Colorado

Colorado is a landlocked state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is part of the Mountain states and the Southwestern United States, sharing the Four Corners region with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. The state is famous for its beautiful landscapes, including mountains, forests, high plains, mesas, canyons, plateaus, rivers, and desert lands. Colorado covers a large area and is the eighth-largest U.S. state by area, though it ranks 20th by population.

For thousands of years, the region has been home to Native Americans and their Paleo-Indian ancestors. In the mid-1800s, the Pike's Peak Gold Rush brought many new settlers to the area. Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876, when President Ulysses S. Grant signed Proclamation 230, making it the 38th state to join the Union.

Today, Denver is the capital and largest city, while Colorado Springs is the second-largest. Colorado is known for its strong education system, good jobs, and high quality of healthcare. The state's economy includes industries such as government, defense, mining, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. However, Colorado faces challenges from climate change, which may affect its farming, forests, and tourism in the future.

History

Main articles: Prehistory of Colorado and History of Colorado

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Colorado history.

The land that is now Colorado has been home to Native Americans and their Paleo-Indian ancestors for many thousands of years. The Lindenmeier site has old objects from about 8720 BCE. The Ancient Pueblo peoples lived in the valleys and plateaus of the Colorado Plateau. The Ute Nation lived in the mountain valleys of the Southern Rocky Mountains and the Western Rocky Mountains. The Apache and the Comanche lived in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state. In the 1600s, the Arapaho and Cheyenne moved west from the Great Lakes region to hunt on the High Plains of Colorado and Wyoming.

The U.S. got this land from France in 1803 with the Louisiana Purchase. In 1806, Zebulon Pike explored the area. In 1819, the Adams-Onís Treaty helped the U.S. get more land. Later, in 1848, Mexico gave up land to the U.S. with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This included much of western and southern Colorado.

Colorado Territory

On February 28, 1861, President James Buchanan signed a law to create the free Territory of Colorado, with its present-day borders.

Civil war

In 1861, when the American Civil War began, there were small fights between people who supported the Confederacy and those who supported the Union. In August, Governor Gilpin formed the 1st Colorado Infantry. John P. Slough led them to New Mexico Territory for battles.

With the war using up resources, there was little left for mines, farms, and building, so Denver did not grow much.

On March 26, 1862, John Evans was chosen by Abraham Lincoln to be the second governor of the territory. He helped build railroads in Denver and started the University of Denver in 1864.

Statehood

The United States Congress passed a law in 1875 for Colorado to become a state. On August 1, 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant made Colorado the 38th state, earning it the name “Centennial State.”

Silver was found near Leadville in 1878, starting the Colorado Silver Boom. Later, gold was found at Cripple Creek, bringing more people looking for gold. In 1893, women in Colorado were allowed to vote, making it the second state to give universal suffrage.

Twentieth and twenty-first centuries

In the early 1900s, bad working conditions caused fights between miners and the Colorado National Guard.

Colorado was the first western state to host a big political meeting when the Democratic Party met in Denver in 1908. By 1930, Colorado had more than one million people. The state had hard times during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s but got better after World War II. Tourism and technology became important for the state’s economy.

In 1967, Colorado was the first state to make abortion easier to access. Since the late 1990s, Colorado has seen some very sad events. The state has since made laws to control firearms better.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Colorado

See also: List of cities and towns in Colorado, List of counties in Colorado, List of rivers of Colorado, and Four Corners Monument

Colorado has many different landscapes, including tall mountains, flat plains, sandy deserts, and deep canyons. The United States set Colorado’s borders using lines of latitude and longitude in 1861. These straight lines make Colorado special, along with Wyoming and Utah. The southwest corner of Colorado is home to the Four Corners Monument, where four states—Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah—meet.

About half of Colorado is flat, rolling land called the Colorado Eastern Plains. This area has farms and ranches, with crops like corn, wheat, and hay. Many towns here have water towers and grain elevators. The Front Range, where most people live, runs along the edge of the Rocky Mountains and includes cities like Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. West of the plains are the Rocky Mountains, home to famous peaks such as Longs Peak and Pikes Peak. The highest point in Colorado is Mount Elbert. The Western Slope, on the other side of the mountains, has deserts, rivers, and many national parks and ski resorts.

Climate

The climate of Colorado is very different from other states because of its mountains, foothills, high plains, and desert lands. The mountains and valleys change the weather a lot.

The eastern part of Colorado is mostly high plains. The north has a mix of plains, foothills, and mountains. The northwest and west are mainly mountainous with some desert areas. The southwest and south have a mix of desert and mountain climates.

Colorado’s weather can change quickly, especially in the east where thunderstorms are common in spring and summer. The eastern plains can get very hot in summer and very cold in winter. Hail storms are frequent, and tornadoes can occur. Colorado also experiences droughts and wildfires because it is often dry. The mountains get a lot of snow, which provides water for many states in the southwest and west.

Fauna

Further information on the lists of: amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles

Colorado has many different animals. In the mountains, you can see mule deer, moose, and red foxes. The foothills have deer and coyotes. The prairies are home to prairie dogs and jackrabbits.

Gray wolves used to live in Colorado but were gone for a time. Now, some have come back. Work to protect nature has helped pronghorns, a fast kind of antelope, grow in number after they became rare.

Government

Main article: Government of Colorado

State government

Colorado, like all U.S. states, has three parts to its government: legislative, executive, and judicial. The Governor leads the executive branch, and the current governor is Jared Polis. The state legislature, called the Colorado General Assembly, has two parts: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The highest court is the Colorado Supreme Court, with the Colorado Court of Appeals below it. Colorado is divided into areas, each with its own courts.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Colorado

See also: Political party strength in Colorado and United States presidential elections in Colorado

Colorado used to change between political parties but now usually votes Democratic. Cities like Denver and Boulder often vote Democratic, while places such as Colorado Springs often vote Republican.

Colorado has two senators in the U.S. Senate and eight representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Counties

Main article: List of counties in Colorado

Colorado is divided into 64 counties. The most people live in El Paso County, home to Colorado Springs, while Hinsdale County has the fewest people.

Municipalities

Main article: List of municipalities in Colorado

Colorado has many cities and towns. The largest is Denver, the state capital. Most big cities are along the Front Range.

Unincorporated communities

Main articles: List of census-designated places in Colorado and List of populated places in Colorado

Many people in Colorado live in places that are not official cities or towns. The largest such place is Highlands Ranch near Denver.

Special districts

Colorado has thousands of special districts that help with things like transportation, schools, and fire safety.

Statistical areas

Main article: List of statistical areas in Colorado

Colorado has several areas used for studying populations. The biggest is the Denver–Aurora–Centennial Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Demographics

The United States Census Bureau estimated Colorado’s population on July 1, 2024, to be about 5.96 million. This was a 3.2% increase since the 2020 United States census.

Coloradans of Hispanic or Latino heritage made up about 21% of the population. Many of them live in cities like Denver and Colorado Springs. The largest ancestry groups in Colorado are German, Mexican, Irish, and English. Colorado also has communities of African-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Native Americans, especially around Denver.

The most common languages spoken in Colorado are English and Spanish. In terms of religion, Colorado is mostly Christian, with many people identifying as Protestant or Catholic. A large portion of the population also says they have no specific religious affiliation.

Health

Colorado is often seen as one of the healthiest states in the United States. The state has many outdoor activities that help people stay active and healthy. However, health can vary between different areas.

People in Colorado tend to weigh less than people in other states. In 2018, about 24% of people in Colorado were considered obese, the lowest rate in the country. People in Colorado also live longer on average than people in any other U.S. state, with an average life expectancy of 80.21 years in 2014. Sadly, there are also many people without homes in Colorado.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Colorado

Colorado's economy started with mining and farming. Now, it has many kinds of work. The state is famous for science, technology, and food processing. Colorado makes a lot of beer, and Denver is an important money center.

The state's beautiful nature draws many visitors, which helps the economy. Colorado has many government places, forests, and parks that are important for work. Famous brands like Coors beer and Samsonite luggage began in Colorado.

Culture

Colorado has a rich and varied culture, especially in the arts. Many famous Western films were filmed in Colorado, using its old forts, railways, and ghost towns for real settings. The state has many film festivals, such as the Denver Film Festival and the Telluride Film Festival. Famous writers like Jack Kerouac have lived in Colorado, and the state’s landscapes have inspired many stories.

Colorado is known for its special foods, including Southwest and Rocky Mountain cuisine. Boulder is famous for its food and has more Master Sommeliers than any other city. The state also makes wine and craft beer, with many wineries and breweries winning awards. Colorado’s high vineyards make unique wines, and areas like Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins are known for their many craft breweries.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Colorado

Colorado’s main way of getting around is its highway system. Interstate 25 goes north to south, linking cities like Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Fort Collins. It connects to Wyoming in the north and New Mexico in the south. Interstate 70 goes east to west, connecting Grand Junction and mountain towns to Denver, and continues to Utah and Kansas.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It handles most of the air travel in Colorado and is a key hub for flights in the western United States. Public transportation includes bus services in cities and between cities. The Regional Transportation District runs buses and light rail in the Denver area. There are also bus services like Burlington Trailways, Bustang, and Greyhound Lines.

Amtrak offers two passenger rail lines in Colorado: the California Zephyr and the Southwest Chief. These trains connect Colorado to other states and are part of the state's railroad history.

Education

Main articles: List of colleges and universities in Colorado and List of high schools in Colorado

See also: Table of Colorado school districts, Table of Colorado charter schools, and Auraria Campus

Colorado has a long history of education. The first college in Colorado was the Colorado Seminary, which opened in 1864. It later became the University of Denver. Other important schools opened later, like the University of Colorado in 1876 and Colorado State University in 1879.

In 1954, the U.S. Air Force Academy was created, and Colorado Springs was chosen as its home. The academy started in 1955 and moved to its permanent campus in Colorado Springs in 1958. The first class of Space Force officers from the Air Force Academy graduated in 2020.

Indigenous people

Colorado is home to several Native American groups. Today, two reservations remain: the Southern Ute Indian Reservation and the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation. In the past, there were also the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian Reservation and the Ute Indian Reservation, but these are no longer active. These reservations show the long history of Native American people in Colorado.

Military installations

Colorado has several important military bases. Some of the main bases today are Buckley Space Force Base, Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the United States Air Force Academy.

In the past, Colorado had many other military posts. These included Spanish Fort, Fort Massachusetts, and Fort Garland. These places were important in the history of the United States.

Protected areas

Main article: List of protected areas of Colorado

Colorado has many beautiful places for people to visit and enjoy. There are 4 national parks, 9 national monuments, and 11 national forests where visitors can explore nature. The state also has 42 state parks and many other areas that help protect the state's natural beauty and history. These places offer chances to hike, camp, and learn about wildlife and the environment.

Sports

Main article: Sports in Colorado

Colorado has five major professional sports teams, and they all play in the Denver area. It is the least populous state to have teams in each of the big professional leagues.

The state is also known for exciting events like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, a race up a steep mountain road. The Cherry Hills Country Club has hosted important golf tournaments such as the U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Women's Open, PGA Championship, and BMW Championship.

Main article: List of college athletic programs in Colorado

Many colleges and universities in Colorado compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, offering many sports for students to enjoy and support.