Colorado
State abbreviation/Postal code: Colo./CO Governor: John Hickenlooper, D (to Jan. 2019) Lieut. Governor: Donna Lynne, D (to Jan. 2019) Senators: Michael Farrand Bennet, D (to Jan. 2023); Cory Gardner, R (to Jan. 2019) Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of State: Wayne Williams, R (to Jan. 2019) Treasurer: Walker Stapleton, R (to Jan. 2019) Atty. General: Cynthia Coffman, R (to Jan. 2019) Organized as territory: Feb. 28, 1861 Entered Union (rank): Aug. 1, 1876 (38) Present constitution adopted: 1876 Motto: Nil sine Numine (Nothing without Providence)
Nickname: Centennial State Origin of name: From the Spanish, “ruddy” or “red” 10 largest cities (2014): Denver, 634,265; Northeast Jefferson 451,811; Colorado Springs, 431,834; Aurora, 339,030; South Aurora 329,151; West Adams 310,409; Southwest Arapahoe 201,720; Fort Collins, 148,612; Lakewood, 145,516; Thornton, 124,140; Arvada, 109,745 Land area: 103,717 sq mi. (268,627 sq km) Geographic center: In Park Co., 30 mi. NW of Pikes Peak Number of counties: 64 Largest county by population and area: El Paso 645,439 (2012); Las Animas, 4,773 sq mi. State forests: 1 (71,000 ac.) State parks: 44 (160,000 ac.) Residents: Coloradan, Coloradoan 2015 resident population: 5,456,574 2010 resident census population (rank): 5,029,196 (22). Male: 2,520,662; Female: 2,508,534. White: 4,089,202 (81.3%); Black: 201,737 (4.0%); American Indian: 56,010 (1.1%); Asian: 139,028 (2.8%); Other race: 364,140 (7.2%); Two or more races: 172,456 (3.4%); Hispanic/Latino: 1,038,687 (20.7%). 2010 population 18 and over: 3,803,587; 65 and over: 549,625; median age: 35.7. |
First visited by Spanish explorers in the 1500s, the territory was claimed for Spain by Juan de Ulibarri in 1706. The U.S. obtained eastern Colorado as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the central portion in 1845 with the admission of Texas as a state, and the western part in 1848 as a result of the Mexican War.
Colorado has the highest mean elevation of any state, with more than 1,000 Rocky Mountain peaks over 10,000 ft high and 54 towering above 14,000 ft. Pikes Peak, the most famous of these mountains, was discovered by U.S. Army lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike in 1806.
Once primarily a mining and agricultural state, Colorado's economy is now driven by the service industries, including medical providers and other business and professional services. Colorado's economy also has a strong manufacturing base. The primary manufactures are food products, printing and publishing, machinery, and electrical instruments. The state is also a communications and transportation hub for the Rocky Mountain region.
The farm industry, which is primarily concentrated in livestock, is also an important element of the state's economy. The primary crops in Colorado are corn, hay, and wheat.
Breathtaking scenery and world-class skiing make Colorado a prime tourist destination. The main tourist attractions in the state include Rocky Mountain National Park, Curecanti National Recreation Area, Mesa Verde National Park, the Great Sand Dunes and Dinosaur National Monuments, Colorado National Monument, and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument.
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Encyclopedia: Colorado
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Selected famous natives and residents:
- Tim Allen actor and comedian;
- William E. Barrett writer;
- William Bent fur trader and pioneer;
- Charles F. Brannan lawyer and public official;
- Ben Nighthorse Campbell American Indian congressman;
- M. Scott Carpenter astronaut;
- Lon Chaney actor;
- Mary Coyle Chase playwright;
- Jack Dempsey boxer;
- Ralph Edwards entertainer;
- John Evans physician, educator;
- Douglas Fairbanks actor;
- John Thomas Fante writer;
- Eugene Fodor violinist;
- Gene Fowler writer;
- Erick Hawkins choreographer;
- Helen Hunt Jackson novelist and Indian rights activist;
- Homer Lea soldier, writer;
- Willard Libby Nobel Prize winner, chemistry;
- Ted Mack TV host;
- Jaye P. Morgan singer;
- Peg Murray actress;
- Ouray Ute Indian chief;
- Anne Parrish writer;
- Barbara Rush actress;
- Horace A. Tabor silver king and lieut. governor;
- Lowell Thomas commentator and author;
- Dalton Trumbo screenwriter, novelist;
- Amy Van Dyken athlete;
- Byron R. White jurist;
- Paul Whiteman conductor;
- Don Wilson announcer.
