Colorado

Capital: Denver State abbreviation/Postal code: Colo./CO Governor: Bill Ritter, D (to Jan. 2011) Lieut. Governor: Barbara O'Brien, D (to Jan. 2011) Senators: Wayne A. Allard, R (to Jan. 2009); Ken Salazar, D (to Jan. 2011) U.S. Representatives: 7 Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of State: Mike Coffman, R (to Jan. 2011) Treasurer: Cary Kennedy, D (to Jan. 2011) Atty. General: John W. Suthers, R (to Jan. 2011) Organized as territory: Feb. 28, 1861 Entered Union (rank): Aug. 1, 1876 (38) Present constitution adopted: 1876 Motto: Nil sine Numine (Nothing without Providence) State symbols: flower Rocky Mountain columbine (1899) tree Colorado blue spruce (1939) bird lark bunting (1931) animal Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (1961) gemstone aquamarine (1971) colors blue and white (1911) song “Where the Columbines Grow” (1915) fossil stegosaurus (1991) Nickname: Centennial State Origin of name: From the Spanish, “ruddy” or “red” 10 largest cities (2005 est.): Denver, 557,917; Colorado Springs, 369,815; Aurora, 297,235; Lakewood, 140,671; Fort Collins, 128,026; Thornton, 105,182; Westminster, 105,084; Arvada, 103,966; Pueblo, 103,495; Centennial, 98,243 Land area: 103,717 sq mi. (268,627 sq km) Geographic center: In Park Co., 30 mi. NW of Pikes Peak Number of counties: 64 Largest county by population and area: El Paso 565,582 (2005); Las Animas, 4,773 sq mi. State forests: 1 (71,000 ac.) State parks: 44 (160,000 ac.) Residents: Coloradan, Coloradoan 2005 resident population est.: 4,665,177 2000 resident census population (rank): 4,301,261 (24). Male: 2,165,983 (50.4%); Female: 2,135,278 (49.6%). White: 3,560,005 (82.8%); Black: 165,063 (3.8%); American Indian: 44,241 (1.0%); Asian: 95,213 (2.2%); Other race: 309,931 (7.2%); Two or more races: 122,187 (2.8%); Hispanic/Latino: 735,601 (17.1%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 74.4; 65 and over: 9.7; median age: 34.3. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office

Map of Colorado

First visited by Spanish explorers in the 1500s, the territory was claimed for Spain by Juan de Ulibarri in 1706. The U.S. obtained eastern Colorado as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the central portion in 1845 with the admission of Texas as a state, and the western part in 1848 as a result of the Mexican War.

Colorado has the highest mean elevation of any state, with more than 1,000 Rocky Mountain peaks over 10,000 ft high and 54 towering above 14,000 ft. Pikes Peak, the most famous of these mountains, was discovered by U.S. Army lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike in 1806.

Once primarily a mining and agricultural state, Colorado's economy is now driven by the service industries, including medical providers and other business and professional services. Colorado's economy also has a strong manufacturing base. The primary manufactures are food products, printing and publishing, machinery, and electrical instruments. The state is also a communications and transportation hub for the Rocky Mountain region.

The farm industry, which is primarily concentrated in livestock, is also an important element of the state's economy. The primary crops in Colorado are corn, hay, and wheat.

Breathtaking scenery and world-class skiing make Colorado a prime tourist destination. The main tourist attractions in the state include Rocky Mountain National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Mesa Verde National Park, the Great Sand Dunes and Dinosaur National Monuments, Colorado National Monument, and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument.

See more on Colorado:
Encyclopedia: Colorado
Encyclopedia: Geography
Encyclopedia: Economy
Encyclopedia: Government
Encyclopedia: History
Monthly Temperature Extremes

All U.S. States: Geography & Climate
Printable Outline Maps
Record Highest Temperatures
Record Lowest Temperatures
Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations
Land and Water Area

Selected famous natives and residents:

• Tim Allen actor and comedian;

• William E. Barrett writer;

• William Bent fur trader and pioneer;

• Charles F. Brannan lawyer and public official;

• M. Scott Carpenter astronaut;

• Lon Chaney actor;

• Mary Coyle Chase playwright;

• Jack Dempsey boxer;

• Ralph Edwards entertainer;

• John Evans physician, educator;

• Douglas Fairbanks actor;

• John Thomas Fante writer;

• Eugene Fodor violinist;

• Gene Fowler writer;

• Erick Hawkins choreographer;

• Helen Hunt Jackson novelist and Indian rights activist;

• Homer Lea soldier, writer;

• Ted Mack TV host;

• Jaye P. Morgan singer;

• Peg Murray actress;

• Ouray Ute Indian chief;

• Anne Parrish writer;

• Barbara Rush actress;

• Horace A. Tabor silver king and lieut. governor;

• Lowell Thomas commentator and author;

• Dalton Trumbo screenwriter, novelist;

• Amy Van Dyken athlete;

• Byron R. White jurist;

• Paul Whiteman conductor;

• Don Wilson announcer.

Fact Monster/Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

• • Cite
  • Print