Colorado Information

Colorado Snow Skiing

Colorado Camping

Colorado Fall Colors

Spirit of Colorado

Click on Map for Larger Map

Colorado is nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains and straddles the continental divide. Colorado has:

The most land of any state higher than 10,000 feet in elevation
The most mountains higher than 14,000 feet in elevation

State Nickname

The Centennial State

Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876, one hundred years after the United States was born. This is why the state nickname is the Centennial State. Although August 1 now comes and goes for most like any other work day, Coloradans once celebrated it like the Fourth of July. In 1973, Aug. 1 was made an official legal holiday. It was changed to a commemorative holiday in 1988 because of too many other holidays on the calendar.

State Moto

Nil Sine Numine

The Latin phrase "Nil Sine Numine", was adopted as part of the Territorial Seal. At recurring intervals, discussion has ensued concerning interpretation of this Latin phrase which commonly translated is "Nothing without Providence". Others say it is "Nothing without God". In the early mining days of the State, the unregenerate said it meant "nothing without a new mine". In a strict sense, one cannot possibly get "God" from "numine", God being a purely Anglo-Saxon word. The word "numine" means any divinity, god or goddess. The best evidence of intent of Colorado's official designers and framers of the resolution for adoption of the seal is contained in the committee report wherein clear distinction was made between "numine" and "Deo" and it is specifically states that the committee's interpretative translation was "Nothing without the Deity".

The name of Colorado came from the Spanish word "colorado" which means "reddish".
The state is famous for the Rocky Mountains.
The state capital and largest city is Denver.
As of the 2000 census, the population of Colorado is 4,301,261.
The U.S. Post Office abbreviation for the state is CO.

The Rocky Mountains, often called the Rockies, are a broad mountain range in western North America.

The Rocky Mountains stretch more than 3000 miles from Mexico, through the continental United States, into Canada, and Alaska.

The highest peak in Colorado is Mount Elbert, which is 14,433 feet above sea level. The mountain is near the small mountain town of Twin Lakes.

State Flag

Colorado State Seal

State Animal

Rocky Mountain
Big Horn Sheep

State Bird

Lark Bunting

State Fish

Greenback Cutthroat Trout

State Tree

Colorado Blue Spruce

State Flower

Columbine

State Grass

Blue Grama

State Insect

Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly

State Gem

Aquamarine

State Mineral

Rhodochrosite

Yule Marble
State Rock

In 2004, Girl Scout Troop 357 of Lakewood petitioned the Legislature to have the Yule Marble designated as the Colorado State Rock. Governor Owens subsequently signed HB04-1023 into law on March 9, 2004. This white marble is comprised of almost pure calcite grains tightly joined to give it a luminous quality. A marble deposit was reported in 1882 in Gunnison County on Yule Creek although a producing quarry did not begin operations there until 1906.

The outstanding quality of the Yule Marble made it the choice for use in the basement of the Colorado Capitol as well as numerous National Monuments in the United States including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Two State Songs

"Where the Columbines Grow"

This song was adopted as the official state song on May 8, 1915. The words were written and the music composed by A.J. Fynn. Traveling by horse and wagon to visit Indian tribes in the San Luis Valley in 1896, Fynn received inspiration to write the song after he came across a beautiful Colorado mountain meadow which was covered with columbines. He dedicated the song to the Colorado pioneers.

To listen to the song, or read the words to the song, click here.

"Rocky Mountain High"
by John Denver (lyrics) and Mike Taylor (music) 1973

This song was adopted as another State Song with the passage of SJR07-023 on March 12, 2007. After the song's release in 1973 there was some controversy as some people thought that it encouraged drug use. Denver, in 1985, responded by saying that these people had obviously never experienced the beauty and wonder of the Rocky Mountains. Denver's real name was Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. but his stage name came from the capital city of Colorado.

To read the lyrics to the song,
click here.

State Dance

The Square Dance was adopted as the official state folk dance on March 16, 1992 by an act of the General Assembly. Square dancing is the American folk dance which traces its ancestry to the English country dance and the French ballroom dance, and which is called, cued, or prompted to the dancers and includes squares, rounds, clogging, contra, line, the Virginia Reel, and heritage dances.

State Fossil

Stegosaurus

Did You Know ...

Colorado has the highest average elevation of any state.

Colorado is larger

than any of the 48 contiguous states

if it could be ironed out flat.

Colorado Fourteeners

In Colorado, 54 mountain peaks reach or exceed the 14,000-foot above sea level height barrier, making it the loftiest state in the U.S. behind only Alaska.

Click here for more information on Colorado's 14ers

A Little Background

Europeans first saw Colorado through the eyes of gold-seeking Spaniards led by conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. It is widely thought he came through southeastern Colorado during his 1540-1541 expedition for gold. It is known the Spanish explored Colorado during the next two and a half centuries, until 1800, when Spain ceded the area to France. The French promptly sold it. As part of the Louisiana Purchase, Colorado was put into the hands of the United States in 1803, became a U.S. Territory in 1861, and a state in 1876.

Through exploration, gold rushes, westward migration, railroads, mining, agriculture, ranching, logging, tourism, commerce, industry and the military, Colorado eventually became widely populated and built up. Today, Colorado is highly rated the world over as one of the best places to live and visit. Ten percent of the population is foreign born. Another large percent migrated from other states.

Most of the population lives along what is known as the Front Range. The Front Range is on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, running north and south through the top half of the state. The western half of the state actually has the mountains and valleys. Beyond the front range to the east is the half of the state that is flat, with high plains flowing into Nebraska and Kansas along the eastern border. Wyoming is to the north, Utah is to the west, and Arizona and New Mexico are south. An area known as Four Corners, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah all touch, is the only place in the United States where four states meet.

If It Is Fun and Done Outdoors

Coloradoans Are Doing It

Skiing; snowboarding; golfing; bicycling; rafting; hiking; climbing; camping; biking; walking; jogging; swimming; exploring; hunting wildlife, fossils and dinosaur bones; fishing; horse-back riding, hang-gliding; hot air ballooning; sightseeing; and on and on.

Colorado has a full roster of pro sports teams, including the Denver Broncos football team and the Colorado Rockies baseball team.

Colorado?s climate, while generalized as cool and dry, is also sunny and warm throughout most of the year.

Elevation and proximity to mountains create a varied mix of biogeographically diverse microclimates with varying degrees of temperature variations and precipitation.

Be sure to keep your cell phones fully charged and with you at all times. This may be your lifeline in case of an emergency.

7 Tips
What To Know Before Venturing
Into The Colorado Outdoors

During the summer, stay alert for quick developing thunderstorms.
Thunderstorms present many hazards for outdoor enthusiasts -- such as frequent lightening, hail, and cold rain. A thunderstorm may drop temperatures as much as 30 degrees.
Wear appropriate footwear.
You never know when you might want to take a quick stroll or snap a photograph.
Always keep a camera handy with enough fully charged batteries.
This is Colorful Colorado.
Rattle snakes are found at elevations below 9,000 feet above sea level.
Another reason to wear appropriate footwear.
Know and understand warning signs of two killers -
Hypothermia and Hyperthermia
Make noise when walking in the backcountry to avoid startling wildlife.
Frightened wildlife may attack in self-defense.
Give wildlife plenty of room. Never approach them.
As far as they know, you are a predator.

Higher Altitudes

Different Results

If you live outside of Colorado, you will find most of Colorado is a higher altitude than where you live. Even if you live in Colorado, going to higher altitudes will have an affect on you.

The higher the altitude, the greater the affect of alcohol. It will sneak up on you much quicker. The after affects are greater as well.
You are much closer to the sun. The air temperature may not be as hot, but the sun will burn much quicker with greater damage, including on overcast days. Wear sunglasses with both UVA and UVB protection. Wear sunscreen with a high SPF protection of at least 30.
Drink plenty of water.

Adjusting to High Altitude

You may experience symptoms related to altitude sickness until your body adjusts to the lower air pressure. The following steps can help you prevent or reduce the effect of high altitude until your body adjusts to the climate.

Stay hydrated. Fluid loss often accompanies the acclimatization process, so drink three to four quarts of water per day to remain properly hydrated.
Don't overexert yourself. Light activity during the day is better than sleeping because respiration decreases during sleep, exacerbating symptoms of altitude sickness.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol acts as a depressant to depress respiration during sleep. In addition, tobacco products may decrease lung capacity.
Eat a high-carb diet. More than 70 percent of your daily calories should come from complex carbohydrates such as starches.

High Altitude Health Tips

High Altitude Can Be Stressful On The Body

The reduction in oxygen can cause:

Fatigue
Loss of appetite

Headache
Nausea

Shortness of breath
Difficulty sleeping

The following tips may help alleviate "altitude sickness":

Keep exertion to a minimum
Limit alcohol intake

Eat high carbohydrate foods
Limit salt intake

Get plenty of sleep
Drink plenty of fluids

What To Wear

Summer

Dress in light layers so you can remove clothing as temperatures change throughout the day. Remember, a thunderstorm may drop temperatures as much as 30 degrees.

Short-sleeved shirts
Shorts or light pants
Light jacket/windbreaker
Sweatshirt
Hiking shoes/boots
Hat
Sunglasses

Winter

Dress in layers so you can peel off or add clothing as temperatures and conditions change throughout the day.

Three areas of focus --
Head - Hands - Feet

Winter coat -- layer type is good
Long-sleeve shirt
Long underwear
Warm socks -- avoid cotton
Sweater -- Wool
Snow pants for winter activities in the snow
Water-proof footwear
Warm hat
Gloves or mittens

Spring - Fall

There are wide temperature changes between early morning, during the day, and late afternoon and evening during the spring and fall seasons.

Dressing in layers is once again best.

Long and short sleeve shirts
Medium-weight pants
Warm jacket to light windbreaker
Sweatshirt or sweater
Sneakers or hiking boots
Hat
Gloves or mittens

Alert

Please make yourself very aware of two conditions
that can quickly cause death
any time of the year.

Hypothermia is a condition in which an organism's temperature drops below that required for normal metabolism and bodily functions. In warm-blooded animals, core body temperature is maintained near a constant level through biologic homeostasis. But when the body is exposed to cold its internal mechanisms may be unable to replenish the heat that is being lost to the organism's surroundings.

This condition can unexpectedly occur on a summer hike in the mountains. If you get caught in a summer shower and get wet, hypothermia can easily and quickly occur. Be very aware of your physical conditions and the conditions of others. Click here to learn more.

Hypothermia is the opposite of hyperthermia, the condition which causes heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Hyperthermia, in its advanced state referred to as heat stroke or sunstroke, is an acute condition which occurs when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. It is usually due to excessive exposure to heat. The heat-regulating mechanisms of the body eventually become overwhelmed and unable to effectively deal with the heat, therefore the body temperature climbs uncontrollably. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Click here to learn more.

Top of Page

The Continental Divide

The Continental Divide is a dividing line stretching from northwestern Canada along the crest of the Rocky Mountains to Mexico. The Continental Divide is the line that divides the flow of water between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean. Rain or snow that drains on the east side of the Continental Divide flows toward the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean while precipitation on the west side drains and flows toward the Pacific Ocean.

Colorado is the birthplace of many great rivers. For example, the melting snow on the west side of Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is actually the headwaters of the Colorado River. Eventually, the trickling stream here will help carve the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Similarly, the small streams on the east side of the Continental Divide high in the San Juan Mountains west of the San Luis Valley will someday form the border between the United States and Mexico as the mighty Rio Grande River.

Rio Grande National Forest

There are more than 3 million acres of public land in this area with an abundance of recreation including snow skiing, boating, fishing, hunting, thousands of miles of mountain roads and trails for 4x4, 4-wheelers, motorcycles, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and hiking.

The national forest area is also the headwaters for the Rio Grande River.

Colorado Division of Wildlife

Fishing and hunting information in Colorado, including seasons and license fees.

The web site includes information about the many various types of wildlife. You will also find information on how to coexist with the Colorado wildlife, some do's and don'ts.

Buy
Fishing - Hunting Licenses
Online

Colorado State Forest Service

Buy tree seedlings for your Colorado property, obtain information about Colorado forests, wildfire prevention, information on the types of trees and vegetation you have and to plant on your property.

You can also get answers to questions regarding trees and vegetation on your land.

Colorado State Parks

Attracting over 11 million visitors per year, Colorado's 41 State Parks offer some of the highest quality outdoor recreation destinations in the state.