You’ve probably seen the headlines or a blurry photo of it on social media. The Colorado State Capitol Trump portrait has become one of the most talked-about pieces of statehouse art in American history, but not necessarily for the reasons the artist intended. It’s been at the center of a Russian president prank, a $10,000 GoFundMe campaign, and a very public social media roasting by the subject himself.
Honestly, the drama surrounding this canvas is more intense than most legislative sessions.
If you walk into the gold-domed Capitol in Denver and head up to the third-floor rotunda, you'll find the "Gallery of Presidents." It’s a circular hall where every U.S. commander-in-chief hangs in a uniform, classical style. But for a long time, the spot reserved for the 45th president was notably—and awkwardly—blank.
The $10,000 GoFundMe and the "Putin Prank"
Most people assume the state just pays for these paintings. Nope. In Colorado, these portraits are funded by private donations through a non-profit called Colorado Citizens for Culture. By 2018, while other presidents had their likenesses safely behind glass, the fund for the Trump portrait was sitting at a grand total of zero dollars.
That’s when things got weird.
In July 2018, a member of the progressive group ProgressNow Colorado was let into the Capitol by a Democratic staffer. They placed a framed photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the empty easel where Trump’s portrait was supposed to go.
It was a prank that went viral instantly.
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It also lit a fire under Colorado Republicans. Then-Senate President Kevin Grantham didn't find it funny. He launched a GoFundMe to prove a point, and the internet responded. Within about 32 hours, over 200 donors chipped in to hit the $10,000 goal. Basically, the portrait was "crowdfunded" into existence.
The Artist in the Crosshairs: Sarah Boardman
The commission went to Sarah A. Boardman, a highly respected artist from Colorado Springs. She wasn't a political newcomer to the rotunda; she had actually painted the portrait of President Barack Obama that hangs in the same gallery.
Boardman spent four months working on the piece. She used a photograph approved by the Capitol Building Advisory Committee and aimed for a "classical realist" style to match the work of Lawrence Williams, the artist who painted the first 43 presidents before passing away in 2003.
When it was unveiled on August 1, 2019, Boardman described the look as:
"Thoughtful, non-confrontational, not angry, not happy, not tweeting."
For a few years, it just sat there. Tourists took selfies. School groups walked by. Everything was quiet until March 2025.
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"Purposefully Distorted": The Truth Social Takedown
On March 23, 2025, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to air his grievances. He didn't just dislike the painting; he claimed it was "purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before."
He even took a swipe at the artist's age, suggesting she "must have lost her talent as she got older," while simultaneously praising her Obama portrait as "wonderful."
He blamed Colorado Governor Jared Polis for the "bad" painting. But here’s the thing: Polis had absolutely nothing to do with it. As we mentioned, the portrait was paid for by Republicans and approved by a non-partisan committee.
The fallout was immediate and, frankly, pretty brutal for Boardman. She released a statement defending her integrity, noting that the "purposeful distortion" claims were damaging her 41-year career. She insisted she followed her contract to the letter, with zero political bias.
Why was it removed?
Politics is often about path of least resistance. On March 24, 2025, the Colorado legislature's Executive Committee ordered the portrait's removal. Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, a Republican, requested it be replaced with a "contemporary likeness."
Lundeen used the "Grover Cleveland Precedent." Since Cleveland is the only other president to serve non-consecutive terms, he is represented in the gallery by a single portrait from his second term. The idea was to wait and put up a single, updated portrait later.
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The Replacement: Vanessa Horabuena’s New Vision
By July 1, 2025, the blank space was filled again. The White House donated a new portrait to the Capitol, this one painted by Vanessa Horabuena, an artist from Arizona.
This version is based on the 2025 inaugural portrait. It’s different. It’s brighter. At Trump’s request, it was reportedly printed with a golden border designed to "catch the light" and "glimmer."
Is the Gallery Going Away?
The drama surrounding the Colorado State Capitol Trump portrait actually triggered a much larger conversation about the rotunda itself.
Members of the Capitol Building Advisory Committee, including chair Lois Court, began questioning why a state capitol has a massive gallery for federal presidents but very little space for Colorado’s own governors.
As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, there is a plan to temporarily remove the presidential portraits to make room for a Colorado 150th Anniversary exhibit. There is a real possibility that when the dust settles, the presidents—Trump, Obama, Washington, and all—might be moved elsewhere to make room for the state's own history.
Actionable Insights: Visiting the Capitol
If you’re planning to see the Colorado State Capitol Trump portrait for yourself, keep these logistical details in mind:
- Location: The portraits are located on the third floor of the Capitol (200 E Colfax Ave, Denver).
- Check the Calendar: Because of the 150th Anniversary renovations (the "Sesquicentennial"), some portraits may be rotated or moved to temporary exhibits throughout 2026.
- Take the Tour: The free "Mr. Brown’s Attic" tour provides the best context on how the art in the building is commissioned and the history of the "Rose Onyx" marble used in the rotunda.
- Respect the Space: Remember that while the art is controversial, the building is a working legislative office. Security is tight, and you'll need to go through a magnetometer at the entrance.
The saga of the portrait serves as a weird, fascinating reminder of how even a static oil painting can become a lightning rod in modern politics. Whether you think the original was "distorted" or a work of "classical realism," it’s officially a part of Colorado's strange political lore.