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Spirit of Colorado Experience Something
Majestic |
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Sunny Blue Skies
Unrivaled Scenery
Down-to-Earth Charm
Endless Adventures |
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Click on Map for Larger Map |
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State Nickname
The Centennial State |
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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. |
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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
- The most mountains higher than 14,000 feet
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| Colorado means "colored red" in Spanish. The
Spaniards are credited with naming the state. |
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State Moto
Nil Sine Numine |
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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".
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The name of
Colorado came from the Spanish
word "colorado" which means
"reddish". The state is
famous for the Rocky Mountains,
where the highest peaks of the
range exist. 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. |
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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 is Mount Elbert, in
Colorado, which is 14,433 feet
above sea level. |
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State Flag
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Colorado State Seal
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Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep
State Animal
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Lark Bunting
State Bird
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Greenback Cutthroat Trout
State Fish
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Colorado Blue Spruce
State Tree
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Columbine
State Flower
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Blue Grama
State Grass
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Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly
State Insect
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Aquamarine
State Gem
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Rhodochrosite
State Mineral
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Yule
Marble
State Rock |
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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. |
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There are two State Songs |
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"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.
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"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.
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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.
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Stegosaurus
State Fossil
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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.
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Colorado Fourteeners |
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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.
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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.
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| 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. If it is fun and done
outdoors, Coloradoans are doing
it. |
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Colorado has a full
roster of pro sports teams, including the
Denver Broncos football team and the
Colorado Rockies baseball team. |
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| 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. |
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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.
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During the summer, be aware
thunderstorms with frequent lightening develop
quickly and then move on.
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Wear appropriate footwear. You
never know when you might want to take a quick
stroll or snap a photograph.
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Always keep a camera handy. This
is Colorful Colorado.
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Do you have enough batteries or
are they fully charged?
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Be aware of two killers -
Hypothermia
and
Hyperthermia.
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HAVE FUN!
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Higher
Altitudes -- Different Results
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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Drink plenty of water.
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Adjusting to High Altitude |
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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.
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High Altitude Health
Tips
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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 |
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What To Wear
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Summer
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During the 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.
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Winter
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During the winter, dress in layers
(wool sweaters, long-sleeve shirts, jeans, wool pants,
gloves/mittens, light scarf, hat, waterproof shoes)
so you can peel off or add clothing as temperatures
change throughout the day.
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Spring & Fall
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There are wide temperature
changes between early morning and during the day during
the spring and fall seasons.
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Light pants
- Warm jacket to light windbreaker
- Sweatshirt or sweater
- Sneakers or hiking boots
- Hat
- Gloves or mittens
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Alert
Please
make yourself very aware
of two conditions that
can cause death.
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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.
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Top of Page |
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The Continental Divide
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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.
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Rio Grande National Forest |
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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. |
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Colorado Division of Wildlife |
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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.
Online Fishing and Hunting Licenses |
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Colorado State Forest Service |
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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.
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Colorado State Parks |
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Attracting over 11 million visitors per year, Colorado's
41 State Parks offer some of the highest quality outdoor
recreation destinations in the state. |
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COLORADO WEBSITES |
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The following are some websites that
provide a wide range of information about Colorado.
Colorado Government:
colorado.gov
Colorado General Info:
colorado.com
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