-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 N4aw+ncyAh6qNYjsZhVx6A0f78z6LTZNj7eINbS8X6lAsY6nxWbg6Ewgkw/FtL3T
 0TKnnm6gvMkrBMHyK/gJNw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001272621-03-000004.txt : 20031222
<SEC-HEADER>0001272621-03-000004.hdr.sgml : 20031222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031222111315
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001272621-03-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031211
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031222

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TOBEN EDMUND D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001272621

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00644
		FILM NUMBER:		031066758

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
		STREET 2:		300 PARK AVE 15TH FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2123102370

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000021665
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PERFUMES, COSMETICS & OTHER TOILET PREPARATIONS [2844]
		IRS NUMBER:				131815595
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 PARK AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2123102000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		300 PARK AVE
		STREET 2:		14TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-12-11</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000021665</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CL</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001272621</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TOBEN EDMUND D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>300 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>Chief Information Officer</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>35088</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3418</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By children</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipN
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></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F2"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><footnoteId id="F2"/></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Series B Convertible Preference Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>112</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>42.2344</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>1999-04-16</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2004-09-07</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>3012</valu
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/value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2000-09-09</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2009-09-09</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>13000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>55.6563</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2000-09-09</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2009-09-09</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>20000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecur
ity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>48.0625</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2001-09-14</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2010-09-14</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>16800</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>58.125</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDa
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<value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>55.70</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2002-07-14</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2006-09-05</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>9001</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>55.70</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2002-07-14</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></e
xerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2007-09-11</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>7878</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>54.705</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2007-03-14</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2012-03-14</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>15000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureO
fOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>55.11</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-09-12</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2012-09-12</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>25000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>52.875</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-13</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2008-09-10</val
ue></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>11370</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>52.875</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-13</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2008-03-05</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>4193</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownership
Nature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>56.565</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2004-09-11</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2009-09-11</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>23400</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose.</footnote><footnote id="F2">The reporte
d preference stock units were acquired under the issuer's Supplemental Savings &amp; Investment Plan and will be settled upon the reporting person's retirement or other termination of service.</footnote><footnote id="F3">Option became 100% exercisable on the date shown in this column.</footnote><footnote id="F4">Option becomes exercisable in one-third increments on each anniversary date, with the first third becoming exercisable on the date shown in this column.</footnote></footnotes><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Nina D. Gillman by power of attorney</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-22</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>poa_toben.txt
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY
<TEXT>


POWER OF ATTORNEY

FORMS 3, 4 AND 5

I, Edmund D. Toben, an officer of Colgate-Palmolive Company
(the "Company"), do hereby appoint Andrew D. Hendry, Nina D. Gillman,
Joyce M. McCarthy and Erica West, severally, as my true and lawful
attorneys with the power to execute and file on my behalf and in my
place and stead,as I myself could do if I were personally present,
any Form 3, 4 or 5 to be filed by me pursuant to Section 16(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with my ownership,
either directly or indirectly, or any change therein, of securities
of the Company.

This Power of Attorney shall remain in force and effect for
as long as I continue to be an officer of the Company or until earlier
revoked by me in writing and shall not otherwise be affected by my
subsequent disability or incompetence.

In witness whereof, I have signed this instrument
on December 18, 2003.



Signature:  /s/ Edmund D. Toben
Print Name:    Edmund D. Toben



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
