Free Colorado

Like the Republic of Texas, the Free Colorado State doesn't much care who it upsets. Where Texas deliberately antagonizes other nations, Free Colorado is simply too freewheeling to notice. With its mountain-based cities, Free Colorado is a pirate's paradise. Currently, the pirate-controlled city of Boulder and the "free city" of Denver are the leading political capitals, though it is difficult to say which has the real power.

Surrounded by dry nations, Boulder's primary interest lies in running alcohol into those areas, along with the occasional raid of resources. In addition, a thriving outlaw mechanic industry has formed in Colorado, with scores of machinists and aircraft experts performing illegal and dangerous modifications on pirate craft.

The Denver government maintains ties to Appalachia, The Confederation of Dixie, and the Nation of Hollywood, all wet nations. Utah is the highest-profile target of Free Colorado illegal activities, and the Utah militias are constantly fighting off raiders and smugglers who come in over the Roan Plateau. The Navajo Nation has put standing bounties on the heads of Free Colorado's most successful smugglers; more recently, Texas has turned its red eye toward Free Colorado for the sacking of Amarillo.

The current leader of Free Colorado (in any official capacity) is "The Honorable" Governor Longfellow Page, who claims to be a "writer, poet, scholar, scientist and gentleman"—all claims of dubious veracity. Despite his checkered past, Page has done an admirable job of pleasing his constituents (generally made up of those who did not favor strong government involvement in day-to-day affairs). Given Page’s general dislike of work, this attitude suits him well.

Unofficially, the capital of Colorado is not Denver; rather it is a miniature city, constructed high atop Mount Wausa: Sky Haven. A nest of pirates, bootleggers and criminals, the real seat of power is this secret city. The approach to Sky Haven is precarious; small craft that are not instantly recognized are gunned down on sight, while larger craft (such as zeppelins) must know the precise approach, through narrow, twisting canyons. Failure to negotiate the labyrinthine passageways results in a spectacular crash (and the occasional strafing run from Sky Haven’s inhabitants).