Overview

The State of Colarus, commonly known as Colarus (pronounced kow-luh-roos), is a small developing micronation in the Southwest United States, situated in central Gallup, New Mexico. Colarus was founded by Mothem on January 9th, 2026, and declared independence that same day. The project traces back to earlier efforts, most notably the Federal Republic of RedCliff, which came before the nation was re-founded as Colarus.

Etymology

The name "Colarus" comes from Latin and means "Land of the Hills." It combines "col," from collis (hill), a linking vowel "a," and "rus" (country) — chosen to reflect the hilly geography of the nation's territory.

Motto & Vision

Colarus's national motto is "With Strength and Unity!" Located near residential neighborhoods in central Gallup, the nation hopes to influence its local community and make a positive impact, guided by three core goals: national stability through structured governance, diplomatic relations with other micronations and international entities, and a visible national presence in its claimed territory.

Government & Politics

Colarus is a constitutional presidency, with power split between the President and the National Council, under the Constitution of the State of Colarus, ratified July 31st, 2026. The President heads the Executive Authority, appoints and removes ministers, and may veto legislation passed by the Council, while the National Council — made up of the secretaries of each ministry — drafts laws and can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote. Government is organized into five ministries: Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, Defense, Finance, and the Capital Ministry.

Citizenship & e-Residency

Citizenship is granted automatically upon acceptance of an application, and every citizen is constitutionally guaranteed rights including free speech, the right to keep and bear arms, freedom of religion, the right to protest, property rights, and the right to life. Entry into mainland Colarus requires a single-use visa issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Colarus also offers e-Residency, a digital membership program open to applicants anywhere in the world as a first step toward full citizenship.

Foreign Relations

Under the Constitution, Colarus extends diplomatic recognition only to nations that control physical territory, maintain a functioning government, and have a permanent population. Within the micronational community, Colarus has extended recognition to the Gaelic Kingdom of Mabruenia.

Geography & Climate

Colarus sits at an elevation of 6,515 feet, and the Pine Tree is its most common plant. The rainy season runs roughly 4.5 months, from late June to mid-November, with most rainfall arriving as summer thunderstorms. The average high temperature is 66.0°F.