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Department Logo & Lock-up Treatments

Colorado Master Brand

The strength of the Colorado brand lies within the equity of the master brand logo — the C. Our marketing efforts will focus on establishing this equity. 

Colorado logo

Colorado Department Shield

Most departments have a unique Emblem to represent their department identity. The department Emblem is to be paired with the C logo as shown here and later in this document.

the C paired with a department circle, generic

 

Colorado Department Lock-up

Most departments and offices within Colorado have a primary logo lock-up that includes the C, Emblem and a text treatment to the right. The C and Emblem lock-up is the most common type of department lock-up. Vertical versions can be requested by contacting IDS. Other lock-up options are shown later in this section including C-only and State Seal lock-ups.

Lock-ups serve as the unique graphic identifier for each department or office and should be used comprehensively across any given department or office and should not be modified or created internally.

Please contact IDS for brand creation/modification or to update brands on your department's branding Google Drive. This ensures that correctly made brands will be available for everyone in the future.

 

Sample logo where the name of the department fits on one line

 


Department Emblem Architecture

A unique Emblem has been created for the majority of the State's departments and offices and is available from your department's Communications/PIO Office. Each Emblem is an expression of the work that department or office conducts and the people they serve. The consistent shape of each Emblem lends visual continuity to our State government while allowing for individuality from one department to the next through unique iconography.

The Parts of a Emblem

The logotype is not included beneath the C logo when pairing it with a department emblem. Each dept. emblem features an icon representing the work they do.

Department Logo/Lock-up Architecture

A logo lock-up (also referred to simply as a "lock-up") is made up of several elements. These elements are locked into position to form a single unit and should not be altered or rearranged. The elements of the most commonly used department lock-up type — the C and Emblem — are identified and described below. 


The Parts of a Logo/Lock-up

Primary and secondary emblem colors are selected by departments from the C logo or accent color palettes

 


Department Logo/Lock-up Text Treatment

A department name may require one or two lines in a logo lock-up depending on the length of the name. The maximum width of a department name is 3.2 x the width of the State C logo (measured from the left edge of Colorado logotype). When a single line exceeds this width, the two-line format should be used. In addition to the most commonly used lock-up type — the C and Emblem — we've illustrated C-only and State Seal lock-up examples for department names below.

 

six example lockups with the department or division name displayed next to the lockup

 


Department Logo/Lock-up Color Reverse Applications

The color reversed logo lock-up (or the white-only version on the next page) can be used when placing the logo on a colored background, over a photograph, or when it is helpful to achieve a balanced layout.

 

solid black background and darker raster image with the reversed logo showing a white outline on the emblem

 

Four examples of solid dark colors like green and blue with the color reverse logo

Department Logo/Lock-up White Only Applications

The white-only logo lock-up can be used when the logo is used on very busy or colorful background that would detract from the brand, to simplify the appearance. 

 

A black background and a darker raster image with the white only reversed logo, where the C logo and emblem is all white.

 

The use of the all white logo on colorful solid backgrounds such as purple, red, yellow, and blue

 


Department Logo/Lock-up Black & White Applications

When color is not available, it is acceptable to use the white-only logo lock-up to print on dark backgrounds. Use this version when the background is approximately 50% grayscale or darker. When the background is lighter than 50% grayscale, use the black-only logo lock-up. On very light backgrounds, the grayscale version is also acceptable. 

 

Eight examples of the use of the white reversed logo on greyscale colors and the use of the black only logo on lighter grey colors

Department Logo/Lock-up Clear Zone

The department, division, project, and program logo lock-up should always have a clear zone surrounding it in order to maintain its integrity.

Leave a clear zone equal to "x" or  greater, where "x" is equal to the  height of the "COLORADO" logotype. When possible, leave more clear space than the minimum indicated here. 

 

Make the clear zone equal to the height of the word Colorado

 


Department Logo/Lock-up Minimum Size

Only use the logo lock-ups at 1/4˝ or larger in height, with the "height" defined by the height of the C logo. Measure from the base of the C logo to the top of the C logo.

Always try to use the brand in larger sizes for increased legibility. The minimum sizes are only for the highest resolution reproduction methods possible where more space is unavailable. Its use does not apply to low-resolution processes like those found on webpages.

 

Department logos should be no less than 1 quarter inch high

 


Department Logo/Lock-up Don'ts

11 examples of how not to change or modify the department logos. Basically just use them as provided to you without modification.

 

 

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