Last updated on August 17th, 2024
Colorado is the 21st most populous and the 8th most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. It lies in the western region of the United States. The state attained statehood on August 1, 1876, becoming the 38th state to join the union. Its seven bordering states are New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, Kansas, and Nebraska. See the full list of the 50 states and their borders here. Colorado (nicknamed: the Centennial State) has 64 counties. The state’s capital is Denver. The abbreviation for Colorado is CO. With these facts about Colorado, let us learn more about its history, geography, people, economy and more.
Interesting facts about Colorado
1. The Spanish were the first European visitors who arrived in Colorado in the 1500s.
2. The state was named after the Colorado River. In Spanish, Colorado means “colored red.”
3. Explorer Zebulon Pike led an expedition in 1806 to explore the southwestern portion of the Louisiana Purchase, which included parts of Colorado. Pikes Peak, one of Colorado’s famous landmarks, is named after him.
4. After the formation of the territory of Colorado in 1861, William Gilpin was named the first governor of the state.
Colorado on the map
5. Colorado is one of the three states in the U.S. which has its boundaries solely defined by lines of latitudes and longitudes. The other two states are Utah and Wyoming.
6. It is interesting to learn that Colorado entered statehood in 1876, exactly after 100 years of the nation’s independence (1776). That is why it is nicknamed the “Centennial State”.
7. The capital city of Colorado is Denver, which also happens to be its most populous city. Denver is also known as the “Mile High City” because it sits at 5,280 feet above sea level—exactly one mile.
8. Almost 70% of the state’s population resides in the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains.
9. The only point in the United States where the boundaries of four states (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico) meet is termed as the Four Corners. Thus, one can practically stand in four states at the same time.
10. In the Western United States, a mountain peak with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet is known as “fourteeners” or “14ers” locally. There are 58 such fourteeners in Colorado – the most of any state (Alaska has 22; California has 12; Washington has 1). It is the only U.S. state that lies entirely above 1000 meters’ elevation. Thus, it is also the nation’s highest state.
11. The state also has the highest low point of any state in the U.S. The point (3,317 feet) is where the Arikaree River flows out of Yuma County, Colorado into the Cheyenne County, Kansas.
12. The Summit of Mount Elbert (14,440 feet) in Lake County is the highest point in Colorado. It is also the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains.
13. The largest flat-topped mountain in the world– the Grand Mesa – is located in western Colorado. It has an area of 500 miles.
14. Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado’s largest lake located entirely within the state. The reservoir has a surface area of 9180 acres.
15. Glenwood Springs, nestled in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, boasts the world’s largest hot springs pool, providing a soothing retreat for visitors. Spanning over two city blocks, this colossal pool can comfortably accommodate over a thousand bathers at any given time.
16. The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado showcase the tallest sand dunes in North America, which can rise up to 750 feet (229 meters) high. This area was designated on September 13, 2004, as a national park and preserve, highlighting its significance as a unique natural treasure in the United States. The park encompasses an area of approximately 149,138 acres (60,394 hectares).
17. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, an awe-inspiring geological wonder, is located in western Colorado, United States. This magnificent canyon was first designated as a national monument in 1933 to protect its natural beauty and unique rock formations. Later, in 1999, it was redesignated as Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
18. Colorado’s Mount Evans Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in North America.
19. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado is one of the highest vehicular tunnel in the world.
20. The Royal Gorge Bridge, above the Arkansas River, was for more than 70 years, the world’s highest suspension bridge. The Bridge has a deck height of 955 ft, measured from the deck to the surface of the river below. It also leads to a 360-acre park that features rides and shows that kids and adults can enjoy.
21. Colorado Springs is the largest city in Colorado by area. The city is 1 mile above sea level and is situated at the base of one of the most famous American mountains, Pikes Peak.
22. Aurora is considered one of the most bike-friendly cities in Colorado. With over 60 miles of bicycling paths and routes, there are tons of rental shops for visitors and locals alike.
23. This bicycling trail in Aurora even connects all significant points in the city, including the Aurora Reservoir and Southlands Mall. This is one of the reasons why Aurora is also one of the thinnest towns in the nation with so many activities for residents and guests.
24. By total land area (33,531 acres), the Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the United States. The airport also has the longest commercial runway in the United States.
25. The Denver International Airport is the sixth busiest airport in the United States and the 18th busiest airport in the world. More than 5 million passengers passed through the airport in April 2018.
26. The town of Bonanza, located in Saguache County, has a population of only one person, making it one of the smallest towns in the United States.
27. The Hugus Block, often called Colorado’s “Littlest Skyscraper,” is a narrow, four-story building in Trinidad. A landowner’s clever maneuver prompted its construction in the early 1900s to maximize space.
28. In 1896, Leadville, a famous mining town, constructed a massive Ice Palace for the Winter Crystal Carnival. It stood 90 feet tall and was illuminated by electric lights, showcasing the town’s prosperity.
29. More than a third of the land of Colorado is owned by the government of the United States. The government controls mining, grazing, and logging in this area.
30. Roughly one-third of the state that lies to the west of the Continental Divide is referred to as the Western Slope of Colorado. The Western Slope contains 33% of the state’s land but is home to only 10% of its population.
31. Water that falls west of the Continental Divide flows to the Pacific Ocean while that which falls to the east heads to the Atlantic Ocean.
32. The Colorado River with its origin in the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming provides water and hydroelectric power to at least 35 million people in the United States and Mexico.
33. Did you know that the Denver Mint produced 4 billion coins in fiscal year 2000, more coins than ever produced by a single U.S. Mint facility? The mint celebrated its 100th anniversary of coin production in 2006.
34. Silver was discovered in Leadville in 1879. The discovery marked the beginning of Silver Boom in the state.
35. The gold rush happened in Colorado between 1858 and 1859. The gold was first discovered in Colorado in 1858 in present day Englewood.
36. Colorado is also one of the world’s largest molybdenum producers (a chemical element with symbol Mo and atomic number 42). It also helped the United States became the second largest producer of the element after China. Molybdenum has the sixth-highest melting point of any element. It is used in several alloys to give strength.
37. Arvada, Colorado, has a storied past that is filled with historical moments. The area saw the first gold strike in the state back on June 22, 1850.
38. Arvada was also known as “The Celery Capital” of the world back in the late 1800s. Today, Arvada is synonymous with first-class restaurants, shopping boutiques, stores, and residential establishments just 15 minutes from Denver.
39. Rocky Flats, near Denver, was a major nuclear weapons production facility during the Cold War. The site experienced environmental contamination, and efforts to clean it up continued for decades after its closure in 1992.
40. Did you know that the name “cheeseburger” was trademarked by Louis Ballast of Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver in 1935? This made Colorado the official home of the cheeseburger.
41. Centennial, Colorado, shares its name with the nickname for the entire state, “The Centennial State.” Centennial is home to the popular 17-mile House Farm Park with a preserved 19th-century farmhouse. Visitors will enjoy the scenic backdrops with red barns, milk shed, silo, and two fully-functional windmills.
42. While Lakewood is known for its tree-lined streets and residences, the city features a hidden gem for paleontology and Jurassic lovers. The Dinosaur Hotel (once a franchise hotel) is decked out in dinosaur décor and visuals. Located on South Vance Street, this hotel is blanketed with dinosaur statues, bones, and other historical ornaments and designs.
43. The Dinosaur Hotel celebrates Lakewood’s rich history of dinosaur discovery in the area. In fact, Lakewood is where the first Stegosaurus and Apatosaurus bones were found by a few paleontologists years ago.
44. Denver Union Station, a historic train station dating back to 1881, underwent extensive renovations in the 2010s. It is now a vibrant transportation hub featuring restaurants, shops, and a hotel.
45. If you are a dinosaur lover then, located near Morrison, Dinosaur Ridge is a famous natural landmark where you can see over 300 dinosaur tracks and various fossils, providing valuable insights into prehistoric life.
46. The Stanley Hotel, an iconic landmark in Estes Park, opened its doors to guests on July 4, 1909. This historic hotel gained worldwide fame as the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel “The Shining.” Renowned for its grandeur and scenic surroundings, the hotel is also famous for its alleged paranormal activity.
47. Westminster features- The Big Red Castle, which is a historic landmark and a religious schooling institution. This magnificent structure looks like it was uprooted from the castles of London and Windsor. However, if you are still in Westminster, and this castle — also known as The Pillar Fire — is truly a must-see for all tourists and visitors. It showcases impressive architecture and intertwined elements of medieval and modern designs.
48. Bishop Castle, located in the San Isabel National Forest, is a massive and intricately designed stone castle built entirely by one man, Jim Bishop. It’s an ongoing project that has been under construction since 1969.
49. Located near La Junta, Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site is a reconstructed 1840s adobe trading post, offering visitors a glimpse into the fur trade era of the American West.
50. Built-in 1879 by mining magnate Horace Tabor in Leadville, the Tabor Opera House hosted famous performers such as Oscar Wilde and Harry Houdini during the height of Colorado’s mining boom.
51. Manitou Springs in Colorado is often called the “Penny Arcade of the West.” The town boasts a high concentration of penny-smashing machines, allowing visitors to create unique souvenirs.
52. The United States Olympic Training Center, established on July 30, 1978, in Colorado Springs, provides elite athletes with world-class facilities for Olympic preparation. Spanning 35 acres, the center offers specialized training gyms, sports science labs, and accommodation. Its high-altitude location challenges athletes’ endurance.
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