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 known 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 region that is today the State of Colorado has been inhabited by Native Americans and their Paleo-Indian ancestors for thousands of years. The Lindenmeier site contains artifacts dating from around 8720 BCE. The Ancient Pueblo peoples lived in the valleys and mesas of the Colorado Plateau. The Ute Nation inhabited the mountain valleys of the Southern Rocky Mountains and the Western Rocky Mountains. The Apache and the Comanche also lived in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state. In the 17th century, the Arapaho and Cheyenne moved west from the Great Lakes region to hunt across the High Plains of Colorado and Wyoming.

The U.S. acquired land in this area with the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803. In 1806, Zebulon Pike led an expedition into the region. Under the 1819 Adams-Onís Treaty, the U.S. acquired Florida from Spain while giving up claims to lands west of the 100th meridian and south of the Arkansas River and the 42nd parallel. Mexico later gave up its northern territory to the U.S. with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, which included much of the western and southern areas of Colorado.

Colorado Territory

On February 28, 1861, President James Buchanan signed a law organizing the free Territory of Colorado, setting its current boundaries.

Civil war

In 1861, following the beginning of the American Civil War, there were several small disputes between supporters of the Confederacy and the Union. In August, Governor Gilpin organized the 1st Colorado Infantry. John P. Slough led the group to New Mexico Territory where they fought in battles.

With resources tied up in the war, there was little left for mines, farms, and infrastructure, and Denver stagnated.

On March 26, 1862, John Evans was appointed by Abraham Lincoln as the second governor of the territory. He promoted investment in Denver rail projects and founded the University of Denver in 1864.

Statehood

The United States Congress passed a law in 1875 setting the requirements for Colorado to become a state. On August 1, 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a proclamation admitting Colorado to the Union as the 38th state, earning it the nickname “Centennial State.”

The discovery of silver near Leadville in 1878 started the Colorado Silver Boom. Later, a major gold strike at Cripple Creek brought in more gold seekers. In 1893, Colorado women were granted the right to vote, making it the second state to grant universal suffrage.

Twentieth and twenty-first centuries

Poor labor conditions led to several major clashes between miners and the Colorado National Guard in the early 1900s.

Colorado became the first western state to host a major political convention when the Democratic Party met in Denver in 1908. By 1930, Colorado's population exceeded one million. The state suffered during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the 1930s but recovered after World War II. Tourism and high technology became important parts of the state economy.

In 1967, Colorado was the first state to loosen restrictions on abortion. Since the late 1990s, Colorado has been the site of several tragic events, including the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. The state responded with tighter restrictions on firearms.

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 Congress set Colorado’s borders using lines of latitude and longitude in 1861. These straight lines make Colorado, along with Wyoming and Utah, unique among U.S. states. The southwest corner of Colorado is home to the Four Corners Monument, the only place in the United States where four states—Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah—meet.

About half of Colorado is made up of flat, rolling land called the Colorado Eastern Plains. This area is mostly farmland and ranches, with crops like corn, wheat, and hay. Many towns here have water towers and grain elevators. The Front Range, where most Coloradans live, runs along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains and includes cities like Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. West of the plains rise the Rocky Mountains, home to famous peaks such as Longs Peak and Pikes Peak. The highest point in Colorado is Mount Elbert, which stands at 14,437.6 feet. The Western Slope, on the other side of the mountains, features 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, while 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, sometimes above 100 °F, and very cold in winter. Hail storms are frequent, and tornadoes can occur. Colorado also experiences droughts and wildfires because it is often dry. However, 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 is home to many different animals. In the mountains, you can find mule deer, moose, and red foxes. The foothills have deer and coyotes, while the prairies are home to prairie dogs and jackrabbits.

In the past, gray wolves were removed from Colorado, but recently, some have returned. Conservation efforts have helped increase the number of pronghorns, a type of fast-running antelope, after their numbers dropped low.

Government

Main article: Government of Colorado

State government

Colorado, like all U.S. states, has three branches of 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 judicial districts, 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 swing between political parties but has become more reliably Democratic in recent years. Cities like Denver and Boulder tend to vote Democratic, while areas such as Colorado Springs lean 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 populous is El Paso County, home to Colorado Springs, while the least populous is Hinsdale County.

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 areas that are not officially cities or towns. The largest such area is Highlands Ranch near Denver.

Special districts

Colorado has thousands of special districts that provide services like transportation, schools, and fire protection.

Statistical areas

Main article: List of statistical areas in Colorado

Colorado has several statistical 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, a 3.2% increase since the 2020 United States census.

Coloradans of Hispanic or Latino heritage made up about 21% of the population, with many living 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, particularly in and 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. This is partly because the state has many outdoor activities that help people stay active and healthy. However, health can vary a lot between different areas of the state, with some richer areas doing better than poorer ones.

People in Colorado tend to weigh less than people in other states. In 2018, about 24% of people in Colorado were considered obese, which is the lowest rate in the country. Also, people in Colorado live longer on average than people in any other U.S. state, with an average life expectancy of 80.21 years in 2014. Unfortunately, there are also many people without homes in Colorado, with about 10,397 homeless people reported in 2022.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Colorado

Colorado's economy has grown from its beginnings in mining and agriculture to include many different industries. Today, it is known for scientific research, high-technology industries, and food processing. The state also produces a lot of beer, with Denver being a key financial center.

Colorado's beautiful landscapes attract many tourists, who help the economy. The state has many federal facilities, national forests, and parks, which also play an important role in its economy. Many well-known brands, like Coors beer and Samsonite luggage, started in Colorado.

Culture

Colorado has a rich and varied culture, especially in the arts. Many famous Western films like True Grit and The Searchers were filmed in Colorado, using its historic forts, railways, and ghost towns for authentic settings. The state is also home to 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 scene and has more Master Sommeliers than any other city. The state also has a strong tradition of making wine and craft beer, with many wineries and breweries winning national awards. Colorado’s high-elevation vineyards produce 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 moving around is its highway system. Interstate 25 runs 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 runs 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 rich 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 rich history of education. The first institution of higher education in the Colorado Territory was the Colorado Seminary, which opened in 1864. It later became the University of Denver. Other important schools followed, including the University of Colorado, founded in 1876, and Colorado State University, which opened in 1879.

In 1954, the U.S. Air Force Academy was established, and Colorado Springs was chosen as its home. The academy began operating 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 is home to several important military bases. Some of the major current installations include 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, such as Spanish Fort, Fort Massachusetts, and Fort Garland. These locations served important roles in the history of the United States.

Protected areas

Main article: List of protected areas of Colorado

Colorado has many beautiful places set aside for people to 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, all located 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 its exciting events like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, a thrilling race up a steep mountain road. Additionally, 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 a variety of sports for students to enjoy and support.