Colorado’s Capitol dome reopening to public

Gov. John Hickenlooper will help mark the reopening of the Colorado Capitol dome, which has been closed to the public for repairs since late 2011.

Hickenlooper and other state officials are hosting a dedication ceremony Thursday morning at the Capitol’s grand staircase. The first public tour of the dome and observation deck will be held at 11:30 a.m. after the ceremony.

The $17 million project was necessary because Colorado’s intense freeze-thaw cycle caused the exterior metal surfaces to deteriorate during the past 100 years. Cast iron columns supporting the dome also started rusting.

The dome was re-gilded with 65 ounces of gold.