Eliza Routt:
Colorado’s Original First Lady
by
Joyce B. Lohse
She was referred to as the “Martha Washington of Colorado”. Described as queenly in manner, Eliza Pickrell Routt was a pioneer in the struggle for women’s rights during Colorado’s early days. As wife of John Routt, thrice Colorado Governor, Denver Mayor, rancher, and Bonanza King, she worked in partnership with her prominent husband for the good of the community and as a public servant to achieve rights and education for women. Until now, Eliza Routt has been overlooked by state historians.
Eliza and John Routt arrived in Denver City in 1875. Appointed as Territorial Governor, John Routt tackled the formidable job of ushering Colorado into statehood. He was then elected by popular vote to serve as the first state governor, with Eliza as Colorado’s first lady.
During Victorian times, a proper woman never made news except during a birth, marriage, or death. As Colorado’s original first lady, it was up to Eliza to establish the precedent of behavior through her position. She somehow managed to maintain the delicate balance of proper conduct and appearance while exercising her considerable intellect and power as a public figure to improve life for women of the state.
Eliza’s initial involvement was in the newly formed Central Christian Church in Denver. From that beginning, she built alliances with other prominent women to accomplish public service. This led to management positions with the Woman’s Home Club, Colorado Women’s College, and an offshoot of the Ladies Relief Society, which became the Denver Orphan’s Home Association, a charity especially important to her. Eliza had been orphaned at an early age during her pioneer upbringing in Illinois.
As her husband’s popularity and involvement in public life grew, so did Eliza’s. After much work, John had the good fortune to strike it rich in his Leadville silver mine. With newly acquired wealth, he purchased a fine Denver mansion for Eliza and the family. They generously entertained their political acquaintances often but without pretense or regard for partisan political affiliation.
Eliza poured her efforts into the struggle for women’s suffrage. John’s name appeared on lists of public figures in favor of women’s suffrage. Whether Eliza influenced John on the subject is difficult to determine, although she must have been vocal with her opinions in his presence. He did not hesitate to appear in public to support Susan B. Anthony, who traveled to Denver and Leadville to campaign for the cause.
Suffrage finally passed in 1893, making Colorado the second state after Wyoming to allow the voting privilege for women. The community honored Eliza Routt by designating her as the first woman registered to vote in Colorado. In 1895, Eliza became the first woman to serve on the Colorado Board of Agriculture at the State Agricultural College (now Colorado State University) in Fort Collins. During her decade of work on the board, she exercised her commitment to educational opportunities for women by developing a School of Domestic Economy, allowing women a new foothold in higher education.
The Routts involvement in public service slowed only when poor health hindered them. After a fulfilling life of working closely together to help formulate Colorado, John and Eliza Routt both died in 1907, only five months apart. Eliza was remembered as dignified and unpretentious, yet progressive and outspoken in her views in favor of women’s rights. She steadily maintained her family and the governor’s household while providing an exemplary model as an activist for the good of Colorado and its women.
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Joyce B. Lohse, a Colorado resident since 1974, is the author of First Governor, First Lady – John and Eliza Routt of Colorado, published by Filter Press in 2002.
Joyce B. Lohse
inkwell@nilenet.com
February 23, 2002