New Utah state flag options narrowed to top 5
Nov 8, 2022, 9:38 AM | Updated: 9:53 am
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Flag Task Force has narrowed down the 20 semifinal options for a new state flag to its top five.
Designers will fine-tune those five flags, incorporating feedback from thousands of Utahns, and present them to the task force for a final vote on Thursday.
“For example, southern Utah residents preferred rich, deep reds over oranges to represent the region’s distinctive red rock landscape, while Tribal leaders encouraged stars or other representations of the state’s eight sovereign nations,” the task force said.
Top 5 new Utah state flag options
“We are extremely pleased with the public response,” David Wicai, director of strategic initiatives at the Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, told KSL.com, noting that almost every single ZIP code in Utah is represented in the feedback. “It seems that Utahns are pretty invested in selecting our next state flag and providing their feedback on what will work and what will represent Utah best.”
More than 44,000 Utahns — representing every county — submitted feedback surveys on the 20 semifinalist designs. Each of the top five featured some form of critique.
The 20 semifinalist designs for Utah’s new state flag. (Utah State Flag Task Force)
Sen. Jake Anderegg, R-Lehi, said many of the blue and orange pairings on the flag look too similar to the Denver Broncos colors, which is why he believes the orange should be redder — and southern Utah residents agreed in their feedback.
Others said the shape of the beehive and/or mountains should change.
Sen. Daniel McCay, R-Riverton, revealed an early adjustment of one of the leading designs, which Gov. Spencer Cox called his favorite, so far. The design flattens the red rock while boosting the white mountains and beehive designs.
An example of a refined version of one of the 20 Utah state flag semifinal designs. The upper image is the original design, the bottom is an early version of a revision based on preliminary feedback. (Photo: Utah State Flag Task Force)
Next steps
The task force, led by Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, will review the designs on Thursday and select one to present to the Utah Legislature. However, lawmakers do not expect to call for a special session in November, as originally planned, to vote on the new flag.
Rep. Steve Handy, R-Layton, said that should the task force submit a final recommendation, the Legislature could meet for a special session while lawmakers are at the Capitol for interim meetings.
If a new design is approved, the current flag won’t be retired. It will become the official flag of the governor’s office.
