Colburn Automobile Company


The Colburn Automobile Company was a Brass Era car manufacturer in Denver, Colorado. The company produced cars from 1906-1911. in their factory at 15th Street and Colfax Avenue.
Colburns were built as a roadster, and later as a touring car. They were fashioned after the French Renault with the radiator positioned behind the sloping hood. The Model 30 and Model 40 roadsters were fast with a top speed of 72 miles per hour and often competed in road races and track events around the Denver area. The roadster featured a 4-cylinder, 40HP engine and 4 speed transmission and sold for $4,500.00. A large shiny brass "C" emblazoned the front of the automobiles.

The Colburn Family

Herbert C. Colburn and Ernest A. Colburn Jr. were the sons of Judge Ernest A. Colburn. The judge was a very wealthy man, having made his fortune as a mine owner in the Cripple Creek, Colorado mining district. The judge was the financial backer of the automobile; it was designed and built by his sons. There was a falling out between the judge and his sons, possibly over Judge Colburn's divorcing the boys' mother and remarrying another woman. This dispute resulted in the judge closing the factory and putting an end to the Colburn automobile.
H.C. and his brother E.A. Jr. were inventors and always interested in engineering and technology. They held at least two patents for the design of mining machinery. At one time, the brothers ran the Ajax Mine in Victor, one of the many mines owned by the judge.