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Colorado ranks 3rd for patriotism

Colorado was ranked third most patriotic state in the U.S. in a WalletHub study, in part because of displays like this when members of the Bayfield American Legion Post 143 wave American flags during the annual Veterans Day Parade down Main Avenue in Durango in 2011.

As Independence Day fast approaches, WalletHub asked what were the most and least patriotic states in America.

Colorado came in third overall, 12th in military engagement and sixth in civic engagement.

Using eight key metrics, the company measured the percentage of residents who enlisted in the military in 2013, the number of veterans per 100,000 residents and the number of active-duty personnel per 100,000 residents to measure military engagement.

For civic engagement, the metrics were percentage of residents who voted in the 2012 presidential election, the volunteer rate, number of Peace Corps volunteers per 100,000 residents, frequency of Google searches for American flags and civics education requirement in K-12 public schools.

Patriotism, although the meaning of the word varies with context, ideology and geography, has been waning in recent years. In 2011, 38 percent of Americans said the U.S. was the best country in the world. By 2014, that number had fallen to 28 percent.

Herald Staff



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