-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 CZ2fXREbAbvv3HEthgneDy2d9PfwwWQ/xl5CVC8++8DfkIS0fO8DRNSbVWYSs2Yf
 DSG2WzHzR6KRMDGaZUpbjA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001292058-04-000001.txt : 20040602
<SEC-HEADER>0001292058-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040602
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040602154930
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001292058-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040601
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040602

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			McDonald Andy
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001292058

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20288
		FILM NUMBER:		04844504

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		253-305-1900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1301 A STREET, STE. 800, MS-3100
		CITY:			TACOMA
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98402-4200

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000887343
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				911422237
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1102 BROADWAY PLAZA
		CITY:			TACOMA
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98402
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2533051900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1102 BROADWAY PLAZA
		CITY:			TACOMA
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98402
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-06-01</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000887343</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COLUMBIA BANKING SYSTEM INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>COLB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001292058</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>McDonald Andy</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1301 'A' STREET, MS-3100, STE. 800</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TACOMA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98402-4200</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>21.66</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-05-26</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-05-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kristy W. House</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>attach_1.htm
<TEXT>
<HTML><BODY><PRE>



                         Power of Attorney







 This Statement confirms that the undersigned, has

authorized and designated Melanie J. Dressel, Kristy W. House

and Miranda Frost, each with full power to act alone, to execute

and file on the undersigned's behalf all Forms 3, 4, and 5

(including any amendments thereto) that the undersigned may be

required to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange

Commission as a result of the undersigned's ownership of or

transactions in securities of Columbia Banking System, Inc.  The

authority of Melanie J. Dressel, Kristy W. House and Miranda

Frost under this Statement shall continue until the undersigned

is not longer required to file Forms 3, 4, and 5 with regard to

his/her ownership of or transactions in securities of Columbia

Banking System, Inc., unless earlier revoked in writing.  The

undersigned acknowledges that none of Columbia Banking System,

Inc., Melanie J. Dressel, Kristy W. House, or Miranda Frost is

assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply

with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.







Date:  October 22, 2003  Signature: /s/  Dan Regis

















</PRE></BODY></HTML>

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