Ancient Free & Accepted Masons
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Colorado is the governing body that supervises and governs the individual Lodges of Freemasons in the state of Colorado.

The Gold Rush fever of the Pikes Peak region in 1858 was intoxicating to all forms of fortune-hunters, prospectors, and rovers, and its lure was irresistible to Masons, too. Many members of the craft responded to the sudden challenge of the frontier. And having been forced to associate with adventurers of dubious backgrounds during the tedious overland journey, upon arrival in the new country they quickly sought the company of their brethren. Within ten days after the founding of the first permanent settlement at Auraria, at the junction of the Cherry Creek and the South Platte rivers, the first informal assemblage of seven Masons was held in what was to be the Territory and then the State of Colorado.

From those early meetings the Grand Lodge of Colorado was formed in 1861 and has continued to operate until the present day. Currently there are 128 chartered lodges in the jurisdiction which can be found in all areas of the state.

To learn more, visit the Grand Lodge of Colorado
Prince Hall Free & Accepted Masons
Prince Hall (1735-1807) was the organizer and founder of Masonry among men of African-American descent. Thought to have been born in Barbados around 1735, he first worked as a leather-dresser, later as a laborer by day and studying at night. He educated himself and became a leader in the efforts to eliminate slavery and bring about a stronger unified people. He was instrumental in freeing many slaves. He was an abolitionist and a patriot, as he volunteered to fight in the American Revolution and was later accepted in the Continental Army led by George Washington.

After the war, Prince Hall continued the struggle for equal rights, and even established a school in his own home. Hall was initiated as a Freemason in 1775 by John Batt of Irish Lodge No. 441. John Rowe, Provisional Grand Master, authorized Hall to form African Lodge No. 1. Later on after the war, they were granted a charter from the Grand Lodge of England as African Lodge No. 459 with Hall presiding as the Worshipful Master. While today African-Americans can join any lodge in North America, Prince Hall Masonry still remains a vital part of the American Masonic tradition.

To learn more, visit the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Colorado
Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction
The Scottish Rite is one of two largest concordant bodies of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed after he has completed the three degrees of Craft Lodge Freemasonry. The Scottish Rite work expands and elaborates on the lessons of the three Craft Lodge degrees and sometimes called the "University of Freemasonry". Degrees as they relate to the Scottish Rite indicate the level of knowledge that a Master Mason has attained.

The Orient of Colorado is home to three Scottish Rite Valleys; Denver, Southern Colorado, and Grand Junction.

To learn more, visit the:
Supreme Council, 33° - Southern Jurisdiction
Scottish Rite Valley of Grand Junction
Scottish Rite Valley of Southern Colorado
York Rite Bodies
The York Rite is the other major concordant body of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed to supplement or amplify the Craft degrees, affording historical background on the work and meaning of Freemasonry.

In the York Rite, a Master Mason may become a member of three bodies - a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, a Council of Cyrptic Masons, and a Commandery of Knights Templar. The York Rite takes its name from the old English city of York. It is said that Athelstan, a British king, was converted to Christianity in York and that he granted the original charter to the Masonic guilds in that city nearly a thousand years ago. The York Rite is not a religion. Like the Craft lodge, the Chapter and the Council are based upon the building of King Solomon's Temple. The Commandary has a theme of Christian chivalry.

To learn more, visit the Grand York Rite of Colorado
Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine
Founded by Dr. Walter M. Fleming in 1870 in New York, since 1920 the Shrine has been actively supporting what has become known as the "World's Greatest Philanthropy," Shriners Hospitals for Children. Strictly speaking, the Shrine is not an appendent body but is a club for Freemasons.

Shriners are distinguished by an enjoyment of life in the interest of philanthropy. The approximately 660,000 member organization has a buoyant philosophy which has been expressed as "Pleasure without intemperance, hospitality without rudeness and jollity without coarseness." The most noticeable symbol of the Shrine is the distinctive red fez that all Shriners wear at official functions.

Shriners are men who enjoy life. They enjoy parades, trips, circuses, dances, dinners, sporting events and other social occasions together. Every effort is made to be sure a Shriner has a variety of activities from which he may choose.

To learn more, visit the:
El Jebel Shrine
Al Kaly Shrine
Order of the Eastern Star
The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization, for men and women, in the world. Started in the mid 1800s, today there are over two million members worldwide.

Membership in the Eastern Star is open to women who are related to Master Masons. The members of the Eastern Star are dedicated men and women who sincerely reflect the spirit of fraternal love and the desire to work together for good. The moral and social purposes of the order are designed to build character, to promote friendship and harmony among members, and to practice charity.

To learn more, visit the Grand Chapter of Colorado
DeMolay International
Founded in 1919 by Frank S. Land in Kansas City, Missouri, The Order of DeMolay is a fraternity for young men between the ages of 13 and 21.

The name DeMolay is taken from Jacques DeMolay, a Grand Master of the medieval Knights Templar. DeMolay teaches leadership and values which make these young men better citizens and better prepared for tomorrow's challenges. Some DeMolay alumni include: Walt Disney, John Wayne; newsmen Dan Rather, Walter Cronkite, John Cameron Swayze, Willard Scott and Chet Huntley; entertainers Dick and Tommy Smothers, Buddy Ebsen, Burl Ives; and authors John Steinbeck and William Shirer.

To learn more, visit the Colorado State Chapter
Job's Daughters International
Job's Daughters is one of today's outstanding character building organizations for young girls, 11 to 20 years of age.

For over 90 years, Job's Daughters has been actively promoting friendship and service. The organization was founded by Mrs. Ethel T. Wead Mick in Omaha, Nebraska. The group takes its name from the Book of Job, and in particular to a reference in the 42nd Chapter that says, "And in all the land were no women found so fair as the Daughters of Job."

To be a member of Job's Daughters is to be part of a group that promotes friendship among young women and confidence in themselves. As a member you will learn skills that will help you throughout your life. You will become part of an organization that serves the community. Most importantly, you will have fun.

To learn more, visit the Colorado Grand Bethel
International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
Rainbow for Girls is an organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20. At the age of 20, or upon marriage, which ever occurs first, girls who are members in good standing are eligible for Majority Membership. To join, a girl must be sponsored by two other girls who are either active members in good standing or a majority member, and at least one adult whom must be a member in good standing of either the Masonic Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star, Order of the Amaranth or the White Shrine.

The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls helps promote self-esteem and leadership in its members. As a member, a girl will learn valuable public speaking skills and will attend meetings presided over by girls her own age. While there are always adult advisors to provide direction, all meetings are conducted by the girls.

To learn more, visit the Grand Assembly of Colorado
The Order of the Amaranth
The Order of the Amaranth was officially organized June 14th, 1873, in New York City. The Amaranth takes its theme from Queen Christina of Sweden. In 1653 Queen Christina had combined a group of "Sir Knights" and "Ladies" together to have "gala" parties. She called this group the "Order of the Amaranth". The order was perpetuated and exists in the royal court of Sweden today.

Under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council, the Amaranth have 43 Grand Courts, located in Canada, the United States, Australia, England, the Philippines and Scotland; also, Subordinate Courts in Hawaii, New Zealand and Ireland.

To learn more, visit the Grand Court of Colorado
Daughters of the Nile
Formed in 1913, The Daughters of the Nile is an international, non-profit organization, comprised of women who are wives, widows, mothers, sisters or daughters of men who are Shriners.

The purpose of the order is to assist the Shriners with their charitable work; to promote social, friendly fellowship within the order; and to advance and elevate the standard of Womanhood. The Order has grown to 148 Temples within Canada and the United States, with approximately 75,000 members.

To learn more, visit the Supreme Temple
Social Order of the Beauceant
The "Some of Our Business Society" was originally organized for the sole purpose of providing aid and socialbility for the Sir Knights and ladies who would be attending the 25th Triennial Conclave of Knights Templar in Denver, Colorado in 1890. The Society remained a small, loyal, local band of ladies, doing good, and assisting Sir Knights until 1913 when they expanded and reorganized under the new name of the "Social Order of the Beauceant".

As wives, widows, mothers, sisters, daughters, or grand-daughters of Knights Templar of the United States, the S.O.O.B. continues to operate today to "cultivate the spirit of love for and loyalty to each other, and the Order of Knights Templar, and the reciprocal consideration due the order".

To learn more, visit the Supreme Assembly
Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem
The Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem is a Masonic Affiliated Organization. Both men and women can belong. It was incorporated in 1894 in Illinois. The Order has a three fold purpose; Charitable, Social, and Fraternal. It aims to bring together women and men with high moral and social character. These members are interested in sharing their desire to create enjoyable experiences for themselves and to provide aid to those less fortunate. The Order is based on the Christian Religion.

The Order operates a Benevolent Program titled "Material Objective." Through this Benevolent Program they assist those in need of rehabilitation regardless of race, creed, sect, or age.

To learn more, visit the Supreme Shrine