Colorado

Basic Information

Colorado, located in the western United States, is known for its dramatic landscapes and outdoor recreational opportunities.

Capital

• Denver

Largest City

• Denver

Area

• 104,100 sq mi

Population

• 5.81 million (2020)

Demographics

Colorado's population is diverse, with a growing Hispanic population and significant urban centers.

Ethnic Composition

• White:68.7%
• Hispanic:22.5%
• African American:4.8%
• Asian:3.6%
• Native American:1.1%

Languages

• English:82.2%
• Spanish:13.9%
• Other:3.9%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:22.5%
• 18-64:64.9%
• 65+:12.6%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:1.4%
• Natural Increase:35,000
• Migration:46,000

Economy

Colorado's economy is driven by aerospace, technology, tourism, and mining, among other sectors.

GDP

• $425 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Aerospace
• Technology
• Tourism
• Mining

Employment Rate

• Employed:96.1%
• Unemployment:3.9%

Major Companies

• Lockheed Martin
• Dish Network
• Ball Corporation
• Liberty Global

Climate

Colorado's climate varies widely with elevation, from alpine to semi-arid.

Mountains

• Avg. Summer:70°F
• Avg. Winter:30°F
• Rainfall:20 inches/year
• Snowfall:100+ inches/year

Plains

• Avg. Summer:90°F
• Avg. Winter:45°F
• Rainfall:15 inches/year

Western Slope

• Avg. Summer:85°F
• Avg. Winter:40°F
• Rainfall:12 inches/year

Visiting Colorado

Colorado offers a variety of attractions, from natural wonders to urban experiences, making it a diverse destination for visitors.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer:June-August
• Winter:December-February
• Shoulder Seasons:April-May, September-October

Transportation

• Major Airports:1
• Train Routes:Amtrak California Zephyr
• Highway System:90,000 miles

Accommodation

• Hotels:5,000+
• Camping Sites:30,000+
• Average Hotel Rate:$150/night

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:40+
• Tourism Website:Colorado Tourism Office
• Info Hotline:1-800-COLORADO

Popular Attractions

Colorado's attractions range from natural wonders to urban experiences.

Natural Landmarks

• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Garden of the Gods
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Ski Resorts

• Aspen
• Vail
• Breckenridge
• Telluride

Urban Attractions

• Denver Art Museum
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• Colorado State Capitol
• Denver Botanic Gardens

Historical Sites

• Pike's Peak
• Mining towns (e.g., Central City, Georgetown)
• Anasazi cliff dwellings (Mesa Verde)

History

Colorado's history is marked by early Native American settlements, Spanish exploration, territorial status, and statehood.

Early History

• Native Peoples:13,000+ years
• Spanish Exploration:16th century
• French Territory:1803 (Louisiana Purchase)

19th Century

• Pike's Peak Gold Rush:1858
• Territorial Status:1861
• Statehood:1876

20th Century

• Mining Boom and Bust
• Agricultural Development
• Rise of Tourism and Ski Industry

Recent History

• Technological Development
• Population Growth
• Environmental Conservation

State Symbols

Colorado has adopted various official state symbols that represent its natural and cultural heritage.

State Animals

• State Animal:

  Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
• State Bird:

  Lark Bunting
• State Fish:

  Greenback Cutthroat Trout
• State Insect:

  Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Colorado Blue Columbine
• State Tree:

  Colorado Blue Spruce

Cultural Symbols

• State Colors:

  Blue and White
• State Song:

  "Where the Columbines Grow"
• State Motto:

  "Nil sine Numine" (Nothing without Providence)

Other Symbols

• State Gemstone:

  Aquamarine
• State Mineral:

  Rhodochrosite
• State Fossil:

  Stegosaurus

State Facts

Interesting and unique facts about Colorado that showcase its distinctive character and achievements.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Mount Elbert (14,440 ft)
• Longest River:

  Colorado River
• Largest Lake:

  Blue Mesa Reservoir
• Lowest Point:

  Arikaree River (3,315 ft)

Records & Rankings

• Highest mean elevation of any U.S. state
• Home to over 50 peaks exceeding 14,400 feet
• Significant hub for aerospace and technology

Notable Firsts

• First rodeo in the U.S. (Deer Trail, 1869)
• Significant contributions to early aviation
• Early development of the ski industry

Unique Features

• Diverse mountain and plains landscapes
• Rich mining and Old West history
• Significant outdoor recreational opportunities

Government & Politics

Colorado has a constitutionally mandated structure encompassing Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Governor

• Jared Polis (as of 2023)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate and House of Representatives

Political Trends

• Historically Republican, shifting Democratic trends

Key Political Issues

• Water Rights
• Environmental Conservation
• Economic Diversification
• Education

Time Zones

Colorado observes Mountain Time Zone (MT), with daylight saving time observed.

Standard Time

• Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC -7)

Daylight Saving

• Mountain Daylight Time (MDT, UTC -6)

Education

Colorado has a public education system that includes K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities.

Major Public Systems

• University of Colorado System
• Colorado State University System
• Metropolitan State University of Denver

Notable Private Institutions

• University of Denver
• Colorado College
• Regis University

K-12 System

• Public school system with local control

Key Educational Initiatives

• STEM education focus
• Early childhood education programs
• Workforce development initiatives

Culture & Festivals

Colorado's cultural scene is rich with music, arts, and festivals celebrating its heritage and outdoor lifestyle.

Major Festivals

• Denver Film Festival
• Colorado Shakespeare Festival
• Telluride Bluegrass Festival
• Great American Beer Festival

Music & Arts

• Red Rocks Amphitheatre (music venue)
• Denver Art Museum
• Colorado Symphony Orchestra
• Santa Fe Opera (nearby influence)

Cultural Influences

• Native American heritage
• Hispanic traditions
• Outdoor recreation culture
• Mining and Old West history

Food & Drink

• Craft beer industry
• Local farm-to-table cuisine
• Green chile dishes
• Rocky Mountain oysters (unique delicacy)