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Colorado, the name given to the region by the early Spanish, is derived from the Spanish Colorado, meaning red, due to the vast areas of red rocks and sands in the formations of the western part of the state.
Nicknames: Silver, because of large quantities of silver produced from mines in the state since 1858. It is called the Centennial State because it was admitted to the Union in 1876 just 100 years after the Declaration of Independence! State Data: 103,658 square miles of land with 290 square miles of water. Gross area: 103,948 sq. miles. Motto: "Nile Sine Numine (Nothing without Providence)." State Flower: Columbine. Main Rivers: The North and South Platte rivers drain all north and northeast part of the state, flowing into the Mississippi; the Rio Grande drains the south-central portion of the state, flowing through New Mexico and Texas to form part of the United States-Mexico border; the Colorado River and many tributaries drain the entire western slope, flowing into the Gulf of California and the Sea of Cortez. Great gorges cut through mountain rocks by these fast-falling rivers include Royal Gorge of the Arkansas (Fremont county), Black Canyon of the Gunnison (Montrose), Big Thompson (Larimer), Lodore (Moffat). Mountain Ranges: There are 50 mountain peaks of 14,000 feet or more altitude and 1,064 of 10,000 feet or more. Eighteen mountain passes with broad, improved highways cross the Continental Divide, that traverses the state north and south, at altitudes of 10,000 feet or more, the highest being Trail Ridge (Estes Park to Grand Lake), 12,185 feet, and the next independence (Lake-Pitkin), 12,095. Five great valleys run through the Continental Divide area from north to south, known as North Park, Estes Park, Middle Park, South Park and San Luis valley. Topography: Boundaries include: N., Wyoming, Nebraska; E., Nebraska, Kansas; S., Oklahoma, New Mexico; W., Utah. Elevation: Average - 6,800 feet. The lowest point is the Arkansas river, southeast corner, 3,385 feet; highest, Mt. Elbert, 14,431 Agriculture: Over 6,000,000 acres are harvested annually. The principal crops are hay, small grains, sugar beets, potatoes, corn, beans, cantaloupes, apples, peaches, pears, apricots, cherries, vegetables for canning and general market. Lamb and Cattle feeding center. Manufacturing includes: Sugar produced from sugar beats. Meat packing at Denver and Pueblo; large flour and other grain product plants; railroad equipment; fruit and vegetable canning; printing and publishing, electronics, and some software. Geology: Minerals: Thirty-six minerals produced in the state. At one time Colorado lead in coal production. Other minerals include gold, molybdenum, silver, lead, and zinc. Petroleum is also produced. Leading Cities: Denver, Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Greeley, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Trinidad, Longmont, Loveland, and Sterling. Mining centers in the state include Leadville, Cripple Creek, Silverton, Boulder, and Uravan.
Climate- Consistently dry and healthful, due to altitude and mountain influence. Temperatures and precipitation vary widely in different altitudes. Denver is over 5,000 feet in elevation and called the "mile-high city".
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Events- Search Events in Colorado. Click Here!
Food- Traditional American food in most communities. There is some Basque foods in different areas. Chinese food is also prevalent.
Foreign Visitors- Foreigners entering the United States must carry two documents: A valid Passport, expiring not less than 6 months prior to the scheduled end of their visit to the U.S.; and a tourist visa obtainable at any American consulate at no charge. Anyone applying for an immigrant's visa must obtain a screening test for the AIDS-HIV virus. This test does not apply to tourists. Any visitor with a medical condition that requires treatment with narcotics or with paraphernalia must carry a valid, signed prescription from their doctor. Travel insurance is optional in the US but required by most car rental companies. See our link on money conversion for foreign guests.
History- Prehistoric Cliff Dwelling Civilization in the Mesa Verde region. In 1541 the Spanish explorer, Coronado, is thought to have crossed the southeastern corner of present Colorado on his return march to Mexico after a vain hunt for the fabled golden Seven Cities of Cibola. 1682 French explorer La Salle claims for Spain the area of Colorado east of the Rocky Mountains. 1820 Major Stephen H. Long is sent by President Monroe to explore the southern boundary of the Louisiana Purchase. Longs' party travel up the South Platte River. Longs' peak is named for him. Several Indian tribes inhabited the area. The Utes live in the mountains, the Arapahoe's and Cheyenne's are camped on the plains from the Arkansas to the Platte rivers, and the Comanche's and Kiowa's are in the area south of the Arkansas River. The Pawnee tribe are near the Republican River and the Sioux Indians sometimes hunt the area. 1858 placer gold deposits are discovered by Green Russell near the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek, this causes the gold rush from the East and coins the phrase "Pikes Peak or Bust". 1861 the present state boundaries are formed with the congressional establishment of the Colorado Territory. 1876 Colorado is admitted to the Union and dubbed the "Centennial State". 1900 the population of the state is 539,700 and Cripple Creek gold production is more than $20,000,000 annually. The second largest in its' day. 1906 the U.S. Mint at Denver issues its' first coin. 1923 Oil is discovered in Wellington field just north of Fort Collins. 1931 the population reaches 1,000,000. July 31, 1976 a cloudburst on the Big Thompson River kills 145 people in Larimer County. 1980-1990 major growth from technology in Colorado.
Language- English, Spanish
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Money- US Currency - Currency conversion from: www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet
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Recreation- Search Events in Colorado. Click Here!
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Seasons- Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter!
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Travel- This country is big and best seen by private auto!
Tips- In the high country early spring and Fall snow storms can catch you unaware, be prepared!
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