The date for USS Colorado Christening is confirmed for December 3rd. Electric Boat has asked for input for those desiring an invitation to the event. Inputs are due to them before the end of the month, so if you would like an invitation, please complete the form by October 26th.

Once the list has been submitted to Electric Boat, the formal invitations will go out. You must respond to the formal invitation to gain admittance to the Christening.

The shipyard will have a reception after the Christening but space is very limited and only a few from Colorado will get to attend. The Commissioning Committee will be holding our own reception, but the details have not been finalized. We will send the information to those who indicate a desire to attend the Christening.

The list of individuals desiring invitations has been forwarded to Electric Boat 

USS Colorado Commissioning Committee is proud to host a reception and fund raising event on April 8 at Balistreri Vineyards. Guest speaker will retired Vice Admiral Jay Donnelly, former Commander of U.S. Submarine Forces. We also hope to have several members of the crew in town for the event.

Registration is now open. Visit our web page to find out more and to register for the event.

See the video below about the event:

Committee Members Rick Martin, Steve Kelly and JJ Mackin visited members of Senator Bennet’s Staff on February 19th as part of the Navy League’s grassroots Legislative Affairs Initiative. After discussing the larger Navy issues, Committee Chair JJ Mackin provided an update on USS Colorado (SSN 788). Policy Director Becca Montgomery and Constituent Advocate Alisha Andrews listened with interest and asked that they be kept informed of future events that the Senator may be able to attend.

More than 200 guests joined in the time honored naval tradition of celebrating the Navy’s Birthday. The annual U.S. Navy Birthday Ball was hosted by the Navy League of the United States Colorado Springs Council on October 10, 2015. This Rocky Mountain Region gala was held at the elegant Antlers Hilton in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition to marking the 240th birthday of the Navy, the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Navy Reserve was honored with the theme of “Ready Then. Ready Now. Ready Always.”

The semi-formal evening kicked off with a lively hour of socializing. Guests had the opportunity to greet friends and learn about the fleet’s newest fast attack submarine that is the state’s namesake, USS Colorado (SSN- 788). Information and mementos of the boat were available for the party goers. A focal point was a lighted ice sculpture of a ship’s anchor. The Widefield High School NJROTC Honor Guard presented the colors.

ADM Bill Gortney, Commander of NORAD and USNORTHCOM, was the guest speaker. His remarks to the audience centered upon the integration of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve. He thanked those in attendance for their service to the nation and recognized the youngest personnel present for their devotion to duty.

Following the remembrance of missing and departed comrades in arms, champagne toasts were made to the Commander in Chief and the services. Then guests enjoyed the ceremonial cutting of the Navy birthday cake. At the age of 102, LT James “Jim” Downing, USN (Ret), was honored as the most senior Navy serviceman present. He is one of the oldest known survivors of the Dec. 7, 1941, surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and is a Colorado Springs Council member. At age 18, Hospitalman Apprentice VanEsselstine was the youngest sailor at the celebration and enlisted in 2015. With ADM Gortney and CAPT Bethke cheering them on, LT Downing and HA VanEsselstine cut the birthday cake with the Navy sword.

The planning and execution of the annual U.S. Navy Birthday Ball is a collaboration between the Navy League of the United States Colorado Springs Council and many organizations. The Mile High Tailhook Association, the Rocky Mountain Navy CPO and PO Associations, active duty personnel representing local Navy elements and commands, the USS Colorado (SSN-788) Commissioning Committee, and businesses including O’Donnell & O’Donnell, Copy Experts, Dream Quest Photography, and Colorado’s Morning News on 850KOA are commended for their contributions to this special celebration. Next year’s Navy Ball is planned for October 15th, 2016.

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We are proud to announce the production of two USS Colorado labeled wines by Balistreri Vineyards. Balistreri Vineyards is a proud supporter of the U.S.S. Colorado Commissioning Committee. Winemaker John Balistreri has produced 2 special label wines for the Committee. These are wines the have been selected for service at the Chairman’s Reception during Commissioning Week. Please visit our Merchandise page for links on how to order..