The Capitol Building Advisory Committee held a wide-ranging discussion about the presidential portrait gallery in the State Capitol rotunda after a recent removal of the portrait of the current president at the White House's request. Committee members agreed at the meeting to temporarily leave the wall vacant while they gather more information and solicit feedback.

The chair framed options for the rotunda: continue the presidential gallery, rotate governors’ portraits (the committee noted Colorado lacks space to display all governor portraits), or create a mixed or rotating program tied to events such as the state’s 150th anniversary. Mr. Prince told the committee the removed portrait is being preserved in the state's collection: "it's being stored in the state's collection, you know, properly being stored in the state's collection. So I think we can find some language," he said.

Committee members expressed a range of views. Some said converting the rotunda for a governors' gallery during the 150th would be an appropriate way to showcase state leadership and noted that four governor portraits are missing (three historic portraits plus the current governor's portrait). Others cautioned against a hurried decision and urged a broader inventory of wall space and a thoughtful curatorial plan; Miss Garcia Berry characteristically urged against "knee-jerk" changes.

Committee members also raised procedural and precedent questions after the removal of the presidential portrait, including whether the state’s process needs review to prevent similar removals in the future and how to manage offers of donated portraits. The chair said she would contact former committee chair President Grantham to seek his perspective, and the group discussed interim language to place at the empty space so the wall does not appear neglected.

No formal vote was taken. The committee agreed to hold the matter and to continue discussion and outreach about wall use, interpretation and display standards before any permanent change is made.