Flag of Utah

File:Flags over Utah State Capitol.jpg in 2023, prior to the new flag's official adoption]]

The red, white, and blue tricolor references the colors of the flag of the United States. At the top, a blue stripe symbolizes Utah's skies and lakes and fundamental principles such as faith, knowledge, and freedom. It also imitates the blue background of the state's historic flag. The white middle stripe evokes peace and is divided into five peaks, representing the snowy peaks of Utah's mountains. Below, a red canyon stripe signifies Southern Utah's desert landscapes and the spirit of perseverance. In the center of the flag, a beehive design represents Utah's industrial character and official nickname, the Beehive State. The gold hexagon resembles honeycomb, representing the strength of Utah's people. The beehive within the hexagon symbolizes industry, prosperity, and unity. Below the beehive is a five-pointed star, which honors the five original tribal nations in Utah, and also alludes to Utah's 45th star on the American flag, representing the state's allegiance to the nation.{{Cite web |title=Symbolism {{!}} Flag |url=https://flag.utah.gov/symbolism/ |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=flag.utah.gov}}

The colors designated for the flag are as follows:

File:USutahensign.jpg flag{{cite web |url=http://flagspot.net/flags/rel-morm.html#abt |title=John Wardle's flag |website=Flags of the World |access-date=2013-08-22}} (right)]]

{{Gallery|align=center|height=120

|File:Mormon Flag of God´s Kingdom (2002).svg|2002 reconstruction

|File:Alleged Mormon flag 1877.svg|Alternative reconstruction

|File:Mormon Pioneer flag.png|Remake of a unique pioneer flag|File:Old Utah fort flag 1847.png|Reconstruction of the 15 star American flag raised in 1847|File:Mormon Pioneer Flag 1849.png|Reconstruction of the flag raised in Salt Lake City, 1849[https://www.pdcnet.org/85257D7A006284F7/file/9814E57E8285545E85257DA9005CB294/$FILE/raven_2012_0019_0000_0037_0066.pdf Utah’s Mammoth Statehood Flag by John M. Hartvigsen]|File:Utah's pioneer flag.png|Reconstruction of the flag carried by a group of elderly pioneers, 1849{{Cite web |title=Deseret: Emerging Aristarchy of the Kingdom, 1848–1851 {{!}} Religious Studies Center |url=https://rsc.byu.edu/storming-nation/deseret-emerging-aristarchy-kingdom-1848-1851 |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=rsc.byu.edu}}[https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/47708/pg47708-images.html#CHAPTERXLIII BIOGRAPHY AND FAMILY RECORD OF LORENZO SNOW, One of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Written and Compiled by his Sister, Eliza R. Snow Smith. CHAPTER XVII.]}}

As allegedly designed by council in 1848, this flag was the first flag designed to unify the Saints as they celebrated their first pioneer day. This flag was lost in the 1850s but later recreated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2002{{Citation needed|reason=Need reliable source stating the LDS Church recreated this flag in 2002|date=August 2024}} and has flown on Ensign Peak since. Contemporary reports describe similar flags being flown in 1877 at the funeral of Brigham Young and in 1880 at the Golden Jubilee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.{{cite journal |last1=Quinn |first1=D. Michael |title=The Flag of the Kingdom of God |journal=BYU Studies Quarterly |date=1974 |volume=14 |issue=1 |page=Article 11 |url=https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byusq/vol14/iss1/11 |access-date=29 April 2024}} There is currently no historic documentation available to support this flag. The pioneers also carried a banner that was described as bearing a portrait of Joseph Smith and angel holding a scroll with the names of all the pioneers.{{Cite web |title=Deseret Weekly {{!}} 1897-04-10 {{!}} Page 26 {{!}} Pioneer Reminiscences |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=2715006&q=Pioneer+flag+banner&rows=200&sort=rel&year_start=1850&year_end=1910 |access-date=2025-02-14 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}

{{Gallery|align=center|height=120

|File:Flag of Deseret (reconstructed).svg| One of the earlier flags of Deseret, reconstructed {{FIAV|reconstructed}}

|File:Nauvoo Legion Cavalry Guidon (Probable).svg|A cavalry guidon of the Utah-era version of the Nauvoo Legion

|File:Pike Peaks Deseret flag.png|Remake of one of the flags that flew in Pikes Peak Colorado during the Pioneer Day Celebration, on July 24, 1856

|File:1855 State of Deseret flag.png|This is recreation of a flag that flew on top of Livingston, Kinkead & Co building in Salt Lake City, on July 4th, 1855

|File:Las Vegas Mormon flag 1855.png|Reconstruction of the flag raised in Las Vegas on July 4, 1855}}

According to most descriptions, the flag of the State of Deseret was similar to the flag of the State of Utah, but as it was not standardized, multiple other secular and religious alternatives were also used.Walker, Ronald W. [http://content.lib.utah.edu/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/dialogue&CISOPTR=22641&REC=2 "A Banner is Unfurled"] Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought Volume 26 Number 4, Winter 1993, pages 71–91.

File:Evolution of the Utah State Flag - display at the Utah State Capitol - 6 Dec 2012.jpg describing the history of the flag]]

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|File:Flag of the Utah Territory.svg|Flag of the Utah Territory{{Cite web|title=FlagTerritorial.jpg|url=https://pioneer.utah.gov/research/utah_symbols/images/FlagTerritorial.jpg|website=pioneer.utah.gov|access-date=2020-08-02|archive-date=2012-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623061648/http://pioneer.utah.gov/research/utah_symbols/images/FlagTerritorial.jpg|url-status=dead}} {{FIAV|historical}}

|File:Utah Territory Flag.png

|1851 Territory Flag {{FIAV|historical}}|File:Early Utah Pioneer flag 1851.png|The flag carried by the pioneers of Parowan, 1851|File:Edward H. Williams Flag.png| Flag flown by the pioneers of Nephi, c. 1850–1851|File:FLAG OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD 1880.png|Reconstruction of the flag raised in Salt Lake City, 1880}}

Blue fabric with the old coat of arms of Utah Territory. There is currently no evidence that the Utah Territory flag was made into an actual flag to fly during the Territory's existence (1850–1896), though copies have since been made. In the early years of the Territory, many of the pioneers flew unique homemade American flags.{{Cite web |title=Historical Flags of Our Ancestors - State of Utah - USA |url=https://www.loeser.us/flags/utah.html |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=www.loeser.us}}

{{Gallery|align=center|height=120

|File:Utah Statehood flag.png|Utah's Statehood flag {{FIAV|historical}}

|File:Utah's Statehood flag.png|

Reconstruction of the statehood flag raised in Kamas, Utah{{Cite web |title=Coalville Times {{!}} 1896-01-10 {{!}} Page 1 |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=660698&q=banner+flag&rows=200&sort=date_tdt+asc,parent_i+asc,page_i+asc&year_start=1896&year_end=1897 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}} |File:Utah flag statehood flag, San Juan.png|Reconstruction of the flag flown in San Juan County{{Cite web |title=Deseret Weekly {{!}} 1896-01-25 {{!}} Page 28 {{!}} Celebration in San Juan |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=2712358&q=banner+flag&rows=200&sort=date_tdt+asc,parent_i+asc,page_i+asc&year_start=1896&year_end=1897 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}

}}

When Utah became the 45th state in 1896, American flags across the country flew 45 stars. It was one of the biggest American flags was made at that time. The flag was around 74 feet high and 132 feet long and hung from the ceiling of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. One year later it was moved to south wall of the Salt Lake Temple were it flew until 1903. The first state flag was flown in 1894, Its design is not known.{{Cite web |title=Provo Dispatch {{!}} 1894-07-18 {{!}} Page 1 {{!}} Provo Rejoiceth |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=3122968&q=Beehive+flag&rows=200&sort=rel&year_start=1850&year_end=1910 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}} The second state flag was flown 3 years later, but it was not described.{{Cite web |title=Sacramento Daily Union 5 July 1897 — California Digital Newspaper Collection |url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SDU18970705.2.2&srpos=2&e=-------en--20-SDU-1--txt-txIN-Utah+Mormon+Flag+Banner------- |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=cdnc.ucr.edu}}

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|File:1903-1909 Utah Governor's Flag.svg|Flag of Utah (unofficial) (1903–circa 1909) {{FIAV|historical}}

|File:1909-1911 Utah Governor's Flag with Utah added.svg|Flag of Utah (unofficial) (circa 1909–1911) {{FIAV|historical}}

|File:1911-1913 Utah's First Official State flag.svg|Flag of Utah (1911–1913) {{FIAV|historical}}

}}

The flag's basic design uses the Seal of Utah which was adopted by the state legislature on April 3, 1896.{{cite web |url=http://pioneer.utah.gov/research/utah_symbols/flag.html |title=Utah State Flag and Seal |author=State of Utah |year=2010 |work=Pioneer: Utah's Online Library |access-date=16 February 2011 |archive-date=10 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110063029/http://pioneer.utah.gov/research/utah_symbols/flag.html |url-status=dead }} The seal was designed by Charles M. Jackson, a crime reporter for the Salt Lake Herald, and Harry Emmett Edwards, an artist and bartender,{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/4/20/23687332/utah-state-flag-history/|title=Raising a flag: The mistakes and struggles that made Utah's state flags|last1=Fox|first1=Ron|last2=De Groote|first2=Michael|date=April 20, 2023|work=Deseret News|access-date=March 19, 2024}} and has similarities with the seal of the Utah Territory. The state's first flag was created in March 1903 to be used at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri. Heber M. Wells, the governor of Utah, asked the Utah State Society Daughters of the Revolution (not to be confused with Daughters of the American Revolution) to oversee the creation of a flag. On May 1, 1903, the governor and his delegation marched, under the new flag, in the parade of states.{{cite news |title=Time to fix 88-year-old mistake in Utah flag? |author=Lee Davidson |url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/50931358-76/flag-state-utah-shield.html.csp |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=25 December 2010 |access-date=16 February 2011}} The flag was blue, with the state seal and the year "1896" hand-embroidered in white thread in the flag's center. Initially, this flag was known as the "Governor's Flag" until Senate Joint Resolution 17 was passed by the legislature on March 9, 1911, making it the official state flag.{{cite web |url=http://www.flag-post.com/the-history-of-the-flag-of-utah/ |title=The history of the Flag of Utah |date=31 January 2011 |work=flag-post.com blog |access-date=16 February 2011}}

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|File:Flag of Utah (1913–1922).png|Flag of Utah (1913–1922) {{FIAV|historical}}

|File:Flag of Utah (1922–2011).svg|Flag of Utah (1922–2011) {{FIAV|historical}}

|File:Flag of Utah (2011–2024).svg|Flag of Utah (2011–2024){{Cite web|url=https://flag.utah.gov/#:~:text=SB+31+adopts+the+new,a+set+on+state+holidays|title=Flag | More Than A Flag|website=flag.utah.gov}}{{FIAV|historical}}

|File:Flag of the State of Utah (2011-2024).svg|Flag of Utah, enhanced variant (2011–2024) {{FIAV|historical}}

}}

In 1912, the Sons and Daughters of Utah Pioneers ordered a custom made copy of the newly adopted flag to be presented to the recently commissioned battleship {{USS|Utah|BB-31|6}}. When the flag arrived, the group discovered that the shield on the flag was in full color instead of white, and the manufacturer had added a gold ring around the shield. Rather than have the flag remade, Annie Wells Cannon introduced HJR 1 and the Utah legislature changed the law to allow the manufacturer's changes to become part of the official flag. Prior to being received by the ship on June 25, 1913, the new flag was displayed at the state capitol in January 1913, then in the ZCMI windows on Main Street and at a ball held in honor of the flag.

During the 59th state legislative session in 2011, a Concurrent Resolution (HCR002) was adopted requiring flag makers to fix a mistake found on all then-current Utah state flags. The mistake originated in 1922 when a flag maker misplaced the year 1847, by stitching it just above the year 1896, instead of in its correct position on the shield. It is believed every flag made since 1922 used this flag as a model, and the mistake persisted for 89 years. Later that same 2011 session, House Bill #490 passed the legislature, making March 9 an annual Utah State Flag day.

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|File:Flag of Utah (1927 Proposal).svg|Proposed flag of Utah (1927) {{FIAV|proposal}}

}}

In 1927, Governor George Dern, during his address to the Utah State Legislature, requested the state adopt a much simpler flag that could be made quickly and cheaply and could fly alongside the American flag. Nothing was done, however, until in 1930 when flag enthusiast Lilliebell Falck, from Ogden, approached him with a few simplified designs. Her favorite was a white beehive with 28 lines to represent Utah's counties. However, with growing opposition to the design by the Sons and Daughters of Utah Pioneers, the design was eventually scrapped later that year.

{{gallery |mode=packed-hover |whitebg=y |height=50 |align=center

| title=2002 Salt Lake Tribune contest finalists

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 3.svg|Design 3

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 5.svg|Design 5

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 8.svg|Design 8

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 10.svg|Design 10

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 11.svg|Design 11

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 12.svg|Design 12

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 13.svg|Design 13

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 14.svg|Design 14

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 15.svg|Design 15

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 16.svg|Design 16

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 18.svg|Design 18

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 19.svg|Design 19 (version 1)

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 19 ver 2.svg|Design 19 (version 2)

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 20.svg|Design 20

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 21.svg|Design 21

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 22.svg|Design 22

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 23.svg|Design 23

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 25.svg|Design 25

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 29.svg|Design 29

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 31.svg|Design 31

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 32.svg|Design 32 (version 1)

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 32 ver 2.svg|Design 32 (version 2)

|File:Utah Proposed Flag Design Number 34.svg|Design 34

|width=50}}

In 2002, The Salt Lake Tribune, along with the North American Vexillological Association, solicited designs for a new state flag.{{Cite web |date=2020-07-10 |title=Here's your chance to pick Salt Lake City's new flag |url=https://www.buildingsaltlake.com/salt-lake-city-new-flag-design/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=Building Salt Lake |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vexman.net/nnpdf/NN174.pdf |title=NAVA 36 Flag Design|date=June 2002|website=vexman.net|access-date=24 September 2023}} Over 1,000 designs were collected, with the top 35 selected for judging.Ted Kaye. "A New Flag For Utah? The Utah Flag Design Contest". NAVA News (Issue #174). April–June 2002. However, no flags from this contest were adopted by the state.

{{Gallery|align=center|height=120

|File:Flag of Utah.svg|The current flag of Utah (2024–present) {{FIAV|normal}}

|File:Flag of Utah (2011–2024).svg|Historic State Flag of Utah{{cite web

| url = https://le.utah.gov/xcode/images/C63G-1-S503_2023050320240309_3.jpg

| title = Utah Code 63G-1-503 - Historic state flag

| last =

| first =

| date =

| website =

| publisher = State of Utah

| access-date = 20 April 2024

| quote = }} (2024–present) {{FIAV|alternate}}

}}

File:Proposed_flag_of_Utah_(2019).svgIn 2018, State Representatives Steve Handy and Keven Stratton proposed 2 different approaches to updating the Utah flag. Representative Handy proposed creating a flag commission to receive input and designs from the public, with the ultimate goal of proposing a new flag to the legislature. Representative Stratton sponsored separate legislation to adopt a specific flag design.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Benjamin |title=A former candidate for Utah governor is pushing a redesign of the state flag, and he's got a sponsor on Capitol Hill |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/02/09/former-candidate-utah/ |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=February 9, 2019}} The Utah House of Representatives was more amenable to a proposal to involve the public with a commission, but ultimately both efforts failed in 2019.{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Benjamin |title=Facing dueling state flag proposals, a Utah House committee says deliberation is better than a quick redesign |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/02/14/facing-dueling-state-flag/ |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=February 13, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Benjamin |title='Let's submit designs': New version of state flag bill would launch a review of replacement ideas |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/02/28/lets-submit-designs-new/ |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=February 28, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Benjamin |title=Utah House says 'yes' to a review of the state flag |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2019/03/08/utah-house-says-yes/ |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=March 8, 2019}}

Representative Handy proposed another bill in 2020, this time keeping the 2011 design as a "historical flag".{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Benjamin |title=Utah lawmaker taking another stab at updating the state flag |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2020/02/05/utah-lawmaker-taking/ |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune |date=February 5, 2020}} However, the effort stalled in the House Political Subdivisions Committee on a tie vote.https://le.utah.gov/~2020/bills/static/HB0250.html

After a failed 2020 redesign effort, State Senator Daniel McCay started a bill in the Utah Senate. To prepare for the debate, the House and Senate watched a TED Talk by Roman Mars, "Why city flags may be the worst designed thing you've never noticed."{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ted.com/talks/roman_mars_why_city_flags_may_be_the_worst_designed_thing_you_ve_never_noticed |title=Why city flags may be the worst-designed thing you've never noticed |date=2015-05-14 |last=Mars |first=Roman |language=en |publisher=TED |access-date=2024-10-10 |via=}} In addition to the Ted Talk, the lead designer for the Utah Jazz, Ben Barnes, shared a set of prototype designs for lawmakers.{{cite news |last1=Gehrke |first1=Robert |date=February 19, 2020 |title=Robert Gehrke: Utah's state flag is fine, but maybe an update wouldn't hurt |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/02/19/robert-gehrke-utahs-state/ |access-date=May 5, 2020 |work=The Salt Lake Tribune}}

{{Gallery|title=2020 prototype designs|align=center|height=110

|mode=nolines

|noborder=yes

|File:2020 Industry Flags- Barnes.png|

|File:2020 Leadership Flags- Barnes.png|

|File:2020 Perserverance Flags- Barnes.png|

}}

In 2021, Senator McCay sponsored a bill to create a task force to redesign the Utah state flag.{{cite web |last1=Petersen |first1=Hannah |date=4 March 2021 |title=Don't like the look of the state flag? Lawmakers OK task force to look at redesign |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/3/4/22313867/legislature-oks-possible-state-flag-redesign-by-setting-up-a-flag-task-force-governor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310003620if_/https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/3/4/22313867/legislature-oks-possible-state-flag-redesign-by-setting-up-a-flag-task-force-governor |archive-date=10 March 2021 |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} The bill also designated an official flag to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Utah's statehood.{{cite web |last1=Rodgers |first1=Bethany |date=2 March 2021 |title=Proposed Utah flag design could be in trouble over its use by DezNat |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/03/02/utah-commemorative-state/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303061601if_/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/03/02/utah-commemorative-state/ |archive-date=3 March 2021 |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune}} The bill passed in the House and the Senate and was signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox.{{cite web |last1=McKellar |first1=Katie |date=17 March 2021 |title=Governor signs Dixie State name change bill, slew of police reform measures |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/3/17/22336168/gov-spencer-cox-signs-dixie-state-university-name-change-police-reform-bills-legislature-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319181514if_/https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/3/17/22336168/gov-spencer-cox-signs-dixie-state-university-name-change-police-reform-bills-legislature-2021 |archive-date=19 March 2021 |access-date=25 May 2021 |website=Deseret News}}

{{Gallery|align=center|height=120

|File:Commemorative_Flag_of_Utah_(2021).svg|Commemorative Flag of Utah (2021)

}}

In 2022, the Utah State Flag Task Force accepted design submissions from the public. 5,703 designs were submitted, 2,500 of which were submitted by students.{{cite web |last1=Jayswal |first1=Palak |date=10 November 2022 |title=New design for Utah's flag: A beehive, mountains and a symbolic star |url=https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2022/11/10/see-new-design-that-may-replace/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114002452if_/https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2022/11/10/see-new-design-that-may-replace/ |archive-date=14 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune}} In September, 20 semifinalist designs were announced and Utahns were asked to submit their feedback.{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Carter |date=8 September 2022 |title=Does one of these flags say 'Utah' to you? Lawmaker teases flag finalist 'sneak peek' |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/9/8/23343062/utah-new-state-flag-sneak-peek-top-designs-task-force |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925093646if_/https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/9/8/23343062/utah-new-state-flag-sneak-peek-top-designs-task-force |archive-date=25 September 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} During the month-long comment period, 44,000 survey responses were given.

{{Gallery|title=Other Utah State Flag Task Force finalists|align=center|height=80

|Flag of Utah (semifinalist 1).svg|

|Flag of Utah (semifinalist 2).svg|

|Flag of Utah (semifinalist 3).svg|

|Flag of Utah (semifinalist 4).svg|

}}

On November 10, 2022, the Task Force submitted a final proposal to the Utah State Legislature for adoption as the official state flag. On January 18, 2023, the Utah Senate Business and Labor Committee voted 6–1 to advance the flag to the State Senate, with McCay saying he hoped the new flag design will reach Spencer Cox's desk by March 3.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Carter |date=January 18, 2023 |title=Proposed Utah flag redesign clears 1st legislative hurdle in divided room |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50560349/proposed-utah-flag-redesign-clears-1st-legislative-hurdle-in-divided-room |access-date=January 22, 2023 |website=KSL}}

File:Flag of Utah.svg

On January 30, 2023, the State Senate approved the bill 17–10, which advanced to the State House of Representatives for approval.{{cite web |last=Winslow |first=Ben |date=January 30, 2023 |title=New Utah state flag moves closer to reality after passing in Senate |url=https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/new-utah-state-flag-moves-closer-to-reality-after-passing-in-senate |access-date=January 30, 2023 |website=FOX 13}} However, the flag was slightly modified; the eight-pointed star was replaced by a five-pointed star after an Indigenous constituent expressed reservations over the former, saying it looked more like an asterisk from a distance. In consultation with tribal leaders, tribal representation shifted to the 5 mountain peaks to represent the five original tribal nations of Utah (Navajo, Shoshone, Goshute, Paiute and Ute).{{Cite web |last=Coombs |first=Carlene |date=30 January 2023 |title=Newly designed state flag will better represent Utah's historic tribal nations, senator says |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2023/01/30/newly-designed-state-flag-will/ |website=The Salt Lake Tribune}}

On March 2, 2023, the Utah House of Representatives approved the bill 40–35, and the State Senate passed the concurrence vote 19–9–1, sending the bill to the governor's desk for signing.{{Cite web |last=Ellis |first=Josh |date=2 March 2023 |title=Utah Legislature approves new state flag |url=https://ksltv.com/528772/utah-legislature-approves-new-state-flag// |website=KSL}}

The bill was signed by Governor Cox on March 21, 2023, along with an executive order formalizing the change. The bill—and the new flag—went into effect on March 9, 2024, thus providing a one-year phase-in period to gradually transition to the new flag. The bill also designates the prior design as the official historic flag which may continue to be used by all.{{Cite web |title=SB0031 |url=https://le.utah.gov/~2023/bills/static/SB0031.html |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=le.utah.gov}}{{cite news |last1=Schott |first1=Bryan |date=21 March 2023 |title=Utah has a new state flag after Gov. Cox signs banner bill — for now |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2023/03/21/breaking-utah-has-new-state-flag/ |work=The Salt Lake Tribune}} The executive order mandates that the historic state flag be flown above the state capitol every day of the year and once the bill goes into effect, the two flags should be flown from different flagpoles on capitol grounds. The order also petitions the legislature to amend the bill to allow the new flag to be flown below the historic state flag when they are flown together.{{Cite news |last=Williams |first=Carter |date=2023-03-21 |title=Cox signs bill to create new flag, issues order on how 'historical' flag will be flown |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50605367/cox-signs-bill-to-create-new-flag-issues-order-on-how-historical-flag-will-be-flown |access-date=2023-03-22 |work=KSL-TV |language=en}}

A public opinion poll conducted by the Hinckley Institute of Politics in March 2023 found that 48% of respondents supported the new flag, 35% opposed it, and 17% didn't know.{{Cite web |last=McKinlay |first=Hannah |date=6 April 2023 |title=Poll: More Utahns support the new state flag than oppose it |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2023/4/5/23664806/utah-flag-new-design-public-opinion-poll |access-date=7 April 2023 |website=Deseret News}}

On May 17, 2023, the Utah State Capitol raised the new flag for the first time.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Carter |date=17 May 2023 |title=Utah's new flag flies above Utah Capitol for the 1st time |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50646513/utahs-new-flag-flies-above-utah-capitol-for-the-1st-time |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=KSL}}

Opponents of the new flag announced a campaign to initiate a 2023 ballot referendum on the adoption on the flag, hoping to retain the old flag, in spite of language in the bill that retains the historic state flag.{{Cite web |last=Hugo |first=Rikard-Bell |date=13 April 2023 |title=Ahead of a final deadline on Thursday, state flag referendum falls short |url=https://kslnewsradio.com/1999399/referendum-opposing-new-state-flag-falls-thousands-of-votes-short |access-date=13 April 2023 |website=KSL Newsradio}} The signature campaign failed, ultimately receiving only 21,030 verified signatures; official verification was halted after fewer than 50,000 signatures of the 134,298 required were submitted to county clerks.{{cite web |url=https://vote.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/42/2023/04/S.B.-31-State-Flag-Amendments-Referendum.pdf|title=S.B.31 State Flag Amendments}}

Flag opponents launched a second signature campaign to put the issue on the 2024 ballot as an initiative.{{Cite web |last=Tavss |first=Jeff |date=2 May 2023 |title=Opposition group files initiative in new attempt to halt new Utah state flag |url=https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/opposition-group-files-initiative-in-new-attempt-to-halt-new-utah-state-flag |access-date=2023-05-03 |work=FOX 13 |language=en}} That campaign also failed, gathering 99,125 signatures. (The lieutenant governor's office had only validated 81,992 before the deadline, the remaining 17,133 signatures left unvalidated would not have been enough to cross the threshold of 134,298 signatures to qualify for the ballot.) On February 8, 2024, a group linked to the campaign filed a federal lawsuit against the lieutenant governor, alleging that ten separate provisions of the citizen initiative process that the legislature created were unconstitutional.{{cite news |last1=Winslow |first1=Ben |date=16 February 2024 |title=Ballot initiative to put the new Utah state flag up to a vote fails to qualify |url=https://www.fox13now.com/news/politics/ballot-initiative-to-put-the-new-utah-state-flag-up-to-a-vote-fails-to-qualify |access-date=29 February 2024 |agency=Fox 13}} The group sought injunctive relief for the alleged violations, but were denied on all counts.{{Cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Carter |date=11 March 2024|title=Judge denies injunction in state flag initiative case, says lawsuit 'unlikely to prevail' |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50946923/judge-denies-injunction-in-state-flag-initiative-case-says-lawsuit-unlikely-to-prevail |access-date=2024-03-13 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}}[https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=17065918151613864997 Are You Listening Yet PAC et al v. Henderson] No. 2:24-CV-00104-JNP (D. Utah March 11, 2024.) Subsequently, the group withdrew the lawsuit two days later.{{Cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Carter |date=March 13, 2024 |title=Group drops Utah flag initiative lawsuit after judge's injunction ruling |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50949689/group-drops-utah-flag-initiative-lawsuit-after-judges-injunction-ruling |access-date=2024-03-14 |website=www.ksl.com |language=en}}

During Utah's 2024 legislative session, Representative Phil Lyman put forward House Bill 436{{cite web |title=HB0436 |url=https://le.utah.gov/~2024/bills/static/HB0436.html |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=le.utah.gov |publisher=Utah State Legislature}} in the Utah House of Representatives. The bill would have repealed the new flag, but it failed to advance out of committee.{{cite news |last1=Woodruff |first1=Daniel |date=8 February 2024 |title=Bill getting rid of new Utah state flag fails to advance |url=https://ksltv.com/621193/bill-getting-rid-of-new-utah-state-flag-fails-in-house/ |access-date=29 February 2024 |agency=KSL TV}}

{{Clear}}

{{See also|Flags of governors of the U.S. states}}File:Brigham_Young's_flag.png's personal flag{{Cite web |title=Deseret News {{!}} 1854-07-27 {{!}} Page 3 {{!}} The Twenty Fourth |url=https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=2580580&q=Beehive+banner+flag&rows=200&sort=rel&year_start=1850&year_end=1910 |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=newspapers.lib.utah.edu |language=en}}]]Utah does not currently have a flag that represents the governor. The first governor flag was used in 1854 by Brigham Young at his residence. It was described as an American flag but with a lion in its canton. The lion was in reference to Brigham's nickname, "The Lion of the Lord."{{Cite web |title=Brigham Young (1801-1877) {{!}} American Experience {{!}} PBS |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/mormons-young/ |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=www.pbs.org |language=en}}

{{Portal|Utah}}

• Symbols of the State of Utah

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite book| last=Haban | first=Rita D. | year=1989 | title=How Proudly They Wave: Flags of the Fifty States| publisher=Lerner Publishing Group | isbn=082251799X}}

{{Commons category|Flags of Utah}}

• [http://pioneer.utah.gov/research/utah_symbols/flag.html Utah State Flag] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110063029/http://pioneer.utah.gov/research/utah_symbols/flag.html |date=2012-11-10}}

{{US state flags}}

{{Utah}}

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Category:Flags with stars