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.

20. October 2015 · Comments Off on Ship’s Crest Design Finalized · Categories: Ship's Crest

The winning entry in the Ship’s Crest Design Contest held earlier this year was LTJG Michael Nielsen of Arvada, Colorado who is now assigned to the crew of Colorado. Since reporting to the boat, he has worked with the command to make several enhancements to the design before it is finalized. The final Ships’s Crest design is shown below. Some of the modification from the original include:

  • The shape of the crest was made taller to make it more coin and patch friendly.
  • Inclusion of seven stars to signify the seven battle stars earned by the Battleship Colorado (BB 45) in World War II.
  • Modifying the Latin phrase to “Terra Marique Indomita” which means “By land and sea, untamed”. In this form the Latin implies that Colorado, or the “spirit” embodied by the name (the state, the vessel, the past vessels, the people), is untamed by either land or sea.
  • The submarine was updated to look more realistic and added in a slight wake around it to highlight the reflection as being water and give the appearance of ship movement.
  • Detail was improved in the mountains to improve realism.
  • The sun was given a stronger gradient to give it a better appearance of the sun resting on the horizon just over the mountains, this in order to emphasize the ties with the state’s natural beauty and the beauty of technological prowess that is USS Colorado.
USS Colorado Ship's Crest

USS Colorado Ship’s Crest

09. June 2015 · Comments Off on Senior Division Ship’s Crest Contest Winner visits Colorado · Categories: Ship's Crest

The winner of the Ship’s Crest Design Contest, LTJG Michael Nielson was in Colorado last week on leave between finishing up his Nuclear Power Training and reporting to USS Colorado. Mike is a native of Arvada and was home to visit his parents, Chris and Bruce Nielson. The Committee used his visit as an opportunity meet him and acknowledge his win by presenting him with a ceremonial check.

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30. April 2015 · Comments Off on Crest Design Contest Winner Announced · Categories: Ship's Crest

After reviewing over 140 entries, the Commanding Officer and crew have selected Michael Nielson as the winner of the Senior Division Ship’s Crest Design Contest. Michael hails from Arvada and is currently an Ensign in the Navy undergoing Nuclear Power Training in Ballston Spa, New York. His design will be made into the official ship’s crest.

The winner in the Junior Division has not yet been decided.

Michael Nielson Design

Michael Nielson Design