Colorado

The state of Colorado is one of the most popular travel destinations in the United States. From the soaring Rocky Mountains to the undiscovered plains, it is a state like no other.

Quick Facts about Colorado

Population: 5.8 million
Size: 104,185 square miles
Capital: Denver
Major cities: Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Boulder, Pueblo, Grand Junction
Interesting note: The federal government owns more than a third of all the land in Colorado as part of national parks as well as national forests, grasslands, monuments, and even Bureau of Land Management lands.

Brief History

Numerous Native American tribes called the mountains and plains home going back to 8700 BCE. Their homes and culture had a profound impact on all of the settlers who would follow.

Most people visiting Colorado today wouldn’t think that the state has a profoundly Hispanic origin. The original Europeans to the area were from Spain, coming up from Santa Fe.

The state came into the United States through the Louisiana Purchase (from France) and after a brief war with Mexico ending in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Territory of Colorado would become the State of Colorado in 1876, earning it the nickname of the Bicentennial State.

In 1850, gold would be discovered in Arvada, Colorado, just a few short miles from Denver. Mineral exploration would shape the future of the state for over 150 years.

However, the state’s natural beauty would eventually be recognized and appreciated far beyond its natural resources.

Planning a Trip

The majority of the state’s population (and most of its cultural attractions) can be found in a thin ribbon within 20 miles to the east of the Rocky Mountains. From Fort Collins in the north, extending south trough Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs and ending in Pueblo, this is where you’ll find museums, universities and other attractions. To locals, this area is commonly called the Foothills.

To the east, of the Foothills are the Eastern Plains. Vast stretches of farmland, grasslands and empty space heading east.

Up the spine of Colorado is the impressive Rocky Mountains. These purple mountains majesty stretch the length of the state and are home to all the outdoor activities you could possibly imagine: skiing, hunting, hiking, fishing, whitewater rafting, and about a million more.

To the west of the Rocky Mountains is the Western Slope. This area is a combination of mesas, irrigated valleys and vast open spaces that are sparsely inhabited.

Articles about Colorado