Colorado Facts

Year Colorado Became a State:
1876

Nickname:
The Centennial

State Capital:
Denver

Time Zone:
Mountain Standard

Population (2007):
4,861,515 (ranks 22nd in U.S.)

Land Area:
103,717.5 sq. miles (8th largest state in land area)

Highest Point:
14,433 ft. – Mt. Elbert

Lowest Elevation:
3,350 ft. – the Arkansas River

Average Altitude:
6,800 ft.

Average Days of Sunshine Per Year Along Colorado’s Front Range:
300

State Flower:
Columbine

State Bird:
Lark Bunting

State Dinosaur:
Stegosaurus

Outdoor Treasures Awaiting Discovery in Colorado

Ski Resorts: 26

Fourteeners (14,000’ Mountains): 54

National Parks: (4)*

State Parks: 42

National Forests and National Grasslands: 15

Scenic and Historic Byways: 25

National Monuments and Recreations Areas: 10

Vineyards: 72

Microbreweries : 100

Scenic and Historic Railways: 10
* Mesa Verde National Park; Rocky Mountain National Park; Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park; Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Colorado Fun Facts: Highest, Tallest, Longest, Largest, and Oldest

  • The world’s largest flat-top mountain is in Grand Mesa.
  • Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous U.S. highway, leaves Rocky Mountain National Park on the east and soars to 12,183 feet as it crosses the Continental Divide to the Western Slope.
  • The highest paved road in North America is the road to Mt. Evans off of I-70 from Idaho Springs. The road climbs up to 14,258 feet above sea level.
  • Colorado has more microbreweries per capita than any other state.
  • The Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel between Clear Creek & Summit counties is the highest auto tunnel in the world. Bored at an elevation of 11,000 feet under the Continental Divide, it is 8,960 feet long.
  • Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the United States at 10,430 feet elevation. Because there were many “silver” named towns at the time, the founding fathers suggested Leadville.
  • The tallest sand dunes in America are in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve outside of Alamosa in south central Colorado. This 149,512-acre landscape of 8,000-foot sand peaks was created by ocean waters and wind more than one million years ago.
  • Colorado is home to 54 14,000-ft mountain peaks, more than any other state in the United States.
  • Colorado has the highest mean altitude of all the states.
  • The Kit Carson County Carousel in Burlington dates back to 1905, making it the oldest wooden merry-go-round in the United States. It is the only wooden carousel in America that still has its original paint.
  • The highest suspension bridge in the world is over the Royal Gorge near Canon City. The Royal Gorge Bridge spans the Arkansas River at a height of 1,053 feet.
  • The world’s largest natural hot springs pool is located in Glenwood Springs. The two-block long pool is across the street from the historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite stop of former president Teddy Roosevelt.
  • The highest point in Colorado is Mount Elbert at 14,442 feet.
  • The oldest existing Colorado town, San Luis (in south central Colorado), was founded in 1851.
  • A golf ball flies on average ten percent farther in Colorado than other states because of the altitude. It flies even farther at higher altitudes (above 7,000 feet).
  • There are canyons deeper and narrower than the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, but no other canyon in North America combines this gorge’s depth with its width.
  • Grand Lake, on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park, is the largest natural lake in the state.

Firsts

  • Deep in the mountains of southwestern Colorado, Ouray is home to the world’s first park devoted exclusively to the sport of ice climbing. The park opened in 1995.
  • The World’s First Rodeo was held on July 4th, 1869 in Deer Trail.