions in the major campaigns of the Pacific theater. 

For more coverage of the scholarship fund see this Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Article

On July 21st the Committee, in conjunction with sponsor Charles Schwab, presented a framed picture of the ship’s crest to Senator Cory Gardner. On hand were Committee members Ryan Schwab, Dick Cooper and Florence Mackin along with several members of Charles Schwab organization at the Schwab campus in Lone Tree. Several members of Senator Gardner’s staff were also on hand, including 3 interns working for the summer in his Denver office. The Senator was interested in the activities of the committee over the past 3 years. He was proud to add his signature to our “traveling” picture of a Virginia Class submarine, and was quite impressed with the picture of the ship’s crest which will hang in his office in Washington, DC.

In ceremonies at the State Capitol on June 5th, Governor Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 17-183, Support for USS Colorado Commissioning into law. The bill appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs to make grants for the purpose paying for expenses related to the commissioning of USS Colorado, promoting awareness of USS Colorado within the state; and to support the crew.

Twelve members of the committee and six sailors from the local Navy Recruiting District office were in attendance. One of the sailors, MMN1 Scott Gold, currently has orders to report to USS Colorado in September as a permanent member of the crew.

Those attending Included Sandie Bourassa, daughter of recently deceased WWII submarine Veteran Andy Palenchar. Andy was the sailor who pulled LTJG George H. W. Bush from the Pacific after the future President was shot down. Andy went on to serve as an officer in the Army, serving in Korea and two tours in Vietnam retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was an active participants in USS Colorado events here.

Also on display at the signing was the ship’s bell that will be on USS Colorado. The bell is a gift from the USS Colorado Battleship (BB45) Association to the submarine and cast by noted Colorado sculptor George Lundeen. The bell was rung in celebration upon the signing of the bill.

While this grant means that we have met our fundraising goal, we are still accepting donations. Money raised in excess of our obligations will go to a scholarship fund for crew’s families administered by the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation and will also help fund future crew visits to the state after commissioning.