What are the Key Facts of Colorado?
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State |
Colorado |
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State Capital |
Denver |
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Largest City |
Denver |
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Coordinates |
39°00′N 105°30′W |
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Nickname(s) |
The Centennial State, Colo |
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Postal Abbreviation |
CO |
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Area |
104,094 sq. mi (269,837 sq. km) |
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Highest Point |
Mount Elbert in Lake County, 14,440 ft (4,401.2 m) |
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Neighboring States |
Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma,New Mexico, Utah, Arizona |
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Number of Counties |
64 |
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Population |
5,695,564 (2,018) |
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Date of Entering the Union |
August 1, 1876 |
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State Anthem |
Where the Columbines Grow and Rocky Mountain High |
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Governor |
Jared Polis (Democratic Party) |
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Lieutenant Governor |
Dianne Primavera (Democratic Party) |
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U.S. Senators |
Michael Bennet (Democratic Party), Cory Gardner (Republicans) |
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U.S. House Delegation |
4 Democrats, 3 Republicans |
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GDP (Millions of Dollars) |
3,71,750 |
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Demonym |
Coloradan |
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Time Zones |
UTC-07:00 (Mountain), Summer (DST) UTC-06:00 (MDT) |
Where is Colorado?
Colorado (38th state of the US) is located in the western part of the United States of America. It shares its border with Utah to the west, New Mexico to the south, Oklahoma to the southeast, Kansas to the east, Nebraska to the northeast, and Wyoming to the north. This state also touches Arizona at the Four Corners to the southwest.
What is the Geography of Colorado?
Colorado is spread across a total area of 104,094 sq. mi (269,837 sq. km), out of which 103,642 sq. mi (268,431 sq. km) is land area and 452 sq. mi (1,170 sq. km) is water area. The water area is just 0.4%. In terms of length and width, Colorado is 380 mi (612 km) long and 280 mi (451 km) wide.
Most of the southern Rocky Mountains are located within Colorado. The other major terrains of the state are Colorado Plateau (in the northeast) and the Great Plains (on the western edge). The mean elevation of the state is 6,800 ft (2,073 m) above sea level, which is the highest mean elevation among the 50 states of the US.
While Mt. Elbert on the Rocky Mountains is the highest elevation point at 14,440 ft (4,401 m) above sea level, the lowest elevation point is the Arkansas River at 3,315 ft (1,010 m) above sea level. There are 54 mountain peaks in Colorado that have heights over 14,000 ft (4,267 m). The major mountains in the state are Mount Elbert, Mount Massive, Mount Harvard, Blanca Peak, La Plata Peak, Uncompahgre Peak, etc.
While Colorado River, Arkansas River, Rio Grande, and South Platte River are the major rivers in Colorado, the major lakes are Grand Lake, John Martin Reservoir, and Blue Mesa Reservoir is the major rivers. Though Colorado is situated in the Rocky Mountain region, the landscape is not at all mountainous. The flatlands are located in the eastern 2/5th of the state.
The northern Americas Great Plains from the Rocky Mountains slopes eastwards and extends from Canada to the south. It covers the eastern parts. The Colorado Plateau is situated in the western region of the state. This region consists of high plateaus along with deep and rugged canyons.
Colorado National Parks
Colorado is home to four national parks, each of which is distinct and offers its unique features of what makes the state beautiful. Some of the nation’s most remarkable natural landmarks are found within the boundaries of Colorado’s four National Parks and preserves (Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes and Black Canyon of the Gunnison national park). Check this Colorado National Parks Map locating all the national parks in the US.
What is the Climate of Colorado?
Colorado has a vast geographical variation including high elevation, midlatitude, and continental interior geography, resulting in a climate that is cool, dry, and invigorating.
The average annual temperature of the state is 43.5 °F (6.4 °C). This temperature is around 13.7 degrees below the global average. The temperature variation among seasons as well as day-and-night is large. The average annual rainfall level in Colorado is 17 inches (432 mm). This is also significantly lower than the 38 inches (965 mm) global average of rainfall.
The climatic variation takes place in Colorado with respect to the region. There are three geographical regions: Eastern Colorado, Mountains, and Western Colorado.
In the Eastern Colorado region, the climate remains comparatively uniform with low relative humidity, infrequent rain/snow, abundant sunshine, and significantly large temperature change (both seasonal and daily). The maximum temperature during summer remains around 95 °F (35 °C). The extremes during winter are usually between 0 °F (-18 °C) and -15 °F (-26 °C). The average annual level of rainfall is around 10-20 inches (254-508 mm). Mid-May-to-early-August is prone to tornadoes.
In the mountainous regions, the level of rainfall, humidity, wind, and temperature varies as per elevation, especially in lower mountain valleys below 7,000 ft and above 14,000 ft. During summer afternoons, the temperature decreases consistently by 4-5 °F (-16 °C to -15 °C) per 1,000 ft (305 m). Most extreme cold weather is found the mountain valleys. Northwestern Colorado’s Yampa valley experiences a temperature as low as -61 °F (-52 °C) at Yampa valley and -60 °F (-51 °C) at Taylor Reservoir under extreme conditions.
Western Colorado region is located in the farther west of Colorado with slightly less extreme topography. The winter season here is colder but less variation in weather is found than that of the east of the mountains. Temperature easily drops to 0 °F (-18 °C) throughout this state. As you approach the Utah border, the temperature and rainfall become progressively warmer and lesser respectively.
What is the Economy of Colorado?
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that Colorado’s State GDP (adjusted for inflation) increased at the rate of 3.5%, 3.1%, 2.4%, and 4.4% in 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 respectively. In terms of growth rate, the economy of this state had the 7th best performance in 2018. Total Gross Domestic Product for this state was US$ 371,749.6 million, US$ 350,004.4 million, US$ 329,368.3 million, and US$ 318,554.9 million in 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 respectively. It was US$ 248,593.6 million in 2009.
The economy is mainly dependent upon scientific research, high-technology industries, food processing, tourism, mineral mining (mainly molybdenum and gold), chemical products, transportation equipment, and machinery.
The major export items of the state are Beef cuts (boneless, fresh/chilled), integrated circuits (excluding processors/controllers), medical/dental/veterinarian instruments, beef cuts (boneless, frozen), Aircraft including engines/parts, integrated circuits (processors/controllers), orthopedic appliances, etc. In 2018, the export value was US$8.3 billion, which grew by 3.3% in 2018 w.r.t. 2017.
The import value of Colorado in 2018 was US$ 13.520 billion, which grew by 4.4% in 2018 w.r.t 2017. The major imports were crude oil from petroleum and bituminous minerals, electronic integrated circuits, digital processing units, instruments & applications for medical/surgical/dental/veterinary, hearing aids, etc.
The unemployment rate in October 2019 was 2.6%, lower than the US rate of 3.6% in the same month. As per the 2018 American Community Survey’s 1-year estimate, the state’s poverty rate was 9.6%.
What is the Transportation System of Colorado?
Colorado has an extensive transport system, based on roadways (highway and Surface Street,), railway, and airways. The major roadways are Interstate 25 (I-25), I-70, I-225, I-270, I-76, I-80, and U.S. Route 6/24/34/36/40/50/84/85/87/138/160/285/287/350/400/491/550. There are many state highways too.
T public sector mass transit system is mainly concentrated in Denver. It includes bus, light rail, commuter rail, and many more. Amtrak Passenger Railroad Routes include California Zephyr and Southwest Chief.
The major airports in this state are Denver International Airport (in Denver), City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (in Colorado Springs), Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (in Aspen), and Grand Junction Regional Airport (in Grand Junction), etc.
Why Colorado is called the “Centennial State”?
This state is called the Centennial State because it became a part of the union in 1876, which was the 100th year after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Other nicknames for the state are “The Silver State”, “The Lead State”, “The Buffalo Plains State”, “Switzerland of America”, and “The Highest State”.
What are the Popular Tourist Attractions in Colorado?
Rocky Mountain National Park, Vail and Nearby Mountain Towns, Mesa Verde National Park, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak in Pike National Forest, Durango and the Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway, San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and the Million Dollar Highway, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Mount Evans, Colorado National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, Mountain Biking Trails near Fruita, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Uncompahgre National Forest etc.
Facts About Colorado
Colorado is the 38th state of the United States. In terms of area, it is the 8th biggest state in the country. The capital of Colorado is Denver and it is also the largest city. Colorado attained statehood on August 1, 1876 and the people of Colorado are named Coloradans. Familiarize yourself with Colorado facts and trivia to get more idea about the state. 1) The red marble that provides the Colorado State Capitol its unique grandeur is known as “Beulah red”. Shaping, shining, and fixing the marble in the Capitol needed six years, since 1894 to 1900. The entire quantity of the “Beulah red” marble in the world was utilized for the Capitol. Nothing can substitute it at any cost.
2) Colorado is the sole state in the chronicles, to decline the Olympics. The Winter Olympics in 1976 were intended to be organized in Denver. Sixty two percent of the state electorate preferred at nearly the eleventh hour not to organize the Olympics, due to the expenditure, contamination, and population explosion it would create on the City of Denver and the State of Colorado.
3) Colorado Springs houses The United States Air Force Academy.
4) Grand Mesa is home to the biggest flat-top mountain in the world.
5) The town residents observe “Mike the Headless Chicken Day” in Fruita. It appears that a cultivator known as L.A. Olsen severed Mike’s head in hope of a chicken feast on September 10, 1945 – and Mike survived for a further four years with no head.
6) The LoDo area of Denver represents Lower Downtown.
7) Denver declares that it created the cheeseburger. The brand for the term Cheeseburger was granted to Louis Ballast in 1935
. 8) The tallest cemented thoroughfare in Northern United States is the Way leading to Mt. Evans away from Interstate-70 of Idaho Springs. The way ascends to 14,258 feet above sea level.
9) The word Colorado stands for “colored red” and the nickname for the state is “Centennial State”.
10) The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Rail-road keeps on offering perennial train services by running a famous train with wheeled vehicles native to the line. The line was built mostly to transport mineral ores like silver and gold from the San Juan Mountains.
11) The Federal Government of the United States possesses over 33% of the territory in Colorado.
12) Colorado is home to 3/4th of the territory of the United States with an elevation of more than 10,000 feet.
13) The state is home to 222 state wildlife parks.
14) Colfax Avenue in Denver is the most extensive uninterrupted avenue in the United States.
15) The 13th stair of the state capital house in Denver is precisely 1 mile above sea level.
16) The Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel is situated in the middle of Summit County and Clear Creek County. It is the tallest vehicle passageway in the world. Dug at an altitude of 11,000 feet below the Continental Divide, the length of the tunnel is 8,960 feet and the average travel every day surpasses 26,000 cars.
17) With an altitude of 10,430 feet, the tallest incorporated city in the U.S. is Leadville. Since there were many towns with the word “silver” at that period, the political leaders and statesmen recommended Leadville.
18) The patriotic song “America the Beautiful” was authored by Katherine Lee Bates once she got motivated by the sight from Pikes Peak.
19) Loveland is the place from which hundreds of thousands of greeting cards are re-mailed annually.
20) Fountain has the merit of being the millennium city of the United States since it best represents the general make-up of America. The city is the most precise depiction of the “melting pot” in the United States. It was nominated once a social scientist of Queens College processed Census Bureau figures in an endeavor to locate the sole city in the nation that best symbolized the demographic composition of the U.S.
21) The sole city in the United States to have four surviving receivers of the Medal of Honor is Pueblo.
22) The Republic Plaza is the highest structure in Colorado and the building has 57 stories. It is situated in Denver.
23) The biggest rodeo in the world is annually held by Denver, and it is named the Western Stock Show.
24) Denver is home to the biggest city park network in the country. There are 205 parks within the city boundaries and parks covering 20,000 acres in the close by mountains.
25) Dove Creek is nicknamed the “Pinto Bean” capital of the world.
26) The highest sand dune in the United States is situated in Great Sand Dunes National Monument away from Alamosa. This out of the ordinary 46,000-acre site of 700 feet tall sand crests was the formation of wind and seawaters over one million years back.
27) Deer Trail housed the oldest rodeo of the world, which took place on July 4, 1869.
28) In 1806, Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike discovered the southwestern segment of the Louisiana Territory. In spite of the fact he never ascended the summit that carries his name, Montgomery issued a statement that drew plenty of attention to the place.
29) The motto of “Pikes Peak or Bust”, highlighted throughout most of the grassland yachts, was derived at a period when voyagers started their journey to the west. Nevertheless, just a limited number of people who congregated at the area ever unearthed gold.
30) The Pikes Peak is located at an elevation of 14,110 feet above sea level and more than 400,000 mountaineers climb it every year.
31) The suitably named town of Twin Lakes puts two neighboring natural lakes at the base of Mt. Elbert, the tallest Fourteener in the state.
32) The Colorado Rockies are a division of the Cordillera in North America, which extends for 3,000 miles from Alaska, via the western United States and Canada, into northern parts of Mexico. The attractions of this spectacular mountain are the summits with elevations of more than 14,000 feet. Mountaineers lovingly call them as “Fourteeners”. The state houses 52 Fourteeners.
33) Rocky Ford is nicknamed the “melon capital of the world.”
34) The Yampa River underneath Craig, a town of the northwest, contains northern pike in the 20-pound variety. At the same time, the Frying Pan and Roaring Fork rivers are popular sites for trout catching.
35) The state is famous for featuring the tallest mean elevation among all the U.S. states.
36) Mesa Verde boasts a sophisticated four-story city sculpted in the rock faces by the indigenous Pueblo tribes between 600 and 1300 A.D. The secrecy bordering this very old artistic milestone is the abrupt vanishing of the thousands of residents who made over 4,000 well-known formations.
37) Colorado is home to more number of microbreweries per head than any other American state.
38) The Kit Carson County Merry-Go-Round in Burlington goes back to 1905, which makes it the first carousel made of wood in the U.S. It is the exclusive American Merry-Go-Round made of wood still with its initial coating.
39) The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is running uninterruptedly from 1881. It has been shown in over 12 films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and How the West Was Won (1963).
40) The tallest viaduct in the world is situated on the Royal Gorge close to Canon City. This suspension bridge covers the entire width of the Arkansas River at an elevation of 1,053 feet.
41) Glenwood Springs houses the biggest natural hot springs pool in the world. The pool is two blocks in length and lies crosswise the road from the famous Hotel Colorado, a preferred halt of past president Theodore Roosevelt.
42) The Astor House in Golden was constructed by Seth Lake in 1867. It was the oldest stone hotel constructed to the west of the Mississippi River.
43) The southwestern end of Colorado edges New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. It is the only site in the U.S. where the corners of four states join.
44) There are almost 20 rivers in Colorado that have their origins in the state. The Continental Divide regulates the itinerary of every river.
45) The Colorado Rockies perform at the Coors Field, situated in downtown Denver. The arena accommodates 50,000 people.
46) John Gregory found “The Gregory Lode” in a gorge in close proximity to Central City in 1859. In fourteen days, the gold rush started and in 60 days, the number of people rose to 10,000. They were looking for their luck. The name of the place was branded as “The Richest Square Mile on Earth”.
47) Fort Garland is the first and foremost army base in Colorado. It was set up in 1858 and controlled by Kit Carson, the renowned backwoodsman.
48) Plentiful nesting and seasonal birds and other indigenous creatures offer a “top-notch” entertaining flora and fauna trip. Sandhill cranes, bald eagles and other birds of prey, seashore birds and aquatic birds are found on a recurrent basis at San Luis Lakes next to Alamosa.
49 Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in the neighborhood of Cripple Creek is a famous example, traditionally laid down in the erstwhile silhouette of the Guffey Volcano. It broke open millions of years back, forming vestiges and filling the basin with fossilized plants.
50) John Henry “Doc” Holliday’s short and riotous way of life took him to Glenwood Springs. On November 8, 1887, he gave way to tuberculosis and passed away at Hotel Glenwood in Glenwood Springs.
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