N. Colo. secessionists giving pitch in El Paso

Secession backers from northern Colorado are taking their pitch on the road to a central Colorado county not considering the idea.

Organizers of The 51st State Initiative plan to give a presentation Thursday to the El Paso County Commission. The Gazette reports that presentation is an attempt to build outside support for a new state in northern and eastern Colorado.

Several counties including Weld County plan to ask voters about pursuing the secession idea, but they will need support from other areas, too. Any new state would have to win approval from the state Legislature, and then Congress, which is unlikely.

West Virginia was the last to separate and form a new state. That was 150 years ago, in 1863.