Colorado Boys State

The purpose of American Legion Boys state is to identify young leaders and instill in them constructive
attitudes toward the American form of government. The program attempts to show that a democracy
needs an intelligent citizenry and a moral, honest and impartial administration responsive to the will of
the people. Boys State should be thought of as a mythical 51st State with the Constitution, Statutes and
Ordinances constructed by its citizens to govern themselves.

Citizens not only will be required to review knowledge already acquired concerning the political
machinery of state and local government, but they will find themselves performing exactly the same
functions as real office holders in the everyday world even running for office. Delegates learn the duties
of various city, county and state officials, and introduce and argue bills in their own legislature. Each
citizen will have the opportunity to learn for himself that his government is exactly what he makes it.

The entire program is non-partisan. Problems
will be considered without reference to
existing political parties and will be free from
propaganda. The sole purpose is to enable
the delegate to grasp the meaning and
responsibilities which he will be called upon
to assume when he becomes an adult. It
should be distinctly understood that the
selection and assignment of citizens to
parties is in no way connected to existing
political parties in Colorado. Boys State
"political parties" are called "Nationalist"
and"Federalist". They are purely mythical
and none of the principles typifying any of the
existing parties will be adopted. In this way,
we try to assure a democratic government in
its purist sense. The Party Chairman and
Party Executive Director are charged with the
duty of helping his respective party develop a
platform, nominate capable candidates, and
ensure that his party's platform is achieved
and its candidates elected.