When Deseret declared its independence and the federal government failed to overcome the Communist-backed uprising of what became the People's Collective, the state of Colorado had two choices - continue to support the obviously-doomed federal government, or be absorbed by one of their more powerful neighbors. Colorado chose a third option - under the inspiring leadership of the state governer, Billy Adams, the local National Guard and reconstituted state militia fought off units of the People's Armed Forces in the Battle of Julesburg. Turning that victory into a popular mandate, Adams declared Colorado an independent nation, and renamed it "Free Colorado".