Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold Kicks-Off 2019-2020 School Year for Eliza Pickrell Routt Award

Denver, August 26, 2019 – On the 99th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment, and in honor of the award’s namesake, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold is today kicking off the 2019-2020 school year for the Eliza Pickrell Routt Award. The Eliza Pickrell Routt Award is given to Colorado high schools that have 85% of eligible seniors registered to vote.

This award, created in 2016, is named after Eliza Pickrell Routt, the first woman registered to vote in Colorado after the state's passage of women's suffrage in 1893. Eliza served as Colorado's first First Lady -- her husband John Routt was elected as Colorado's first governor in 1876. In this role, she dedicated herself to equal rights for women and the passage of women's suffrage. Routt helped Colorado become the second state to allow women to vote, the first by popular vote. In honor of her commitment to the passage of women's suffrage, Routt was the first woman registered to vote in Colorado.

“Eliza Pickrell Routt’s legacy exemplifies the importance of using your voice and fighting to expand and protect the right to vote,” said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold. "This award honors that legacy by reminding young Coloradans that they have the opportunity to help shape the future of our state and our country with their vote."

Next year, eligible 17-year-old Coloradans can register and vote in the Presidential and State Primaries if they will turn 18 by the November General Election. Eligible 16- and 17-year-old Coloradans can also pre-register to vote. 

Eliza Pickrell Routt did not live to see the passage of the 19th Amendment, but her work in Colorado paved the way for its passage. It took more than 25 years for the rest of the nation to follow Colorado’s lead and pass women’s suffrage. On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment was certified to the U.S. Constitution, giving women the right to vote. This did not translate to all, as many women of color across the United States continued to face barriers to vote. Colorado ratified the 19th Amendment on December 15, 1919. In 1973, Congress designated August 26th Women’s Equality Day in commemoration of the day the 19th Amendment was certified to the U.S. Constitution.

The Colorado Secretary of State’s office is asking teachers, students, principals and community members interested in learning more about the award to sign up on the Colorado Secretary of State’s website at https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/RouttAward.html. Eligible Coloradans can register to vote at govotecolorado.com.

Secretary Griswold is the only woman currently serving in a statewide Constitutional office and is the first Democratic woman to serve as Colorado Secretary of State.