Colorado 5399 226071506 2008-07-16T18:25:17Z Rick Block 46160 /* Further reading */ revert addition of best band reference, already mentioned at [[DeVotchKa]] {{US state | Name = Colorado | Fullname = State of Colorado | Flag = Flag of Colorado.svg | Flaglink = [[Flag of Colorado]] | Seal = Colorado seal.jpg | Map = Map_of_USA_CO.svg | Nickname = The Centennial State | Motto = [[Nil sine numine]]<br>''"Nothing without Providence"'' | Capital = [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]] | OfficialLang = [[English language|English]] | Demonym = Coloradan | LargestCity = [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]] | LargestMetro = [[Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area|Denver-Aurora Metro Area]] | Governor = [[Bill Ritter]] (D)| Lieutenant Governor = [[Barbara O'Brien (politician)|Barbara O'Brien]] (D)| Senators = [[United States Senate Class 2|2]] - [[Wayne Allard]] (R)<br/>[[United States Senate Class 3|3]] - [[Ken Salazar]] (D) | PostalAbbreviation = CO | TradAbbreviation = Colo. | AreaRank = 8<sup>th</sup> | TotalArea = 269,837 | TotalAreaUS = 104,185 | LandArea = 103,730 | LandAreaUS = 103,815 | WaterArea = 962 | WaterAreaUS = 371 | PCWater = 0.36% | PopRank = 22<sup>nd</sup> | 2000Pop = 4,301,261 | DensityRank = 37<sup>th</sup> | 2000Density = 16.01 | 2000DensityUS = 41.5 | MedianHouseholdIncome = $51,022 | IncomeRank = 10<sup>th</sup> | AdmittanceOrder = 38<sup>th</sup> | AdmittanceDate = [[1876-08-01]] | TimeZone = [[Mountain Standard Time|MST]]=UTC-07, [[Mountain Daylight Time|MDT]]=UTC-06 | Latitude = 37°N to 41°N | Longitude = 102°03'W to 109°03'W | Width = 451 | WidthUS = 280 | Length = 612 | LengthUS = 380 | HighestPoint = [[Mount Elbert]]<ref name=USGS>{{cite web| date = [[2005-04-29]] | url = http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest| title = Elevations and Distances in the United States| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| accessdate = 2007-10-19 }}</ref><ref name=Mount_Elbert>{{cite web|url = http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ds_mark.prl?PidBox=KL0637|title = National Geodetic Survey data sheet KL0637 for Mount Elbert||publisher=[[National Geodetic Survey]]|accessdate=2007-10-19}}</ref>| HighestElev = 4401 | HighestElevUS = 14,440 | MeanElev = 2073 | MeanElevUS = 6,800 | LowestPoint = [[Arikaree River]]<ref name=USGS/>| LowestElev = 1010 | LowestElevUS = 3,315 | ISOCode = US-CO | Website = www.colorado.gov }} {{Otheruses1|the U.S. State of Colorado}} The '''State of Colorado''' ({{pron-en|ˌkɒləˈrædoʊ}} or, chiefly by outsiders, {{IPA|/ˌkɒləˈrɑːdoʊ/}}<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Colorado Colorado - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>) is a [[U.S. state|state]] located in the [[Mountain states|Rocky Mountain region]] of the [[United States of America]]. Colorado may also be considered to be a part of the [[Western United States|Western]] and [[Southwestern United States|Southwestern]] [[regions of the United States]]. The [[United States Census Bureau]] estimates that the state population was 4,861,515 in 2007, a 13.03% increase since the [[U.S. Census 2000]].<ref name=PopEstStates>{{cite web | url = http://www.census.gov/popest/states/tables/NST-EST2007-01.csv | title = Table 1: Annual Estimates of the Population for the United States and States, and for Puerto Rico: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 | format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2007 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | date = [[2007-12-27]] | accessdate = 2007-12-27 }}</ref> [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]] is the [[capital]] as well as the [[Colorado municipalities by population|most populous city]] of Colorado. Citizens of Colorado are known as [[List of U.S. state residents names|Coloradans]]. ==Geography== {{main|Geography of Colorado}} The State of Colorado is defined as the geoellipsoidal rectangle that stretches from [[37th parallel north|37°N]] to [[41st parallel north|41°N]] latitude and from [[25th meridian west from Washington|102°03'W]] to [[32nd meridian west from Washington|109°03'W]] longitude ([[25th meridian west from Washington|25°W]] to [[32nd meridian west from Washington|32°W]] from the [[Washington Meridian]]).<ref name=Colorado_Enabling_Act/> Colorado, [[Wyoming]], and [[Utah]] are the only three [[U.S. state]]s that have only lines of [[latitude]] and [[longitude]] for boundaries and that have no natural borders. {{ussm|colorado.png|co}} The summit of [[Mount Elbert]] at {{convert|14440|ft|m|0|sp=us}} elevation in [[Lake County, Colorado|Lake County]] is the state's highest point and the highest point in the entire [[Rocky Mountains]].<ref name=USGS/><ref name=Mount_Elbert/> Colorado has more than 500 mountain peaks that exceed {{convert|4000|m|ft|0|sp=us}} elevation. Colorado is the only U.S. state that lies entirely above {{convert|1000|m|ft|0|sp=us}} elevation. The point where the [[Arikaree River]] flows out of [[Yuma County, Colorado]], and into [[Cheyenne County, Kansas]], is the lowest point in the State of Colorado at {{convert|3315|ft|m|0|sp=us}} elevation. This crossing point holds the distinction of being the highest low point of any [[U.S. state]].<ref>{{cite web |author=U.S. Geological Survey |title=Elevations and Distances |url=http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest |accessdate=2006-09-08}}</ref><ref name=USGS/> Nearly half of the state is flat in stark contrast to Colorado's rugged [[Rocky Mountains]]. East of the [[Rocky Mountains|Southern Rocky Mountains]] are the [[Colorado Eastern Plains]] of the [[High Plains (United States)|High Plains]], the section of the [[Great Plains]] within Colorado at elevations ranging from 3315 to 6562 feet (1010 to 2000 m). The states of [[Kansas]] and [[Nebraska]] border Colorado to the east. The plains are sparsely settled with most population along the [[South Platte River|South Platte]] and the [[Arkansas River|Arkansas]] rivers. Precipitation is meager, averaging from 12 to 18 inches (300 to 450 mm) annually. There is some irrigated farming, but much of the land is used for [[dryland farming]] or [[ranching]]. [[Winter wheat]] is a typical crop and most small towns in the region boast both a [[water tower]] and a [[grain elevator]]. The bulk of Colorado's population lives along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains in the [[Front Range Urban Corridor]]. This region is partially protected from prevailing storms by the high mountains to the west. [[Image:LovelandPass CMM.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Continental Divide]] dips down to {{convert|11990|ft|m|0|sp=us}} at [[Loveland Pass]].]] To the west lies the eastern slope of the [[Rocky Mountains]] with notable peaks such as [[Longs Peak]], [[Mount Evans]], [[Pikes Peak]], and the [[Spanish Peaks]] near [[Walsenburg, Colorado|Walsenburg]] in the south. This area drains to the east, is forested, and partially urbanized. During the drought of 2002 devastating [[forest fire]]s swept this area. The [[Continental Divide]] stretches across the crest of the Rocky Mountains. To the west of the Continental Divide is the [[Colorado Western Slope|Western Slope]]. Water west of the Continental Divide drains west into the [[Sea of Cortez]] via the [[Colorado River (U.S.)|Colorado River]]. Within the interior of the Rocky Mountains are several large parks or high broad basins. In the north, on the east side of the Continental Divide is [[North Park]]. North Park is drained by the [[North Platte River]], which flows north into [[Wyoming]]. Just south but on the west side of the Continental Divide is [[Middle Park (Colorado basin)|Middle Park]], drained by the Colorado River. [[South Park (Colorado basin)|South Park]] is the [[headwater]]s of the South Platte River. To the south lies the [[San Luis Valley]], the headwaters of the [[Rio Grande]], which drains into [[New Mexico]]. Across the [[Sangre de Cristo Range]] to the east of the San Luis Valley lies the [[Wet Mountain Valley]]. These basins, particularly the San Luis Valley, lie along the [[Rio Grande Rift]], a major [[geological formation]], and its branches. The Rocky Mountains within Colorado contain 51 peaks that are {{convert|14000|ft|m|0|sp=us}} or higher elevation, known as [[Colorado fourteeners|fourteeners]]. The mountains are timbered with [[conifer]]s and [[aspen]] to the [[tree line]], at an elevation of about {{convert|12140|ft|m|0|sp=us}} in southern Colorado to about {{convert|10500|ft|m|0|sp=us}} in northern Colorado; above this only alpine vegetation grows. The Colorado Rockies are snow-covered only in the winter; most snow melts by mid-August with the exception of a few small glaciers. The [[Colorado Mineral Belt]], stretching from the [[San Juan Mountains]] in the southwest to [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]] and [[Central City, Colorado|Central City]] on the front range, contains most of the historic gold- and silver-mining districts of Colorado. The Western Slope is generally drained by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Notable to the south are the [[San Juan Mountains]], an extremely rugged mountain range, and to the west of the San Juans, the [[Colorado Plateau]], a high desert bordering Southern [[Utah]]. [[Grand Junction, Colorado|Grand Junction]] is the largest city on the [[Colorado Western Slope|Western Slope]]. Grand Junction is served by Interstate Highway [[Interstate 70 in Colorado|I-70]]. To the southeast of Grand Junction is [[Grand Mesa]], the world's largest flat-topped mountain. Further east are the [[ski resort]]s of [[Aspen, Colorado|Aspen]], [[Vail, Colorado|Vail]], [[Crested Butte, Colorado|Crested Butte]], and [[Steamboat Springs, Colorado|Steamboat Springs]]. The northwestern corner of Colorado bordering Northern Utah and Western Wyoming is mostly sparsely populated rangeland. From west to east, the state consists of desert-like basins, turning into plateaus, then alpine mountains, and then the grasslands of the Great Plains. The famous [[Pikes Peak]] is just west of [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]]. Its lone peak is visible from near the [[Kansas]] border on clear days.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} Colorado is also one of only four states in the [[United States]] to share a common border ([[Four Corners (United States)|Four Corners]]), along with [[Arizona]], [[New Mexico]] and [[Utah]]. At this intersection, it is possible to stand in four states at once. {{see also|Colorado cities and towns|Colorado counties|Colorado municipalities|Colorado rivers|Four Corners Monument}} ===Climate=== [[Image:Bearlakeinspring2.jpg|thumb|170px|right|Spring melt at [[Bear Lake (Colorado)|Bear Lake]] in [[Rocky Mountain National Park]].]] The climate of Colorado is quite complex compared to most of the United States. The typical south-north/cooler-warmer variation in other states is not generally applicable in Colorado. Mountains and surrounding valleys greatly affect local climate. As a general rule, with an increase in elevation come a decrease in temperature and an increase in precipitation. A main climatic division in Colorado occurs between the Rocky Mountains on the west and the plains on the east; the foothills form a transitional zone between the two. ====Eastern Plains==== [[Image:PivotWithDrops.JPG|thumb|upright|170px|Center pivot irrigation of wheat growing in [[Yuma County, Colorado|Yuma County]].]] The climate of the Eastern Plains is a [[semi-arid]] [[continental climate]] ([[Koppen climate classification]] ''BSk'') of low humidity and moderately low precipitation, usually from 10 to 15&nbsp;inches (250 to 380 [[millimeter|mm]]) annually. The area is known for its abundant sunshine and cool clear nights, which give this area the highest average diurnal temperature range in the United States. In summer, this area can have many days above 95&nbsp;°F (35 °C) and sometimes 100 °F (38 °C) or more. Temperatures in excess of 115&nbsp;°F (46 °C) in the northeast corner of the state are not uncommon, although 105 °F (41 °C) is the maximum in the front range cities above 5000&nbsp;ft (1500 [[Metre|m]]). In those areas, {{convert|-25|°F|°C|abbr=on}} is the all-time record low. About 75% of the precipitation falls within the growing season, from April to September, but this area is very prone to droughts. Most of the precipitation comes in the form of thunderstorms which are often severe, and the form of major snowstorms that happen most often in the early Spring and in late Autumn, and sometimes Winter, from low pressures that bring the right conditions. Otherwise, Winters tend to be drier and cold, even though it's known for having a number of mild days in many Winters. In much of this region, March and April are the snowiest months. April and May are normally the rainiest months, while April is the wettest month that has the most combination of rain and snow. The Front Range cities closer to the mountains tend to be warmer in the winter due to [[chinook winds]] which warm the area, sometimes bringing temperatures up to 60&nbsp;°F (16&nbsp;°C) or higher in the winter.<ref name= "Climate of Colorado"> [http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/COLORADO.htm] Western Regional Climate Center. Last accessed [[2006-10-24]]. </ref> The average July temperature is 57 degrees in the morning and 87 degrees in the afternoon. The average January temperature is 15 degrees in the morning and 43 degrees in the afternoon, although the daily high may be 60 one day and 0 the next. ====West of the plains and foothills==== [[Image:GrandJunctionTrip92007013.jpg|left|thumb|230px|View of the [[Western Slope]] from [[Grand Junction]].]] West of the plains and foothills, the weather of Colorado is much less uniform. Even places a few miles (kilometers) apart can experience entirely different weather, depending on the topography of the area. Most valleys also have a semi-arid climate, which becomes an [[alpine climate]] at higher elevations. Generally, the wettest season is in the winter in Western Colorado while June is the driest month, which is the opposite of precipitation patterns in the east. The mountains have cool summers with many days of high temperatures around 60&nbsp;°F (16 °C) and 70&nbsp;°F (21 °C), although frequent thunderstorms can cause a sudden drop in temperatures. Summer nights are cool, and cold at the highest altitudes which can sometimes bring snow even in the middle of the summer. The winters bring abundant, powdery snowfall to the mountains which the skiers love, although even in the winter, there can be many days with abundant sunshine in between major storms. The Western Slope has high summer temperatures similar to those found on the plains while the winters tend to be slightly cooler due to the lack of any warming winds which are common in the plains and Front Range. Other areas in the west have their own unique climate. The [[San Luis Valley]] is generally dry with little rain or snow, although the snow that falls tends to stay on the ground all winter. ====Extreme weather==== Extreme weather is a common occurrence in Colorado. Thunderstorms are common east of the Continental divide in the spring and summer, and Colorado is one of the leading states in deaths due to [[lightning]]. Hail is a common sight in the mountains east of the divide and in the northwest part of the state. While not as common as some of the states to the east, much of the Eastern Plains are prone to tornadoes, and there have been some damaging tornadoes there. An example is the 1990 [[Limon, Colorado|Limon]] [[Fujita scale|F3]] tornado which devastated the city. Floods are also a factor in the plains, not just from the thunderstorms, but also due to heavy snow in the mountains followed by a warm, dry period which swells rivers with melted snow. ====Records==== The highest temperature ever recorded in Colorado was 118 °F (48 °C) on [[July 11]], [[1888]], at [[Bennett, Colorado|Bennett]], while the lowest was -61 °F (-52 °C) on [[February 1]], [[1985]], at [[Maybell, Colorado|Maybell]].<ref name=StateMaxTemps>{{cite web | url = http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pub/data/special/maxtemps.pdf | title = Record Highest Temperatures by State | format = [[PDF]] | publisher = [[National Climatic Data Center]] | date = [[2004-01-01]] | accessdate = 2007-01-11 }}</ref><ref name=StateMinTemps>{{cite web | url = http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pub/data/special/mintemps.pdf | title = Record Lowest Temperatures by State | format = [[PDF]] | publisher = [[National Climatic Data Center]] | date = [[2004-01-01]] | accessdate = 2007-01-11 }}</ref> {| class="wikitable" "text-align:center;font-size:90%;"| | colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:120%;background:#E8EAFA;"|Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Colorado Cities |- ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color: #000000" height="17" | City ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Jan ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Feb ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Mar ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Apr ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | May ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Jun ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Jul ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Aug ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Sep ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Oct ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Nov ! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Dec |- ! style="background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Alamosa | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 33/-4 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 40/5 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 50/16 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 59/23 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 68/32 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 78/40 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 82/46 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 79/45 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 72/36 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 62/24 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 46/11 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 35/-1 |- ! style="background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Colorado Springs | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 42/13 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 45/18 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 52/24 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 59/31 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 68/41 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 79/50 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 86/55 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 82/54 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 74/45 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 63/34 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 50/23 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 42/16 |- ! style="background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Denver | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 43/15 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 47/19 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 54/25 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 61/34 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 70/44 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 82/53 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 88/59 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 86/57 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 77/47 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 66/36 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 52/24 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 44/16 |- ! style="background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Grand Junction | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 37/16 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 45/23 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 56/31 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 64/38 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 74/46 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 87/55 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 96/61 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 92/60 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 83/50 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 67/39 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 50/26 | style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 39/18 |- ! style="background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Pueblo | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 45/14 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 50/19 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 57/26 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 65/34 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 75/45 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 86/54 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 91/59 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 89/58 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 81/49 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 69/35 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 54/22 | style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 45/15 |- | colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;background:#E8EAFA;"|''<ref>http://www.ustravelweather.com/weather-colorado/</ref>'' |} ==History== {{main|History of Colorado}} [[Image:Mesa-Verde---Cliff-Palace-in 1891 - edit1.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The ruins of the [[Cliff Palace]] at [[Mesa Verde]] as photographed by [[Gustaf Nordenskiöld]] in 1891.]] The region that is today the State of Colorado has been inhabited by [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] for more than 13 millennia. The [[Lindenmeier Site]] in [[Larimer County, Colorado|Larimer County]] contains [[Artifact (archaeology)|artifacts]] dating from approximately 11200 BCE to 3000 BCE. The [[Ancient Pueblo Peoples]] lived in the [[valley]]s and [[mesa]]s of the [[Colorado Plateau]]. The [[Ute Nation]] inhabited the mountain valleys of the [[Southern Rocky Mountains]] and the [[Western Rocky Mountains]]. The [[Arapaho Nation]] and the [[Cheyenne Nation]] moved west to hunt across the [[High Plains (United States)|High Plains]]. The [[United States]] acquired a territorial claim to the eastern flank of the [[Rocky Mountains]] with the [[Louisiana Purchase]] from [[France]] in 1803. The U.S. claim conflicted with [[Spain]]'s claim that a huge region surrounding its [[colony]] of [[Santa Fé de Nuevo Méjico]] was its [[sovereignty|sovereign]] trading zone. [[Zebulon Pike]] led a [[U.S. Army]] [[reconnaissance]] [[expedition]] into the disputed region in 1806. Pike and his men were arrested by Spanish [[cavalry]] in the [[San Luis Valley]] the following February, taken to [[Chihuahua, Chihuahua|Chihuahua]], and expelled from [[México]] the following July. [[Image:Beol court25.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Bent's Old Fort]] along the [[Arkansas River]] operated from 1833 to 1849.]] The United States relinquished its claim to all land south and west of the [[Arkansas River]] as part of the U.S. purchase of [[Florida]] from [[Spain]] with the [[Adams-Onís Treaty]] of 1819. [[México]] finally won its [[independence]] from [[Spain]] in 1821, but it surrendered its northern territories to the United States after the [[Mexican-American War]] with the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] in 1848. The United States divided the area of the future Colorado among the [[Territory of New Mexico]] and the [[Territory of Utah]] organized in 1850, and the [[Territory of Kansas]] and the [[Territory of Nebraska]] organized in 1854. Most [[United States|American]] [[settler]]s traveling west to [[Oregon Country|Oregon]], [[State of Deseret|Deseret]], or [[California]] avoided the rugged [[Rocky Mountains]] and instead followed the [[North Platte River]] and [[Sweetwater River]] through what is now [[Wyoming]]. On [[1851-04-09]], [[Mexican American|Hispanic settlers]] from [[Taos, New Mexico]], settled the village of [[San Luis, Colorado|San Luis]], then in the [[New Mexico Territory]], but now Colorado's first permanent [[European American|European]] [[Settlement (migration)|settlement]]. [[Gold]] was discovered along the [[South Platte River]] in western [[Kansas Territory]] in July 1858, precipitating the [[Pike's Peak Gold Rush]].<ref name=PikesPeakGold>{{cite web | url = http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Falls/2000/index.html | title = The Pike's Peak Gold Rush | format = [[HTML]] | author = Gehling, Richard | publisher = Richard Gehling | date = 2006 | accessdate = 2007-06-12}}</ref> The [[placer deposit|placer gold deposits]] along the rivers and streams of the region rapidly played out, but miners soon discovered far more valuable seams of ''hard rock'' [[gold]], [[silver]], and other minerals in the nearby mountains. [[Image:Denver 1859.jpg|thumb|upright|left|A [[lithograph]] of the [[Denver, Colorado|Denver City]] mining camp in 1859.]] The [[Jefferson Territory|Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson]] was organized on [[1859-10-24]], but the new territory failed to secure federal sanction. The election of [[Abraham Lincoln]] for [[U.S. President]] on [[1860-11-06]], led to the [[secession]] of six [[slave states]] and the threat of [[American Civil War|civil war]]. Seeking to augment the political power of the [[free state (United States)|free states]], the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] led [[U.S. Congress]] hurriedly admitted the eastern portion of the [[Territory of Kansas]] to the [[United States|Union]] as the [[free state|free]] [[State of Kansas]] on [[1861-01-29]], leaving the western portion of the territory, and its gold fields, unorganized. [[Image:Georgetown loop 1899.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Georgetown Loop]] of the [[Colorado Central Railroad]] as photographed by [[William Henry Jackson|William H. Jackson]] in 1899.]] Thirty days later on [[1861-02-28]], outgoing [[U.S. President]] [[James Buchanan]] signed an act of Congress organizing the [[Free state (United States)|free]] [[Territory of Colorado]].<ref name=ColoradoTerritory>{{cite web | url = http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/territory.pdf | title = An Act to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Colorado | format = [[PDF]] | publisher = [[Thirty-sixth United States Congress]] | date = [[1861-02-28]] | accessdate = 2007-06-12}}</ref> The original boundaries of Colorado remain unchanged today. The name Colorado was chosen because it was commonly believed that the [[Colorado River]] originated in the territory.<ref name=Colorado_River>Early explorers identified the [[Gunnison River]] in Colorado as the [[headwaters]] of the [[Colorado River]]. The [[Grand River]] in Colorado was later identified as the headwaters of the river. Finally in 1916, [[E.C. LaRue]], Chief Hydrologist of the [[United States Geological Survey]], identified the [[Green River (Utah)|Green River]] in [[Wyoming]] as the actual headwaters of the Colorado River.</ref> Early [[Spain|Spanish]] explorers named the river the [[Rio Colorado]] for the reddish-brown silt the river carried from the mountains.<ref>{{cite web |author=State of Colorado - Division of Information Technologies |url=http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/symbemb.htm#Name |title=State Names and Nicknames |accessdate=2006-11-15}}</ref> In fact, the Colorado River did not flow through the State of Colorado until House Joint Resolution 460 of the [[66th United States Congress]] changed the name of the [[Colorado River|Grand River]] to the [[Colorado River]] on [[1921-07-25]].<ref name=Grand_River>{{cite web | url = http://www.summitdaily.com/article/20031223/OPINION/312230302 | title = Many years ago, the Colorado River was just Grand | format = [[HTML]] | author = Colorado River Water Conservation District | publisher = Summit Daily News | date = 2003 | accessdate = 2007-06-12}}</ref> The [[United States Congress]] passed an enabling act on [[1875-03-03]], specifying the requirements for the [[Territory of Colorado]] to become a state.<ref name=Colorado_Enabling_Act>{{cite web|url=http://www.i2i.org/Publications/ColoradoConstitution/cnenable.htm|title=An Act to Enable the People of Colorado to Form a Constitution and State Government, and for the Admission of the Said State into the Union on an Equal Footing with the Original States|format=[[PDF]]|author=[[Forty-third United States Congress]]|date=[[1875-03-03]]|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref> On [[1876-08-01]] (28 days after the [[Centennial of the United States]]), [[U.S. President]] [[Ulysses S. Grant]] signed a proclamation admitting the State of Colorado to the [[United States|Union]] as the [[U.S. state|38th state]] and earning it the moniker "[[Centennial State]]".<ref name=Colorado_Statehood_Proclamation>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=70540|title=Proclamation of the Admission of Colorado to the Union|format=[[php]]|author=[[President of the United States of America]]|date=[[1876-08-01]]|publisher=The American Presidency Project|accessdate=2008-04-14}}</ref> The discovery of a major [[silver]] [[lode]] near [[Leadville, Colorado|Leadville]] in 1878, triggered the [[Colorado Silver Boom]]. The [[Sherman Silver Purchase Act]] of 1890 envigorated silver mining, but the repeal of the act in 1893 led to a major collapse of the mining and agricultural economy of the state. Colorado women were granted the [[suffrage|right to vote]] beginning on [[1893-11-07]], making Colorado the first [[U.S. state]] to grant [[universal suffrage]] by [[popular vote]]. By the [[United States Census, 1930|1930 U.S. Census]], the population of Colorado exceeded one million residents. The state suffered through the [[Great Depression]] and the [[Dust Bowl]] of the 1930s, but a major wave of immigration following [[World War II]] boosted Colorado's fortune. [[Tourism]] became a mainstay of the state economy, and [[high technology]] became an important economic engine. Colorado's population exceeded 4.3 million at [[U.S. Census 2000]]. Three [[warship]]s of the [[United States Navy]] have been named [[USS Colorado]]. The first USS Colorado was named for the [[Colorado River]]. The later two ships were named in honor of the [[landlocked]] state. {{clear}} ==Demographics== {{USCensusPop |1860 = 34277 |1870 = 39864 |1880 = 194327 |1890 = 413249 |1900 = 539700 |1910 = 799024 |1920 = 939629 |1930 = 1035791 |1940 = 1123296 |1950 = 1325089 |1960 = 1753947 |1970 = 2207259 |1980 = 2889964 |1990 = 3294394 |2000 = 4301261 |estyear = 2007 |estimate = 4861515 }} The state's most populous city, and capital, is [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]]. The [[Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area]], home to 2,927,911 people, contains more than two-thirds of the state's population. Residents of Colorado are properly referred to as ''Coloradans'', although the term ''Coloradoans'' is still used.<ref>{{cite web |author=Merriam Webster |title=Definition of Colorado |url=http://m-w.com/dictionary/colorado |accessdate=2006-09-26}}</ref><ref name=Coloradan>{{cite web | date = [[2007-08-01]] | url = http://ccs.colostate.edu/index.asp?url=style_guide_az#state_names | title = Writer's Style Guide | format = [[HTML]] | publisher = [[Colorado State University]], Communications & Creative Services | accessdate = 2008-05-07}}</ref> As of 2005, Colorado has an estimated population of 4,665,177, which is an increase of 63,356, or 1.4%, from the prior year and an increase of 363,162, or 8.4%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 205,321 people (that is 353,091 births minus 147,770 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 159,957 people into the state. [[Immigration to the United States|Immigration]] from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 112,217 people, and [[Human migration|migration]] within the country produced a net increase of 47,740 people. The largest increases are expected in the [[Front Range Urban Corridor]], especially in the [[Denver metropolitan area]]. The state's fastest growing counties are [[Douglas County|Douglas]] between Denver and [[Colorado Springs]] also experienced a building boom, and [[Park County|Park]] 40 miles southwest of Denver, both had been suburbanized or grew by 5 times in population in the 1990s and early 2000s. Large numbers of new residents in the state originate from [[California]], which some locals felt their state was "Californicated" in the 1990s (esp. Denver resembled more of [[Los Angeles]]) when real estate home prices, lower cost of living and a healthier economy in growth rates drew in over 100,000 Californians at the time, and there are others moved in from East Coast states. The [[center of population]] of Colorado is located just north of the town of Critchell in [[Jefferson County, Colorado|Jefferson County]].<ref>http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt</ref> [[Image:Colorado population map.png|thumb|left|475px|Colorado Population Density Map]] {{clear}} Colorado has one of the highest proportions of [[Hispanic]] citizens of any U.S. state; only five states have a higher percentage. Denver and some other areas have significant [[Mexican American|Mexican]] populations, while southern Colorado has a large number of [[Hispanos]], the descendants of early New Mexican settlers of colonial [[Spanish people|Spanish]] origin. The [[2000 U.S. Census]] reports that 10.52% of people aged 5 and over in Colorado speak [[Spanish language|Spanish]] at home.<ref>http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=8&mode=state_tops&order=r</ref> Colorado, like [[New Mexico]], is very rich in archaic Spanish idioms.<ref>[http://www.elcastellano.org/palabra.php?id=946 Elcastellano.org talking about Colorado in "nada"]</ref> Colorado has a history of African-Americans communities which are located in northeast Denver in the Montbello, Green Valley Ranch, and Colfax Park areas. The state has sizable numbers of Asian-Americans of [[Chinese American|Chinese]], [[Filipino people|Filipino]], [[Koreans|Korean]], [[Southeast Asian]] and [[Japanese American|Japanese]] descent. The Denver metropolitian area is considered more liberal and diverse than much of the state when it comes to political issues and environmental concerns, as the Denver area rapidly grows in size, sprawl and population in the last 40 years. According to the 2000 Census, the largest ancestry groups in Colorado are [[Germans|German]] (22%) including of [[Swiss people|Swiss]] and [[Austria]]n nationalities, [[Irish people|Irish]] (12.2%), and [[English people|English]] (12%). Persons reporting [[German American|German ancestry]] are the largest group in the state and are especially strong in the Front Range, the Rockies (west-central counties) and Eastern parts/High Plains.<ref>http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&formtype=address&latlongtype=decimal&latitude=39.500656&longitude=-105.203628</ref> Denver and nearby areas on the Front Range has sizable [[Scandinavian people|Scandinavian]], [[Italian American|Italian]], [[Slavic]] and [[American Jewish|Jewish]] American communities, partly a legacy of [[gold rush]]es in the late 19th century (1861-1889). {{US Demographics}} There were a total of 70,330 births in Colorado in 2006. (Birth Rate of 14.6). Although Non-Hispanic Whites constituted 73.5% of the population they accounted for only 48.90% of all the births. The first time in state history with the statistic of non-Hispanic whites have less babies. But 14.06% of the births happened to parents of different races (About two-thirds to White-Latino parents).<ref>http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/scripts/htmsql.exe/cohid/natalityPub.hsql</ref> Westernmost counties where the majority of residents are adherents of [[Mormonism]] there's a slightly higher percentage of families with children and those of under age 18. Colorado has a higher number of younger persons in median age: 33, according to the 2000 Census report. Large numbers of married couples in professional careers with young children move to the state in a belief it's a better place to raise a family. Colorado is also a major retirement destination by [[senior citizens]] in search of a warmer climate, recreation activities and the higher altitude in most of Colorado is said to provide health benefits for those with respiratory diseases. ===Religion=== [[Image:Colorado Rocky Mtn Church.jpg|thumb|upright|The Chapel on the Rock at Camp Saint Malo near [[Allenspark, Colorado|Allenspark]].]] [[Image:Great Stupa of Dharmakaya 1.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[stupa|Great Stupa]] of [[Dharmakaya]] near [[Red Feather Lakes, Colorado|Red Feather Lakes]].]] [[Image:USAFA Chapel from terrazzo.JPG|thumb|upright|The Cadet Chapel at the [[United States Air Force Academy]] near [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]].]] Colorado, specifically the city of [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]], serves as the headquarters of numerous Christian groups, most of them [[Protestant]]. [[Focus on the Family]] is a major conservative Christian organization headquartered in the state. [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]] is popular among many Coloradans, and is becoming more so with the influx of Latino [[immigrants]]. Colorado is similar to other Western states in its high percentage of religiously unaffiliated residents. Major religious affiliations of the people of colorado are:<ref>http://religions.pewforum.org/maps</ref> *[[Roman Catholicism in the United States|Roman Catholic]] &ndash; 20% *[[Protestantism|Protestant]] **[[Mainline (Protestant)|Mainline]] &ndash; 19% **[[Evangelicalism#Evangelicalism_in_the_United_States|Evangelical]] &ndash; 23% **Other Protestant &ndash; 2% * LDS/ Mormon &ndash; 2% *[[Jewish]] &ndash; 2% *[[Muslim]] &ndash; 1% *Other Religions &ndash; 1% *Unaffiliated &ndash; 27% === Health === Colorado also has a reputation for being a state of very active and athletic people. According to several studies, Coloradoans have the lowest rates of obesity of any state in the US.<ref>http://calorielab.com/news/wp-images/post-images/fattest-states-2007-big.gif</ref> As of 2007 the 17.6% of the population was considered medically obese, and while the lowest in the nation, the percentage had increased from 16.9% from 2004. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter spoke that “As an avid fisherman and bike rider, I know first-hand that Colorado provides a great environment for active, healthy lifestyles,” although he did highlight the need for continued education and support to slow the growth of obesity in the state.<ref>http://calorielab.com/news/2007/08/06/fattest-states-2007/</ref> ==Economy== [[Image:Denver CO DT WTC AMH 322.JPG|thumb|upright|right|The Denver financial district along 17th Street is known as the "Wall Street of the West"]] [[Image:Corn production in Colorado.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Maize]] growing in [[Larimer County, Colorado|Larimer County]]]] [[Image:DSCN2549 beevesnearwalden 600.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Cattle ranching]] in [[Jackson County, Colorado|Jackson County]]]] [[Image:Grand Junction Trip 92007 131.JPG|thumb|upright|right|An oil well in western Colorado]] {{main article|Economy of Colorado}} The [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] estimates that the total state product in 2006 was $230 billion. Per capita personal income in 2003 was $34,561, putting Colorado eighth in the nation. To see a 2004 per capita personal income comparison table on a state basis<ref>http://www.bea.gov/bea/newsrel/spi_highlights.pdf</ref>. The state's economy broadened from its mid-19th century roots in mining when irrigated agriculture developed, and by the late 19th century, raising livestock had become important. Early industry was based on the extraction and processing of minerals and agricultural products. Current agricultural products are [[cattle]], [[wheat]], [[dairy product]]s, [[maize|corn]], and [[hay]]. The [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] is also a major economic force in the state with many important federal facilities including [[NORAD]], [[United States Air Force Academy]] and [[Peterson Air Force Base]] in [[Colorado Springs]]; [[NOAA]] and the [[National Institute of Standards and Technology]] in [[Boulder, CO|Boulder]]; [[U.S. Geological Survey]] and other government agencies at the Denver Federal Center in [[Lakewood, CO|Lakewood]]; the [[Denver Mint]], [[Buckley Air Force Base]], and [[United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit|10th Circuit Court of Appeals]] in Denver; and a federal [[ADX Florence|Supermax Prison]] and other federal [[prisons]] near [[Cañon City, CO|Cañon City]]. In addition to these and other [[Independent Agencies of the United States Government|federal agencies]], Colorado has abundant [[National Forests|National Forest]] land and four [[List of U.S. national parks by state#Colorado|National Parks]] that contribute to federal ownership of {{convert|24615788|acre|km2|0}} of land in Colorado, or 37% of the total area of the state.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ag.state.co.us/resource/documents/TotalCOLandOwnership.xls |title=Colorado Land Ownership by County (acres) |year=1997 |month=January |author=Tony Frank |format=Excel |publisher=Colorado Department of Agriculture |accessdate=2007-07-15}} [http://www.ag.state.co.us/resource/colorado_land_ownership.html Colorado Department of Agriculture: Land Ownership]</ref> In the second half of the 20th century, the industrial and service sectors have expanded greatly. The state's economy is diversified and is notable for its concentration of scientific research and high-technology industries. Other industries include [[food processing]], transportation equipment, machinery, chemical products, minerals such as [[Gold mining in Colorado|gold]] and [[molybdenum]], and [[tourism]]. Colorado also produces the largest amount of [[beer]] of any state.<ref>[http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/nov/24/reuteman-colorado-rides-on-fat-tire-to-beer/ Colorado rides on Fat Tire to beer heights. Rocky Mountain News 11/24/2007] Accessed 29th November, 2007</ref> Denver is an important financial center. Colorado has a flat 4.63% [[income tax]], regardless of income level. Unlike most states, which calculate taxes based on federal ''adjusted gross income'', Colorado taxes are based on ''taxable income'' - income after federal exemptions and federal itemized (or standard) deductions.<ref>Colorado individual income tax return (2005) [http://www.revenue.state.co.us/PDF/05104f.pdf http://www.revenue.state.co.us/PDF/05104f.pdf], retrieved September 26, 2006</ref><ref>U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (2005) [http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf#search=%22form%201040%20site%3Airs.gov%22 online copy], retrieved [[2006-09-26]]</ref> Colorado's state [[sales tax]] is 2.9% on retail sales. When state revenues exceed state constitutional limits, full-year Colorado residents can claim a sales tax refund on their individual state income tax return. Many counties and cities charge their own rates in addition to the base state rate. There are also certain county and special district taxes that may apply. [[Real estate]] and personal business property are taxable in Colorado. The state's senior property tax exemption was temporarily suspended by the Colorado Legislature in 2003. The tax break is scheduled to return for assessment year 2006, payable in 2007. ===Energy=== Colorado has significant energy resources. According to the [[Energy Information Administration]], Colorado hosts seven of the Nation’s 100 largest natural gas fields and two of its 100 largest oil fields. Conventional and unconventional natural gas output from several Colorado basins typically accounts for more than 5 percent of annual U.S. natural gas production. Substantial deposits of bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite coal are also found in the State. Colorado's high Rocky Mountain ridges offer wind power potential, and geologic activity in the mountain areas provides potential for geothermal power development. Major rivers flowing from the Rocky Mountains offer hydroelectric power resources. Corn grown in the flat eastern part of the State offers potential resources for ethanol production. Notably, Colorado’s oil shale deposits hold an estimated 1 trillion barrels of oil – nearly as much oil as the entire world’s proven oil reserves. Oil production from those deposits, however, remains speculative.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CO |title= EIA State Energy Profiles: Colorado |date=2008-06-12 |accessdate=2008-06-24}}</ref> ===Special tax districts=== Some of the special tax districts are: *The [[Regional Transportation District]] (RTD), which affects the counties of Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, and portions of Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, and Douglas Counties *The [[Scientific and Cultural Facilities District]] (SCFD), a special regional tax district with physical boundaries contiguous with county boundaries of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties **It is a 0.1% retail sales and use tax (one penny on every $10). **According to the Colorado statute, the SCFD distributes the money to local organizations on an annual basis. These organizations must provide for the enlightenment and entertainment of the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement or preservation of art, music, theater, dance, zoology, botany, natural history or cultural history. **As directed by statute, SCFD recipient organizations are currently divided into three "tiers" among which receipts are allocated by percentage. ***Tier I includes regional organizations: the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Zoo, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It receives 65.5%. ***Tier II currently includes 26 regional organizations. Tier II receives 21%. ***Tier III has over 280 local organizations such as small theaters, orchestras, art centers, and natural history, cultural history, and community groups. Tier III organizations apply for funding to the county cultural councils via a grant process. This tier receives 13.5%. **An eleven-member board of directors oversees the distributions in accordance with the Colorado Revised Statutes. Seven board members are appointed by county commissioners (in Denver, the Denver City Council) and four members are appointed by the Governor of Colorado. *The Football Stadium District (FD or FTBL), approved by the voters to pay for and help build the [[Denver Broncos]]' stadium [[INVESCO Field at Mile High]] *Local Improvement Districts (LID) within designated areas of southeast Jefferson and Boulder counties *Regional Transportation Districts (RTA) taxes at varying rates in Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Gunnison County *Occupational Privilege Taxes (OPT or Head Tax) Denver and Aurora both levy an OPT on Employers and Employees **If any employee performs work in the city limits and is paid over US$500.00 for that work in a single month, the Employee and Employer are both liable for the OPT regardless of where the main business office is located or headquartered. **In Denver, the Employer is liable for US$4.00 per employee per month and the Employee is liable for US$5.75 per month. **In Aurora, both Employer and Employees are liable for US$2.00 per month. **It is the Employer's responsibility to with hold, remit, and file the OPT returns. If an Employer does not comply, they can be held liable for both portions of the OPT as well as penalties and interest. {{clear}} ==Transportation== [[Image:Colorado.JPG|thumb|upright|Colorado state welcome sign]] A number of [[Interstate Highway|Interstate]] and [[U.S. Highway]]s serve Colorado: [[Interstate 25 (Colorado)|I-25]], [[Interstate 70 (Colorado)|I-70]], [[Interstate 76 (Colorado)|I-76]], [[Interstate 225 (Colorado)|I-225]], [[Interstate 270 (Colorado)|I-270]], [[U.S. Highway 6 (Colorado)|US 6]], [[U.S. Highway 24 (Colorado)|US 24]], [[U.S. Highway 34 (Colorado)|US 34]], [[U.S. Highway 36 (Colorado)|US 36]], [[U.S. Highway 40 (Colorado)|US 40]], [[U.S. Highway 50 (Colorado)|US 50]], [[U.S. Highway 84 (Colorado)|US 84]], [[U.S. Highway 85 (Colorado)|US 85]], [[U.S. Highway 87 (Colorado)|US 87]], [[U.S. Highway 138 (Colorado)|US 138]], [[U.S. Highway 160 (Colorado)|US 160]], [[U.S. Highway 285 (Colorado)|US 285]], [[U.S. Highway 287 (Colorado)|US 287]], [[U.S. Highway 350 (Colorado)|US 350]], [[U.S. Highway 400 (Colorado)|US 400]], [[U.S. Highway 491 (Colorado)|US 491]], and [[U.S. Highway 550 (Colorado)|US 550]]. [[Image:Denver International Airport security.jpg|thumb|upright|Denver International Airport]] {| |+ '''Commercial Airports in the State of Colorado''' |- | valign="top" | *[[San Luis Valley Regional Airport|ALS]] - [[San Luis Valley Regional Airport]] *[[Aspen-Pitkin County Airport|ASE]] - [[Aspen-Pitkin County Airport]] *[[Cortez Municipal Airport|CEZ]] - [[Cortez Municipal Airport]] *[[Colorado Springs Airport|COS]] - [[Colorado Springs Airport|City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport]] *'''[[Denver International Airport|DEN]] - [[Denver International Airport]]'''<ref name=DIA>Denver International Airport was the ninth busiest airport on Earth in 2006.</ref> *[[Durango-La Plata County Airport|DRO]] - [[Durango-La Plata County Airport]] *[[Eagle County Regional Airport|EGE]] - [[Eagle County Regional Airport]] | valign="top" | *[[Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport|FNL]] - [[Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport]] *[[Grand Junction Regional Airport|GJT]] - [[Grand Junction Regional Airport]] *[[Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport|GUC]] - [[Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport]] *[[Yampa Valley Airport|HDN]] - [[Yampa Valley Airport]] *[[Montrose Regional Airport|MTJ]] - [[Montrose Regional Airport]] *[[Pueblo Memorial Airport|PUB]] - [[Pueblo Memorial Airport]] *[[Telluride Regional Airport|TEX]] - [[Telluride Regional Airport]] |} </center> <br/> [[Image:UnionStationDenver01 gobeirne.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Union Station (Denver)|Union Station]] in Denver]] {| |+ '''Amtrak Passenger Railroad Routes through the State of Colorado''' |- | valign="top" | *'''''[[California Zephyr]]:'''''&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], [[Galesburg, Illinois|Galesburg]], [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]], '''[[Fort Morgan, Colorado|Fort Morgan]], [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], [[Winter Park, Colorado|Winter Park]], [[Granby, Colorado|Granby]], [[Glenwood Springs, Colorado|Glenwood Springs]], [[Grand Junction, Colorado|Grand Junction]]''', [[Salt Lake City, Utah|Salt Lake City]], [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]], [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]], and [[Emeryville, California|Emeryville]] *'''''[[Southwest Chief]]:'''''&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], [[Galesburg, Illinois|Galesburg]], [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]], [[Topeka, Kansas|Topeka]], '''[[Lamar, Colorado|Lamar]], [[La Junta, Colorado|La Junta]], [[Trinidad, Colorado|Trinidad]]''', [[Albuquerque, New Mexico|Albuquerque]], [[Gallup, New Mexico|Gallup]], [[Flagstaff, Arizona|Flagstaff]], [[Needles, California|Needles]], [[San Bernardino, California|San Bernardino]], and [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] |} <br/> {| |+ '''Communities in the State of Colorado with Regional Bus Service''' |- | valign="top" | [[Alamosa, Colorado|Alamosa]], [[Aurora, Colorado|Aurora]], [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]], [[Brush, Colorado|Brush]], '''[[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]]''', [[Delta, Colorado|Delta]], '''[[Denver, Colorado|Denver]]''', [[Durango, Colorado|Durango]], [[Englewood, Colorado|Englewood]], [[Frisco, Colorado|Frisco]], '''[[Fort Collins, Colorado|Fort Collins]]''', [[Fort Morgan, Colorado|Fort Morgan]], [[Glenwood Springs, Colorado|Glenwood Springs]], '''[[Grand Junction, Colorado|Grand Junction]]''', '''[[Greeley, Colorado|Greeley]]''', [[Lamar, Colorado|Lamar]], [[Limon, Colorado|Limon]], [[Longmont, Colorado|Longmont]], [[Montrose, Colorado|Montrose]], '''[[Pueblo, Colorado|Pueblo]]''', [[Rocky Ford, Colorado|Rocky Ford]], [[Springfield, Colorado|Springfield]], [[Sterling, Colorado|Sterling]], [[Trinidad, Colorado|Trinidad]], [[Vail, Colorado|Vail]], and [[Walsenburg, Colorado|Walsenburg]] |} {{see also|Colorado Department of Transportation|List of Colorado state highways|List of airports in Colorado|Amtrak}} {{clear}} ==Government and Politics== ===State government=== {{main|Law and Government of Colorado}} [[Image:Denver capital.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The Colorado State Capitol in Denver]] {| align="right" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 75%;" |+ '''Governor elections results''' |- bgcolor=lightgrey ! Year ! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] ! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 2006|2006]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|40.16% ''625,886 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''56.98%''' ''888,096 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 2002|2002]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''62.62%''' ''884,584 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|33.65% ''475,373 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1998|1998]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''49.06%''' ''648,202 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|48.43% ''639,905 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1994|1994]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|38.70% ''432,042 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''55.47%''' ''619,205 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1990|1990]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|35.43% ''358,403 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''61.89%''' ''626,032 |} Like all [[U.S. state]]s, Colorado's [[constitution]] provides for three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The [[List of Governors of Colorado|governor]] heads the state's executive branch. The [[Colorado Supreme Court]] is the highest judicial body in the state. The state legislative body is the [[Colorado General Assembly]], which is made up of two houses, the [[Colorado House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and the [[Colorado Senate|Senate]]. The House has 65 members and the Senate has 35. Currently, [[United States Democratic Party|Democrats]] are in control of both chambers of the General Assembly. The 2005 Colorado General Assembly was the first to be controlled by the Democrats in forty years. The incumbent Governor of the State of Colorado is [[Bill Ritter (politician)|August William "Bill" Ritter, Jr.]] (D). Many Coloradans are transplanted citizens (over half of them were Californians in the 1990s), and this is illustrated by the fact that the state has not had a native-born governor since 1975 (when [[John David Vanderhoof]] left office) and -- until [[Colorado gubernatorial election, 2006|Bill Ritter's election in November 2006]] -- had not elected one since 1958, in the person of [[Stephen L.R. McNichols]]. Vanderhoof ascended from the Lieutenant Governorship when [[John Arthur Love]] was given a position in [[Richard Nixon]]'s administration in 1973.) [[Bill Ritter (politician)|Bill Ritter]] (D), a humanitarian missionary worker in Africa and former Denver District Attorney, defeated former congressman and banker [[Bob Beauprez]] (R) in the [[Colorado gubernatorial election, 2006|2006 gubernatorial election]]. {{clear}} ===Federal politics=== {{main|Politics of Colorado}} {| align="right" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 75%;" |+ '''Presidential elections results''' |- bgcolor=lightgrey ! Year ! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] ! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''51.69%''' ''1,101,255 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|47.02% ''1,001,732 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''50.75%''' ''883,745 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|42.39% ''738,227 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''45.80%''' ''691,848 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|44.43% ''671,152 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|35.87% ''562,850 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''40.13%''' '' ''629,681 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''53.06%''' ''728,177 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|45.28% ''621,453 |} Colorado is considered a [[swing state]] in both state and federal elections. Coloradans elected 17 [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] and 12 [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] to the governorship in the last 100 years. In presidential politics, Colorado supported Democrat [[Bill Clinton]] in 1992, and supported Republican presidential nominee [[Bob Dole|Robert J. Dole]] in 1996 and [[George W. Bush]] in [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]]. George W. Bush won the state's 9 electoral votes in the 2004 election, by a margin of 5 percentage points with 51.7% of the vote, considerably less than the 9% margin Bush won by in 2000. However this can be largely attributed to the 5% of the vote [[Ralph Nader]] won in 2000. Colorado politics has the contrast of conservative cities such as Colorado Springs and liberal cities such as Boulder. Democrats are strongest in [[Denver Metropolitan Area|metropolitan Denver]], the college towns of [[Fort Collins, Colorado|Fort Collins]] and [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]], southern Colorado (including Pueblo), and a few western ski resort counties. The Republicans are strongest in the Eastern Plains, [[Colorado Springs]], Greeley, some Denver suburbs, and the western half of State (including Grand Junction). The fastest growing parts of the state particularly Douglas, Elbert, and Weld Counties, in the [[Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area]], are somewhat Republican. The two current U.S. [[United States Senate|Senators]] from Colorado are [[Wayne Allard]] (R), and [[Ken Salazar]] (D). The state has seven [[Colorado Congressional Districts|U.S. Congressional districts]], based on the [[United States Census, 2000|2000 Census]]. {{see also|United States presidential election, 2004, in Colorado|Colorado's congressional elections, 2006|Colorado gubernatorial election, 2006}} {{clear}} ==Cities and Towns== {{main|Colorado municipalities}} {{see also|List of cities and towns in Colorado|Table of Colorado municipalities by county}} Colorado has 271 [[Colorado municipalities|incorporated municipalities]] and 83 active [[United States Census Bureau|United States]] [[Census Designated Place]]s.<ref name=COmuniStatus>{{cite web | date = [[2006-09-18]] | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/LGS/localgovtinfo/municipalities.htm | title = Active Colorado Municipalities as of September 18, 2006 | format = [[HTML]] | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs | accessdate = 2007-01-08 }}</ref><ref name=Census2000Places>{{cite web | date = 2000 | url = http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/places2k.txt | title = Census 2000 Places | format = [[text file]] | work = Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | accessdate = 2007-01-08 }}</ref> {{-}} {{wide image|2006-07-14-Denver Skyline Midnight.jpg|847px|The skyline of downtown Denver with Speer Boulevard in the foreground}} ==Counties== [[Image:Map of Colorado counties, labelled.svg|thumb|Map of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado.]] {{main|Colorado counties}} Colorado is divided into 64 [[county (United States)|counties]], including two counties with [[Consolidated city-county|consolidated city and county governments]].<ref name= CountiesCO>{{cite web | date = [[2007-01-08]] | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/counties.html | title = Colorado Counties | format = [[HTML]] | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs | accessdate = 2007-01-30 }}</ref> ==Education== [[Image:Norlin Library - Colorado.jpg|thumb|upright|right|The [[University of Colorado at Boulder]].]] <!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:University of Denver campus pics 003.jpg|170px|right|thumb|[[University of Denver]]]] --> [[Image:Cadet chapel.jpg|thumb|upright|right|The [[United States Air Force Academy]].]] Colleges and universities in Colorado: {{columns |width=320px |col1 = *[[Adams State College]] *[[Aims Community College]] *[[Arapahoe Community College]] *[[Art Institute of Colorado]] *[[Colorado Christian University]] *[[Colorado College]] *[[Colorado Community College Online]] *[[Colorado Mountain College]] *[[Colorado Northwestern Community College]] *[[Colorado School of Mines]] *[[Colorado State University|Colorado State University System]] **[[Colorado State University]] **[[Colorado State University-Pueblo]] *[[Colorado Technical University]] *[[Community College of Aurora]] *[[Community College of Denver]] *[[Denver Seminary]] *[[Fort Lewis College]] *[[Front Range Community College]] *[[Heritage College & Heritage Institute]] *[[Iliff School of Theology]] *[[Johnson & Wales University]] *[[Jones International University]] *[[Lamar Community College]] |col2 = *[[Mesa State College]] *[[Metropolitan State College of Denver]] *[[Morgan Community College]] *[[Naropa University]] *[[National Technological University]] *[[Nazarene Bible College]] *[[Northeastern Junior College]] *[[Otero Junior College]] *[[Pikes Peak Community College]] *[[Pueblo Community College]] *[[Red Rocks Community College]] *[[Regis University]] *[[Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design]] *[[Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine]] *[[Trinidad State Junior College]] *[[United States Air Force Academy]] *[[University of Colorado System]] **[[University of Colorado at Boulder]] **[[University of Colorado at Colorado Springs]] **[[University of Colorado Denver]] *[[University of Denver]] *[[University of Northern Colorado]] *[[Western State College]] }} {{see also|List of colleges and universities in Colorado|List of school districts in Colorado}} ==Metropolitan Areas== [[Image:Colorado census statistical areas.svg|thumb|Map of the 14 [[Core Based Statistical Area]]s in the State of Colorado.]] {{main|Colorado metropolitan areas}} {{see also|Colorado census statistical areas}} The [[United States Census Bureau]] has defined seven [[Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas|Metropolitan Statistical Areas]] (MSAs), seven [[Table of United States Micropolitan Statistical Areas|Micropolitan Statistical Areas]] (μSAs), and one [[Table of United States Combined Statistical Areas|Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA) in the State of Colorado.<ref name=PopEstCompCBSA>{{cite web | url = http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metropop/2005/cbsa-01-fmt.csv | title = CBSA-EST2005-alldata: Population Estimates and Estimated Components of Change for Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas and Their Geographic Components: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 | format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division | date = [[2006-08-18]] | accessdate = 2007-03-14}}</ref><ref name=PopEstCompCSA>{{cite web | url = http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metropop/2005/csa_all_2005.csv | title = CSA-EST2005-alldata: Population Estimates and Estimated Components of Change for Combined Statistical Areas and Their Geographic Components: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 | format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division | date = [[2006-08-18]] | accessdate = 2007-03-14}}</ref> ==Military facilities== *[[Buckley Air Force Base]] *[[Fort Carson]] **[[Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site]] *[[Peterson Air Force Base]] **[[Cheyenne Mountain Directorate]] *[[Pueblo Chemical Depot]] *[[Schriever Air Force Base]] *[[United States Air Force Academy]] ==Protected areas== [[Image:Longs Peak.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Longs Peak]] in [[Rocky Mountain National Park]].]] [[Image:Grand Junction Trip 92007 106.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Colorado National Monument]].]] Nationally Protected Areas in Colorado: *[[Arapaho National Recreation Area]]<ref name=NFS>Managed by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]], [[National Forest Service]].</ref> *[[Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site]] *[[Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park]] *[[Canyons of the Ancients National Monument]]<ref name=BLM>Managed by the [[United States Department of the Interior]], [[Bureau of Land Management]].</ref> *[[Colorado National Monument]] *[[Continental Divide National Scenic Trail]]<ref name=NFSNPSBLM>Jointly managed by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]], [[National Forest Service]], and the [[United States Department of the Interior]], [[National Park Service]] and [[Bureau of Land Management]].</ref> *[[Curecanti National Recreation Area]] *[[Dinosaur National Monument]] *[[Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument]] *[[Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve]] *[[Hovenweep National Monument]] *[[Mesa Verde National Park]] and [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] *[[Old Spanish National Historic Trail]] *[[Pony Express National Historic Trail]] *[[Rocky Mountain National Park]] *[[Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site]] *[[Santa Fe National Historic Trail]] *[[Yucca House National Monument]] {{see also|Colorado national parks|Colorado state parks|Colorado trails|Colorado scenic and historic byways}} ==Sports== ===Professional sports teams=== [[Image:Coors field 1.JPG|thumb|upright|The [[Colorado Rockies]] [[National League]] baseball club at [[Coors Field]] in Denver.]] [[Image:Denver invesco stadium 1.jpg|thumb|upright|[[INVESCO Field at Mile High]], home of the [[Denver Broncos]] [[National Football League]] club and the [[Denver Outlaws]] [[Major League Lacrosse]] club.]] [[Image:Pepsi Center.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Pepsi Center]] in Denver, home of the [[Denver Nuggets]] [[National Basketball Association]] club, the [[Colorado Avalanche]] [[National Hockey League]] club, the [[Colorado Mammoth]] [[National Lacrosse League]] club, and the [[Colorado Crush]] [[Arena Football League]] club.]] [[Image:Dick's Park.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]] in [[Commerce City, Colorado|Commerce City]], home of the [[Colorado Rapids]] [[Major League Soccer]] football club.]] Colorado is the least populous state with a franchise in each of the [[major professional sports league]]s. The state is able to support the teams because it contains a large [[metropolitan area]] with a higher population than any other city within {{convert|550|mi|km|0|sp=us}}. Therefore, many of the residents in the surrounding states support the [[Sports in Denver, Colorado|teams in Denver]], as shown by the reach of the Broncos' radio network.<ref>http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=1637</ref> {| class="wikitable" !Club !Sport !League |- |[[Colorado Rockies]] |[[Baseball]] |[[Major League Baseball]] |- |[[Denver Broncos]] |[[American football|Football]] |[[National Football League]] |- |[[Colorado Avalanche]] |[[Ice hockey]] |[[National Hockey League]] |- |[[Denver Nuggets]] |[[Basketball]] |[[National Basketball Association]] |- |[[Colorado Rapids]] |[[Soccer]] |[[Major League Soccer]] |- |[[Colorado Mammoth]] |[[Lacrosse]] |[[National Lacrosse League]] |- |[[Denver Outlaws]] |Lacrosse |[[Major League Lacrosse]] |- |[[Colorado Chill]] |Basketball |[[National Women's Basketball League]] |- |[[Colorado Crush]] |[[Arena football]] |[[Arena Football League]] |- |[[Aurora Cavalry]] |Basketball |[[International Basketball League (2005-)|International Basketball League]] |- |[[Colorado 14ers]] |Basketball |[[NBA D-League]] |- |[[Colorado Crossover]] |Basketball |International Basketball League |- |[[Colorado Springs Sky Sox]] |Baseball |[[Minor League Baseball]] (AAA) |- |[[Colorado Eagles]] |Ice hockey |[[Central Hockey League]] |- |[[Rocky Mountain Rage]] |Ice hockey |Central Hockey League |- |[[Colorado Rapids U23's]] |Soccer |[[USL Premier Development League]] |- |[[Colorado Springs Blizzard]] |Soccer |USL Premier Development League |- |[[Colorado Springs Sabers]] |Soccer |[[Women's Premier Soccer League]] |- |[[Denver Diamonds]] |Soccer |Women's Premier Soccer League |- |} ====Former professional sports teams==== {|class="wikitable" !Club !Sport !League |- |[[Colorado Rockies (NHL)]] (moved to [[Newark, New Jersey]] and are now the [[New Jersey Devils]]) |Ice Hockey |[[National Hockey League]] |-denver mammoth NLL |[[Colorado Xplosion]] (won the Western Conference Championship in inaugural season) |Women's Basketball |[[American Basketball League (1996-1998)]] |- |[[Denver Grizzlies]] (moved to [[Salt Lake City, Utah]], later moved to [[Cleveland, Ohio]] and became the [[Lake Erie Monsters]]) |Ice Hockey |[[International Hockey League (1945-2001)]] |- |[[Denver Spurs]] (moved to [[Ottawa, Ontario]] and became the [[Ottawa Civics]] for the rest of the team's existence) |Ice Hockey |[[World Hockey Association]]/[[Central Hockey League]]/[[Western Hockey League]] |- |[[Denver Dynamite]] (Inaugural member of the Arena Football League, folded after four seasons) |Arena Football |[[Arena Football League]] |- |[[Denver Gold]] (United States Football League member, 1983-1985) |Football |[[United States Football League]] |- |[[Denver Bears]]/[[Denver Zephyrs]] (moved to [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] and became the [[New Orleans Zephyrs]]) |Baseball |[[American Association (20th century)|American Association]]/[[Pacific Coast League]] |} {{clear}} ==State symbols== {{main|List of Colorado state symbols}} ==Famous Coloradans== {{main|List of people from Colorado}} ==See also== *[[List of Colorado-related topics]] {{portal|Colorado|Flag of Colorado.svg|left=yes}} {{clear}} <!-- Please place links to all topics directly related to the State of Colorado in the [[List of Colorado-related topics]] --> {{columns |width=320px |col1 = *[[Airports of Colorado]] *[[Cities and towns in Colorado]] *[[Colleges and universities in Colorado]] *[[Colorado Plateau]] *[[Companies of Colorado]] *[[Counties of the State of Colorado]] *[[Demographics of Colorado]] *[[Drainage basins of Colorado]] *[[Economy of Colorado]] *[[Front Range Urban Corridor]] *[[Colorado General Assembly|General Assembly of Colorado]] *[[Geography of Colorado]] *[[Geology of the Rocky Mountains]] *[[Ghost towns of Colorado]] *[[Gold mining in Colorado]] *[[Governor of the State of Colorado]] *[[High Plains]] *[[High schools of Colorado]] *[[Highways of Colorado]] *[[History of Colorado]] *[[Hospitals in Colorado]] |col2 = *[[Law and government of Colorado]] *[[Law enforcement agencies of Colorado]] *[[Metropolitan areas of Colorado]] *[[Mountain passes of Colorado]] *[[Mountain peaks of Colorado]] *[[Mountain ranges of Colorado]] *[[Municipalities of Colorado]] *[[List of museums in Colorado|Museums in Colorado]] *[[Music of Colorado]] *[[National forests of Colorado]] *[[National historic landmarks of Colorado]] *[[National parks and monuments of Colorado]] *[[National wilderness areas of Colorado]] *[[National wildlife refuges of Colorado]] *[[Newspapers of Colorado]] *[[People from Colorado]] *[[Pike's Peak Gold Rush]] *[[Places in Colorado]] *[[Radio stations in Colorado]] *[[Railroads in Colorado]] *[[Registered historic places of Colorado]] |col3 = *[[Religion in Colorado]] *[[Rivers of Colorado]] *[[Southern Rocky Mountains|Rocky Mountains]] *[[Scenic and historic byways of Colorado]] *[[School districts of Colorado]] *[[Silver mining in Colorado]] *[[Ski resorts of Colorado]] *[[Colorado State Capitol|State Capitol of Colorado]] *[[Colorado State Forest|State forest of Colorado]] *[[State parks of Colorado]] *[[Colorado State Patrol|State Patrol of Colorado]] *[[State prisons of Colorado]] *[[Supreme Court of Colorado]] *[[List of Colorado state symbols|Symbols of the State of Colorado]] *[[Television stations in Colorado]] *[[Territory of Colorado]] *[[Territory of Jefferson]] *[[Trails of Colorado]] *[[U.S. congressional delegations from Colorado]] *[[U.S. congressional districts of Colorado]] *[[Uranium mining in Colorado]] }} ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==Further reading== {{refbegin}} *<cite>Explore Colorado, A Naturalist's Handbook</cite>, The Denver Museum of Natural History and Westcliff Publishers, 1995, ISBN 1-56579-124-X for an excellent guide to the ecological regions of Colorado. *<cite>The Archeology of Colorado, Revised Edition</cite>, E. Steve Cassells, Johnson Books, Boulder, Colorado, 1997, trade paperback, ISBN 1-55566-193-9. *<cite>Chokecherry Places, Essays from the High Plains</cite>, Merrill Gilfillan, Johnson Press, Boulder, Colorado, trade paperback, ISBN 1-55566-227-7. *<cite>[[The Tie That Binds]]</cite>, [[Kent Haruf]], 1984, hardcover, ISBN 0-03-071979-8, a fictional account of farming in Colorado. *<cite>Railroads of Colorado: Your Guide to Colorado's Historic Trains and Railway Sites</cite>, Claude Wiatrowski, Voyageur Press, 2002, hardcover, 160 pages, ISBN 0-89658-591-3 {{refend}} ==External links== {{sisterlinks}} {{wikinewshas|news about [[wikinews:Portal:Colorado|Colorado]]}} '''State government''' *[http://www.colorado.gov/ State of Colorado government website] *[http://www.cde.state.co.us/index_educator.htm Colorado Department of Education] **[http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/symbemb.htm Colorado state symbols and emblems] **[http://www.colorado.com Colorado official state vacation guide] *[http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CO Energy Profile for Colorado] **[http://www.colorado.gov/colorado-government/chambers_commerceAD.html Colorado Chambers of Commerce] **[http://www.colorado.gov/colorado/agencies.html Colorado state government departments and agencies] ***[http://www.dot.state.co.us/ Colorado Department of Transportation] ****[http://www.dot.state.co.us/App_DTD_DataAccess/Maps/index.cfm?fuseaction=MapsMain&MenuType=Maps Colorado highway maps] *****[http://dtdexternal.dot.state.co.us/travelmap/ Colorado Travel Map] *[http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/Colorado List of searchable databases produced by Colorado state agencies] hosted by the [http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/Main_Page American Library Association Government Documents Roundtable]. '''Federal government''' *[http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CO Energy Information Administration] - Official energy statistics from the U.S. government for Colorado *[http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=CO USGS Colorado state facts, real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Colorado] *[http://www.census.gov/ United States Census Bureau] **[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html Colorado QuickFacts] **[http://www.census.gov/population/documentation/twps0056/tab20.pdf Colorado - Race and Hispanic Origin: 1860 to 1990] **[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=n&_lang=en&qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP3&ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&geo_id=04000US08 Colorado economic data] **[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=n&_lang=en&qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP4&ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&geo_id=04000US08 Colorado housing data] **[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=n&_lang=en&qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP2&ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&geo_id=04000US08 Colorado social data] *[http://www.ers.usda.gov/statefacts/co.htm USDA ERS Colorado state facts] '''Other''' *{{wikitravel|Colorado}} *[http://www.usastatesdates.com/colorado.htm History topics timeline of Colorado 1826-1926] **[http://www.rootsweb.com/~coplaces/index.html Colorado Places by County] **[http://www.stanwyck.com/cogenweb/cocounties.html Colorado County Evolution] *[http://www.terragalleria.com/america/south-west/colorado/ Terra Galleria Photos of Colorado] {{coor title d|39|N|105.5|W|region:US-CO_type:state}} {{-}} {{Colorado|expanded}} {{United States}} {{succession | preceded = [[Nebraska]] | office = [[List of U.S. states by date of statehood]] | years = Admitted on [[August 1]], [[1876]] (38th) | succeeded = [[North Dakota]] }} [[Category:Colorado| ]] [[Category:States of the United States]] [[Category:1876 establishments]] [[af:Colorado]] [[ang:Colorado]] [[ar:كولورادو]] [[frp:Colorado]] [[ast:Colorado]] [[az:Kolorado]] [[bn:কলোরাডো]] [[zh-min-nan:Colorado]] [[be:Штат Каларада]] [[bs:Colorado]] [[br:Colorado]] [[bg:Колорадо]] [[ca:Colorado]] [[cv:Колорадо]] [[cs:Colorado]] [[cy:Colorado]] [[da:Colorado]] [[de:Colorado]] [[nv:Dibé nitsa hahoodzo]] [[et:Colorado]] [[el:Κολοράντο]] [[es:Colorado]] [[eo:Koloradio]] [[eu:Kolorado]] [[fa:کلرادو]] [[fo:Colorado]] [[fr:Colorado]] [[fy:Kolorado]] [[ga:Colorado]] [[gv:Colorado]] [[gd:Colorado]] [[gl:Colorado, Estados Unidos de América]] [[ko:콜로라도 주]] [[haw:Kololako]] [[hy:Կոլորադո]] [[hi:कोलोरैडो]] [[hr:Colorado]] [[io:Kolorado]] [[ig:Colorado]] [[bpy:কলোরাডো]] [[id:Colorado]] [[ik:Colorado]] [[os:Колорадо]] [[is:Colorado]] [[it:Colorado]] [[he:קולורדו]] [[pam:Colorado]] [[ka:კოლორადო (შტატი)]] [[ks:Kālarēḍō]] [[kw:Kolorado]] [[ht:Kolorado]] [[ku:Colorado]] [[lad:Colorado]] [[la:Coloratum]] [[lv:Kolorādo]] [[lb:Colorado (Bundesstaat)]] [[lt:Koloradas (valstija)]] [[lij:Colorado]] [[jbo:kolorados]] [[hu:Colorado]] [[mk:Колорадо]] [[ml:കൊളറാഡോ]] [[mi:Colorado]] [[mr:कॉलोराडो]] [[ms:Colorado]] [[nl:Colorado (staat)]] [[ja:コロラド州]] [[no:Colorado]] [[nn:Colorado]] [[oc:Colorado (estat)]] [[uz:Kolorado]] [[pms:Colorado]] [[nds:Colorado]] [[pl:Kolorado]] [[pt:Colorado]] [[ro:Colorado (stat SUA)]] [[ru:Колорадо]] [[sq:Colorado]] [[scn:Coloradu]] [[simple:Colorado]] [[sk:Colorado (štát USA)]] [[sl:Kolorado]] [[sr:Колорадо (држава)]] [[sh:Colorado]] [[fi:Colorado]] [[sv:Colorado]] [[ta:கொலராடோ]] [[th:มลรัฐโคโลราโด]] [[vi:Colorado]] [[tr:Kolorado]] [[uk:Колорадо]] [[ur:کولوراڈو]] [[vo:Colorado]] [[yi:קאלאראדא]] [[diq:Colorado]] [[bat-smg:Kolorads (valstėjė)]] [[zh:科羅拉多州]]