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{{About|the U.S. state of Colorado|the former U.S. territory|Colorado Territory|the river|Colorado River|the physiographic region|Colorado Plateau|other uses}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox U.S. state
|Name = Colorado
|Fullname = State of Colorado
|Flag = Flag of Colorado.svg
|Flaglink = [[Flag of Colorado|Flag]]
|Seal = Seal of Colorado.svg
|Map = Colorado in United States.svg
|Nickname = [[List of U.S. state nicknames|The Centennial State]]
|Motto = [[Nil sine numine]]<br/>(Nothing without providence)
|Former = Territory of Colorado
|Capital = [[Denver]]
|LargestCity = capital
|LargestMetro = [[Denver-Aurora-Broomfield MSA]]
|Governor = [[John Hickenlooper]] ([[Democratic Party of the United States|D]])
|Lieutenant Governor = [[Joseph A. Garcia]] (D)
|Legislature = [[Colorado General Assembly|General Assembly]]
|Upperhouse = [[Colorado Senate|Senate]]
|Lowerhouse = [[Colorado House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
|Senators = [[United States Senate Class 2|2]] – [[Mark Udall]] (D) <br />[[United States Senate Class 3|3]] – [[Michael Bennet]] (D)
|Representative=4 [[Republican Party of the United States|Republicans]] and 3 [[Democratic Party of the United States|Democrats]]
|PostalAbbreviation = CO
|TradAbbreviation = Colo.
|AreaRank = 8th
|TotalArea = 269,837
|TotalAreaUS = 104,094
|LandArea = 268,875
|LandAreaUS = 103,718
|WaterArea = 962
|WaterAreaUS = 376
|PCWater = 0.36%
|PopRank = 22nd
|2000Pop = 5,116,796 (2011 estimate)<ref name=PopEstUS/>
|Demonym = Coloradan or Coloradoan (archaic)
|DensityRank = 37th
|2000Density = 19.0 <!-- = Population/LandArea -->
|2000DensityUS = 49.3 <!-- = Population/LandAreaUS -->
|MedianHouseholdIncome = $56,993
|IncomeRank = 13th
|AdmittanceOrder = 38th State
|AdmittanceDate = August 1, 1876
|TimeZone = [[Mountain Standard Time|MST]]=UTC-07, [[Mountain Daylight Time|MDT]]=UTC-06
|Latitude = 37°N to 41°N
|Longitude = 102°03'W to 109°03'W
|Width = 612
|WidthUS = 380
|Length = 451
|LengthUS = 280
|HighestPoint = [[Mount Elbert]]<ref name=Mount_Elbert>{{cite ngs|id=KL0637|designation=Mount Elbert|accessdate=October 20, 2011}}</ref><ref name=USGS>{{cite web|url=http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html|title=Elevations and Distances in the United States|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|year=2001|accessdate=October 21, 2011}}</ref><ref name=NAVD88>Elevation adjusted to [[North American Vertical Datum of 1988]].</ref><ref>The summit of [[Mount Elbert]] is the highest point of the [[Rocky Mountains]] of North America.</ref>
|HighestElev = 4401.2
|HighestElevUS = 14,440
|MeanElev = 2070
|MeanElevUS = 6,800
|LowestPoint = [[Arikaree River]]<ref name=USGS/><ref name=NAVD88/>
|LowestElev = 1011
|LowestElevUS = 3,316
|ISOCode = US-CO
|Website = www.colorado.gov
}}
'''Colorado''' (pronounced {{IPAc-en|audio=ColoradanColorado.ogg|k|ɒ|l|ə|ˈ|r|æ|d|oʊ}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colorado?show=0&t=1307303426 |title=Colorado – Definition|publisher=Merriam-webster.com |date=August 13, 2010 |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref> is a US state that encompasses most of the [[Southern Rocky Mountains]] as well as the northeastern portion of the [[Colorado Plateau]] and the western edge of the [[Great Plains]]. Colorado is part of the Western United States, Southwestern United States, and the [[Mountain States]]. Colorado is the [[List of U.S. states and territories by area|8th most extensive]] and the [[List of U.S. states and territories by population|22nd most populous]] of the [[50 United States]].

The state was named for the [[Colorado River]], which early Spanish explorers named the ''Río Colorado'' for the red colored ({{lang-es|link=no|colorado}}) silt the river carried from the mountains. On August 1, 1876, U.S. President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] signed a proclamation admitting Colorado as the 38th state. Colorado is nicknamed the "[[List of U.S. state nicknames|Centennial State]]" because it was admitted to the [[United States|Union]] in 1876, the [[century|centennial year]] of the [[United States Declaration of Independence]].

Colorado is bordered by the [[Northwestern United States|northwest]] state of [[Wyoming]] to the north, the [[Midwestern United States|midwest]] states of [[Nebraska]] and [[Kansas]] to the northeast and east, on the south by [[New Mexico]] and a small portion of the [[Southern United States|southern]] state of [[Oklahoma]], and on the west by [[Utah]]. The four states of Colorado, [[New Mexico]], [[Arizona]], and [[Utah]] meet at one common point known as the [[Four Corners]], which is known as the heart of the [[Southwestern United States|American Southwest]]. Colorado is one of only three U.S. states with no [[natural border]]s, the others being neighboring [[Wyoming]] and [[Utah]]. Colorado is noted for its vivid landscape of mountains, forests, [[High Plains (United States)|high plains]], [[mesa]]s, [[canyon]]s, [[plateau]]s, rivers, and [[Desert|desert lands]].

[[Denver]] is the capital and the [[Colorado municipalities by population|most populous city]] of Colorado. Residents of the state are properly known as "[[List of demonyms for U.S. states|Coloradans]]", although the archaic term "Coloradoan" is still used.<ref name=statestyle>[http://ccs.colostate.edu/style_guide/style_guide_az.aspx#state_names Writers Style Guide], Colorado State University. Retrieved January 19, 2009.</ref><ref name=Coloradan>{{cite news|last=Quillen |first=Ed |url=http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_5447358 |title=Coloradoan or Coloradan |work=Denver Post |date=March 18, 2007 |accessdate=July 30, 2010}}</ref>

==Geography==
The borders of Colorado were originally defined to be lines of latitude and longitude, making its shape a latitude-longitude* quadrangle which stretches from [[37th parallel north|37°N]] to [[41st parallel north|41°N]] latitude and from [[25th meridian west from Washington|102°03'W]] to [[32nd meridian west from Washington|109°03'W]] longitude ([[25th meridian west from Washington|25°W]] to [[32nd meridian west from Washington|32°W]] from the [[Washington Meridian]]).<ref name=Colorado_Enabling_Act/> Colorado, [[Wyoming]] and [[Utah]] are the only states which have boundaries defined solely by lines of latitude and longitude. When placing the border markers for the [[Territory of Colorado]], minor [[surveying]] errors resulted in several <!-- nearly imperceptible -->small kinks, most notably along the [http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=38.258671,-108.873138&spn=0.731113,1.235962&z=10 border] with the [[Territory of Utah]]. Once agreed upon by the federal, state, and territorial governments, those [[benchmark (surveying)|surveyors' benchmarks]], became the legal boundaries for the Colorado Territory, kinks and all.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maa.org/mathtourist/mathtourist_08_30_07.html |title=Rectangular States and Kinky Borders |publisher=Maa.org |date=August 30, 2007 |accessdate=July 30, 2010}}</ref>

===Mountains===
[[File:Tenmile Fletcher Group.jpg|thumb|left|[[Tenmile Range]] near [[Leadville, Colorado]]]]
The summit of [[Mount Elbert]] at {{convert|14440|ft|0}} in elevation in [[Lake County, CO|Lake County]] is the highest point of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains.<ref name=Mount_Elbert/> Colorado is the only U.S. state that lies entirely above {{convert|1000|m|0|sp=us}} elevation. The point where the [[Arikaree River]] flows out of [[Yuma County, Colorado]], and into [[Cheyenne County, Kansas]], is the lowest point in Colorado at {{convert|3317|ft|0}} elevation. This point holds the distinction of being the highest low elevation point of any state.<ref name=USGS>{{cite web| date = April 29, 2005 | url = http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest| title = Elevations and Distances in the United States| publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| accessdate =October 19, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=U.S. Geological Survey |title=Elevations and Distances |url=http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest |accessdate=September 8, 2006}}</ref>
[[File:Tenmile.JPG|thumb|right|Mountains near [[Breckenridge, Colorado]].]]

===Plains===
A little over one third of the area of Colorado is flat and rolling land. East of the Rocky Mountains are the [[Colorado Eastern Plains]] of the [[High Plains (United States)|High Plains]], the section of the Great Plains within Colorado at elevations ranging from roughly {{convert|3350|to|7360|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summitpost.org/colorado-county-highpoints/532245|title=Colorado County Highpoints|accessdate=February 27, 2012}}</ref> The Colorado plains are usually thought of as [[prairie]]s, but actually they have many patches of [[deciduous forests]], [[butte]]s, and [[canyons]], much like the high plains in New Mexico as well. Eastern Colorado is presently mainly covered in farmland, along with small farming villages and towns. [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]] is fair, averaging from {{convert|15|to|25|in|mm}} annually.<ref name=ccc>{{cite web|url=http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/climateofcolorado.php|title=Climate of Colorado |last=Doesken|first=Nolan J.|coauthors=[[Roger A. Pielke]], Sr., Odilia A.P. Bliss |date=January 2003|publisher=Colorado Climate Center – Department of Atmospheric Science – [[Colorado State University]]|accessdate=January 25, 2009}}</ref> The summers in the plains are normally hot and dry, while the winters are often quite cold, snowy, and icy. [[maize|Corn]], wheat, [[hay]], [[soybeans]], and [[oats]] are all typical crops, and most of the villages and towns in this region boast both a [[water tower]] and a [[grain elevator]]. As well as the farming of crops, Eastern Colorado has a good deal of livestock raising, such as at cattle ranches and [[Intensive pig farming|hog farm]]s and [[irrigation]] water is available from the South Platte, the Arkansas River, and a few other streams, and also from subterranean sources, including [[artesian well]]s. However, heavy use of ground water from wells for irrigation has caused underground water reserves to decline.

===Front range===
[[File:Co mount.JPG|thumb|Front Range Peaks west of Denver]]
Most of Colorado's population resides along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains in the [[Front Range Urban Corridor]] between [[Cheyenne, Wyoming]], and [[Pueblo, Colorado]]. This region is partially protected from prevailing storms that blow in from the Pacific Ocean region by the high Rockies in the middle of Colorado. The only other significant population centers are at [[Grand Junction, Colorado|Grand Junction]] and [[Durango, CO|Durango]] in far western Colorado.

===Continental Divide===
[[File:LovelandPass CMM.jpg|thumb|left|upright|The [[Continental Divide]] dips down to {{convert|11990|ft|m|0|sp=us}} at [[Loveland Pass]].]]
[[File:Sand Dunes CO.JPG|thumb|The tallest sand dunes in North America in [[Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve]] in southern Colorado.]]
[[File:Mountains of Colorado.jpg|thumb|left|View from near the summit of [[Mount Belford]] near the Continental Divide.]]

The [[Continental Divide]] extends along the crest of the Rocky Mountains. The area of Colorado to the west of the Continental Divide is called the [[Colorado Western Slope|Western Slope of Colorado]]. Drainage water west of the Continental Divide flows to the southwest via the [[Colorado River (U.S.)|Colorado River]] and the [[Green River (Utah)|Green River]] into the [[Gulf of California]].

Within the interior of the Rocky Mountains are several large so-called "parks" or high broad basins. In the north, on the east side of the Continental Divide is the [[North Park (Colorado basin)|North Park of Colorado]]. The North Park is drained by the [[North Platte River]], which flows north into Wyoming and Nebraska. Just to the south of North Park, but on the western side of the Continental Divide, is the [[Middle Park (Colorado basin)|Middle Park of Colorado]], which is drained by the Colorado River. The [[South Park (Colorado basin)|South Park of Colorado]] is the region of the [[headwater]]s of the South Platte River.

===Southern region===
In southmost Colorado is the large [[San Luis Valley]], where the headwaters of the [[Rio Grande]] are located. The valley sits between the [[Sangre De Cristo Mountains]] and [[San Juan Mountains]], and consists of large desert lands that eventually run into the mountains. The Rio Grande drains due south into New Mexico, Mexico, and Texas. Across the [[Sangre de Cristo Range]] to the east of the San Luis Valley lies the [[Wet Mountain Valley]]. These basins, particularly the San Luis Valley, lie along the [[Rio Grande Rift]], a major [[geological formation]] of the Rocky Mountains, and its branches.

===Peaks===
[[File:Mount Elbert2.JPG|thumb|[[Mount Elbert]] is the tallest peak in Colorado, and the Rocky Mountains.]]
[[File:Longs.jpg|thumb|left|[[Longs Peak]] in the [[Front Range]] is the tallest peak in [[Rocky Mountain National Park]].]]
To the west of Great Plains of Colorado rises the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. Notable peaks of the Rocky Mountains include [[Longs Peak]], [[Mount Evans]], [[Pikes Peak]], and the [[Spanish Peaks]] near [[Walsenburg, Colorado|Walsenburg]], in southern Colorado. This area drains to the east and the southeast, ultimately either via the [[Mississippi River]] or the [[Rio Grande]] into the [[Gulf of Mexico]].

The Rocky Mountains within Colorado contain about 54 peaks that are {{convert|14000|ft|m|0|sp=us}} or higher in elevation above sea level, known as [[Colorado fourteeners|fourteeners]].<ref>{{cite web |author=U.S. Forest Service |title=Rocky Mountain Region 14ers |url=http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/recreation/14ers/ |accessdate=November 6, 2009}}</ref> These mountains are largely covered with trees such as [[conifer]]s and [[aspen]]s up to the [[tree line]], at an elevation of about {{convert|12140|ft|m|0|sp=us}} in southern Colorado to about {{convert|10500|ft|m|0|sp=us}} in northern Colorado. Above this only alpine vegetation grows. Only small parts of the Colorado Rockies are snow-covered year round. Much of the alpine snow melts by mid-August with the exception of a few snowcapped peaks and a few small glaciers. The [[Colorado Mineral Belt]], stretching from the [[San Juan Mountains]] in the southwest to [[Boulder, CO|Boulder]] and [[Central City, CO|Central City]] on the front range, contains most of the historic gold- and silver-mining districts of Colorado. [[Mount Elbert]] is the highest summit of the [[Rocky Mountains]]. The 30 [[Highest mountain peaks of the Rocky Mountains|highest major summits]] of the [[Rocky Mountains]] of North America all lie within the state.

===Western slope===
<center>
[[File:Grand Mesa and Mt. Garfield.jpg|thumb|left|700px|[[Grand Mesa]] of the Western Slope is the largest mesa in the world]]</center>{{clear}}
The Western Slope of Colorado is drained by the Colorado River and its tributaries (primarily the [[Green River (Utah)|Green River]] and the [[San Juan River (California)|San Juan River]]), or by evaporation in its arid areas. Prominent in the southwestern area of the Western Slope is the [[Grand Mesa]] and the high San Juan Mountains, a rugged mountain range, and to the west of the San Juan Mountains, the [[Colorado Plateau]], a high arid region that borders Southern Utah. The city of [[Grand Junction, Colorado]], is the largest city on the Western Slope, Grand Junction and Durango are the only major centers of radio and [[television broadcasting]], newspapers, and higher education on the Western Slope. The [[Mesa State College]] in Grand Junction, Western State College in Gunnison, and Fort Lewis College in Durango are the only four-year colleges in Colorado west of the [[Continental Divide]].

[[File:Glennwood.JPG|thumb|right|Canyon walls near [[Glenwood Springs, Colorado]].]]
Grand Junction is located along [[Interstate 70 in Colorado|Interstate 70]], the only major highway of Western Colorado. Grand Junction is also along the major railroad of the Western Slope, the [[Union Pacific]], which also provides the tracks for [[Amtrak]]'s [[California Zephyr]] passenger train, which crosses the Rocky Mountains between Denver and Grand Junction via a route on which there are no continuous highways.
[[File:Lake CO.JPG|thumb|left|[[Hanging Lake]] near [[Glenwood Springs, Colorado]].]]

To the southeast of Grand Junction is the [[Grand Mesa]], said to be the world's largest flat-topped mountain. Other towns of the Western Slope include [[Glenwood Springs, CO|Glenwood Springs]] with its resort hot springs, and the [[ski resort]]s of [[Aspen, CO|Aspen]], [[Breckenridge, CO|Breckenridge]], [[Vail, CO|Vail]], [[Crested Butte, CO|Crested Butte]], [[Steamboat Springs, CO|Steamboat Springs]], and [[Telluride, CO|Telluride]].

The northwestern corner of Colorado is a sparsely-populated region, and it contains part of the noted [[Dinosaur National Monument]], which is not only a [[paleontology|paleontological]] area, but is also a scenic area of high, rocky hills, canyons, and streambeads. Here, the Green River briefly crosses over into Colorado.

[[File:DNM Morrison.jpg|thumb|[[Dinosaur National Monument]]]]
From west to east, the land of Colorado consists of desert lands and desert plateaus, then alpine mountains with National Forests, then some scattered desert land in the southern mountain areas in the state, and then the relatively-flat grasslands and scattered forests of the [[Great Plains]]. The famous [[Pikes Peak]] is located just west of [[Colorado Springs, CO|Colorado Springs]]. Its isolated peak is visible from nearly the Kansas border on clear days, and also far to the north and the south.<ref>{{cite peakbagger |pid=5689 |name=Pikes Peak, Colorado |accessdate=October 10, 2009}}</ref> The desert lands in Colorado are located in and around areas such as, the [[Royal Gorge]], [[Pueblo, Colorado|Pueblo]], [[Canon City, Colorado|Canon City]], [[Florence, Colorado|Florence]], [[Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve]], [[San Luis Valley]], [[Cortez, Colorado|Cortez]], [[Canyon of the Ancients National Monument]], [[Hovenweep National Monument]], [[Ute Mountain]], [[Delta, Colorado|Delta]], [[Grand Junction, Colorado|Grand Junction]], [[Colorado National Monument]], [[Roan Plateau]], and other areas surrounding the [[Uncompahgre Plateau]] and [[Uncompahgre National Forest]].

Colorado is one of four states in the United States that share a common geographic point the [[Four Corners]], together with Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. At this intersection, it is possible to stand in four states at once.

{{See also|Colorado cities and towns|Colorado counties|Colorado municipalities|Colorado rivers|Four Corners Monument}}

== Climate ==
[[File:Bearlakeinspring2.jpg|thumb|Spring melt at [[Bear Lake (Colorado)|Bear Lake]] in [[Rocky Mountain National Park]].]]
The [[climate]] of Colorado is quite complex compared to most of the United States. Unlike in other states, southern Colorado is not necessarily warmer than northern Colorado. Most of Colorado is made up of mountains, foothills, high plains, and desert lands. Mountains and surrounding valleys greatly affect local climate. As a general rule, with an increase in elevation comes a decrease in temperature and an increase in [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]]. Northeast, east, and southeast Colorado are mostly the high plains, while Northern Colorado is a mix of high plains, foothills, and mountains. Northwest and west Colorado are predominantly mountainous, with some desert lands mixed in. Southwest and southern Colorado are a complex mixture of desert and mountain areas.

=== Eastern Plains ===
[[File:PivotWithDrops.JPG|thumb|[[Center pivot irrigation]] of wheat growing in [[Yuma County, CO|Yuma County]].]]

The climate of the Eastern Plains is [[semi-arid climate|semi-arid]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''[[Cold semi-arid climate|''BSk'']]'') with low [[humidity]] and moderate [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]], usually from {{convert|15|to|25|in|mm}} annually. The area is known for its abundant sunshine and cool clear nights, which give this area a great average [[diurnal temperature variation|diurnal temperature range]]. In summer, this area can have many days above {{convert|95|°F|°C|abbr=on}} and sometimes {{convert|100|°F|°C|abbr=on}},.<ref name="Climate of Colorado">[http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/COLORADO.htm DRI.edu] Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved October 24, 2006.</ref> Although {{convert|105|°F|°C|abbr=on}} is the maximum in the front range cities above {{convert|5000|ft|m|abbr=on}}, front range cities sitting just below {{convert|5000|ft|m|abbr=on}} have reached {{convert|112|°F|°C|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Monthly Weather for Greeley">[http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCO0170] Weather. Retrieved November 11, 2011.</ref> In the plains, the winter extremes can be from 0 °F (−18 °C) to {{convert|-10|°F|°C|abbr=on}}. About 75% of the precipitation falls within the growing season, from April to September, but this area is very prone to droughts. Most of the precipitation comes from [[thunderstorm]]s, which are often severe, and from major [[snowstorm]]s that occur most often in the early spring, late autumn, and winter. Otherwise, winters tend to be mostly dry and cold. In much of the region, March and April are the snowiest months. April and May are normally the rainiest months, while April is the wettest month overall. The Front Range cities closer to the mountains tend to be warmer in the winter due to [[chinook wind]]s which warm the area, sometimes bringing temperatures of {{convert|70|°F|°C|abbr=on}} or higher in the winter,.<ref name="Denver-Colorado-United-States-of-America">[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=096427&refer=&cityname=Denver-Colorado-United-States-of-America]</ref> The average July temperature is {{convert|55|°F|°C}} in the morning and close to {{convert|90|°F|°C}} in the afternoon. The average January temperature is {{convert|18|°F|°C}} in the morning and {{convert|45|°F|°C}} in the afternoon, although variation between consecutive days can be 40&nbsp;°F (22&nbsp;°C).<!--this is a temperature difference, so the convert template shouldn't be used here-->

=== West of the plains and foothills ===
[[File:GrandJunctionTrip92007013.jpg|thumb|View of the [[Colorado Western Slope|Western Slope]] from [[Grand Junction, CO|Grand Junction]].]]

West of the plains and foothills, the weather of Colorado is much less uniform. Even places a few miles apart can experience entirely different weather depending on the topography of the area. Most valleys have a semi-arid climate, which becomes an [[alpine climate]] at higher elevations. Humid [[microclimate]]s also exist in some areas. Generally, the wettest season in western Colorado is winter while June is the driest month. This is the opposite of precipitation patterns in the east. The mountains have cool summers with many days of high temperatures around {{convert|60|°F|°C|abbr=on}} to {{convert|70|°F|°C|abbr=on}}, although frequent thunderstorms can cause sudden drops in temperature. Summer nights are cool or even cold at the highest elevations, which sometimes get snow even in the middle of the summer. The winters bring abundant, powdery snowfall to the mountains with plenty of sunshine in between major storms. The western slope has high summer temperatures similar to those found on the plains, while the winters tend to be slightly cooler due to the lack of warming winds common to the plains and Front Range. Other areas in the west have their own unique climate.

=== Extreme weather ===
[[File:October Snow in Colorado.jpg|thumb|Snow highlights the rugged mountains as well as the urban and agricultural landscapes of the Colorado plains.]]

Extreme weather is a common occurrence in Colorado. Thunderstorms are common east of the Continental divide in the spring and summer, and Colorado is one of the leading states in deaths due to [[lightning]]. [[Hail]] is a common sight in the mountains east of the divide and in the northwest part of the state. The Eastern Plains have some of the biggest hail storms in North America.<ref name=ccc/> Also the Eastern Plains are part of [[Tornado Alley]] and produce some of the deadliest U.S. tornadoes. Some damaging tornadoes in the Eastern Plains include the 1990 [[Limon, CO|Limon]] [[Fujita scale|F3]] tornado and the 2008 [[Windsor, CO|Windsor]] [[Enhanced Fujita Scale|EF3]] tornado, which devastated the town.<ref>{{cite web
| last =Slater
| first =Jane
| title =Thursday's Tornado State's 4th Costliest Disaster
| publisher =[[KMGH]]
| date =May 28, 2008
| url =http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/16408116/detail.html }}</ref>
The plains are also susceptible to floods, which are caused both by [[thunderstorm]]s and by the rapid melting of snow in the mountains during warm weather. Denver's record in 1921 for the number of consecutive days above {{convert|90|°F|°C}} was broken during the summer of 2008. The new record of 24 consecutive days surpassed the previous record by almost a week.<ref>{{cite web
| title =Denver's Consecutive 90 Degree Streaks
| publisher =[[National Weather Service]]
| accessdate =October 10, 2009
| url =http://www.crh.noaa.gov/bou/?n=consec90 }}</ref> Much of Colorado is a relatively dry state averaging only {{convert|17|in|mm}} of rain per year statewide and rarely experiences a time when some portion of the state is not in some degree of drought.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ccc.atmos.colostate.edu/pdfs/ahistoryofdrought.pdf |title=A History of Drought |format=PDF |accessdate=July 30, 2010}}</ref> The lack of precipitation contributes to the severity of [[wildfire]]s in the state such as the [[Hayman Fire]], one of the largest wildfires in American history, and the [[Fourmile Canyon#Fourmile Canyon Fire|Fourmile Canyon Fire]] of 2010, the most destructive wildfire in Colorado's recorded history.

However, there are some of the mountainous regions of Colorado which receive a huge amount of moisture via winter snowfalls. The spring melts of these snows often cause great waterflows in such rivers as the [[Yampa River]], the [[Colorado River|Grand River]], the Colorado River, the Rio Grande, the Arkansas River, [[Cherry Creek (Colorado)|Cherry Creek]], the North Platte River, and the South Platte River. Water flowing out of the Colorado Rocky Mountains is a very significant source of water for the farms, towns, and cities of fellow southwest states of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, as well as midwest like Nebraska and Kansas, and also southern states like Oklahoma and Texas. A significant amount of water is also diverted for use in California; occasionally (formerly naturally and consistently) the flow of water reaches northern Mexico.

=== Records ===
The highest temperature recorded in Colorado is {{convert|118|°F|°C|abbr=on}} on July 11, 1888, at [[Bennett, Colorado|Bennett]], whereas the lowest is {{convert|-61|°F|°C|abbr=on}} on February 1, 1985, at [[Maybell, Colorado|Maybell]].<ref name=StateMaxTemps>{{cite web | url = http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pub/data/special/maxtemps.pdf | title = Record Highest Temperatures by State | format = PDF | publisher = [[National Climatic Data Center]] | date = January 1, 2004 | accessdate =January 11, 2007 }}</ref><ref name=StateMinTemps>{{cite web | url = http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pub/data/special/mintemps.pdf | title = Record Lowest Temperatures by State | format = PDF | publisher = [[National Climatic Data Center]] | date = January 1, 2004 | accessdate =January 11, 2007 }}</ref>
<center>
{| class="wikitable" "text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|
|+ Monthly normal high and low temperatures for various Colorado cities (°F)<ref>[http://www.ustravelweather.com/weather-colorado/ UStravelweather.com]{{Dead link|date=July 2010}}</ref>
|-
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000; height:17px;"| City
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Jan
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Feb
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Mar
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Apr
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| May
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Jun
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Jul
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Aug
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Sep
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Oct
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Nov
! style="background:#e5afaa; color:#000;"| Dec
|-
! style="background:#f8f3ca; color:#000; height:16px;"| Alamosa
| style="text-align:center; background:#f8f3ca; color:#000;"| 35/−2
| style="text-align:center; background:#f8f3ca; color:#000;"| 40/6
| style="text-align:center; background:#f8f3ca; color:#000;"| 51/17
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|}
</center>

===Earthquakes===
On August 22, 2011, a 5.3 [[Seismic scale|magnitude]] earthquake occurred nine miles [[Boxing the compass|WSW]] of the city of [[Trinidad, Colorado|Trinidad]].<ref>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Maps/US2/36.38.-106.-104.php</ref> No casualties and only small damage was reported. It was the second largest earthquake in Colorado since a magnitude 5.7 earthquake was recorded in 1973.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-08-23/Largest-Colorado-quake-since-1973-shakes-homes/50102314/1?csp=34news&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-NewsTopStories+%28News+-+Top+Stories%29 |title=Largest Colorado quake since 1973 shakes homes |accessdate=August 23, 2011 | work=USA Today |date=August 23, 2011}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Mesa-Verde---Cliff-Palace-in 1891 - edit1.jpg|thumb|The ruins of the [[Cliff Palace]] at [[Mesa Verde National Park|Mesa Verde]] as photographed by [[Gustaf Nordenskiöld]] in 1891.]]
{{Main|History of Colorado|Timeline of Colorado history}}
The region that is today the state of Colorado has been inhabited by [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] for more than 13,000 years. The [[Lindenmeier Site]] in [[Larimer County, CO|Larimer County]] contains [[artifact (archaeology)|artifacts]] dating from approximately 11200 BCE to 3000 BCE. The eastern edge of the [[Rocky Mountains]] was a [[Human migration|major migration route]] that was important to the spread of early peoples throughout the Americas. The [[Ancient Pueblo Peoples]] lived in the [[valley]]s and [[mesa]]s of the [[Colorado Plateau]].<ref>"[http://news.discovery.com/archaeology/genocide-native-americans-ethnic-cleansing.html Genocide Wiped Out Native American Population ]", Discovery News, September 20, 2010.</ref> The [[Ute Nation]] inhabited the mountain valleys of the [[Southern Rocky Mountains]] and the [[Western Rocky Mountains]]. The [[Arapaho Nation]] and the [[Cheyenne Nation]] moved west to hunt across the [[High Plains (United States)|High Plains]].

The United States acquired a territorial claim to the eastern flank of the Rocky Mountains with the [[Louisiana Purchase]] from France in 1803. This U.S. claim conflicted with the claim of Spain to a huge region surrounding its colony of [[Santa Fé de Nuevo Méjico]] as its [[sovereignty|sovereign]] trading zone with native peoples. [[Zebulon Pike]] led a [[Pike expedition|U.S. Army reconnaissance expedition]] into the disputed region in 1806. Colonel Pike and his men were arrested by Spanish cavalrymen in the [[San Luis Valley]] the following February, taken to [[Chihuahua, Chihuahua|Chihuahua]], and then expelled from Mexico the following July.

[[File:Beol court25.jpg|thumb|[[Bent's Old Fort]] along the [[Arkansas River]] operated from 1833 to 1849.]]
The United States relinquished its claim to all land south and west of the [[Arkansas River]] and south of [[42nd parallel north]] and west of the [[100th meridian west]] as part of its purchase of Florida from Spain with the [[Adams-Onís Treaty]] of 1819. The treaty took effect February 22, 1821. Having settled its border with Spain, the United States admitted the southeastern portion of the [[Territory of Missouri]] to the [[United States|Union]] as the [[state of Missouri]] on August 10, 1821. The remainder of the [[Missouri Territory]], including what would become northeastern Colorado, became unorganized territory, and would remain so for 33 years over the [[Slavery in the United States|question of slavery]]. After 11 years of war, Spain finally recognized the independence of Mexico with the [[Treaty of Córdoba]] signed on August 24, 1821. Mexico eventually ratified the Adams-Onís Treaty in 1831. The [[Texian Revolt]] of 1835–1836 fomented a dispute between the United States and Mexico which eventually erupted into the [[Mexican-American War]] in 1846. Mexico surrendered its northern territory to the United States with the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] at the conclusion of the war in 1848.

Most American [[settler]]s traveling overland west to the [[Oregon Country]], the new goldfields of California, or the new [[Mormon]] settlements of [[State of Deseret|Deseret]] in the [[Salt Lake Valley]], avoided the rugged [[Southern Rocky Mountains]], and instead followed the [[North Platte River]] and [[Sweetwater River (Wyoming)|Sweetwater River]] to [[South Pass]], the lowest crossing of the [[Continental Divide]] between the Southern Rocky Mountains and the Central Rocky Mountains. In 1849, the Mormons of the Salt Lake Valley organized the extralegal [[State of Deseret]], claiming the entire [[Great Basin]] and all lands drained by the [[Green River (Utah)|Green]], [[Colorado River|Grand]], and [[Colorado River|Colorado]] rivers. The federal government of the United States flatly refused to recognize the new Mormon government, because it was [[History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints#Brigham Young's early theocratic leadership|theocratic]] and sanctioned [[Mormonism and polygamy|plural marriage]]. Instead, the [[Compromise of 1850]] divided the [[Mexican Cession]] and the northwestern claims of Texas into a new state and two new territories, the [[state of California]], the [[Territory of New Mexico]], and the [[Territory of Utah]]. On April 9, 1851, [[Mexican American]] settlers from the area of [[Taos, New Mexico|Taos]] settled the village of [[San Luis, Colorado|San Luis]], then in the [[New Mexico Territory]], later to become Colorado's first permanent [[European American|Euro-American]] [[settlement (migration)|settlement]].

In 1854, Senator [[Stephen A. Douglas]] persuaded the [[U.S. Congress]] to divide the unorganized territory east of the [[Continental Divide]] into two new organized territories, the [[Territory of Kansas]] and the [[Territory of Nebraska]], and an unorganized southern region known as the [[Indian territory]]. Each new territory was to decide the fate of slavery within its boundaries, but this compromise merely served to fuel animosity between [[free soil]] and [[Proslavery in the antebellum United States|pro-slavery]] factions.

===Pike's Peak Gold Rush===
[[File:Denver 1859.jpg|thumb|A [[lithograph]] of the [[Denver, CO|Denver City]] mining camp in 1859.]]
Gold was discovered along the [[South Platte River]] then in western [[Kansas Territory]] in July 1858, precipitating the [[Pike's Peak Gold Rush]].<ref name=PikesPeakGold>{{cite web | url = http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Falls/2000/index.html | title = The Pike's Peak Gold Rush | author = Gehling, Richard | publisher = Richard Gehling | year = 2006 | accessdate =June 12, 2007|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080628172253/http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Falls/2000/index.html|archivedate=June 28, 2008}}</ref> The [[placer deposit|placer gold deposits]] along the rivers and streams of the region rapidly played out, but [[prospecting|prospectors]] soon discovered far more valuable seams of [[Underground mining (hard rock)|hard rock]] gold in the nearby mountains.

The gold seekers organized the [[Jefferson Territory|Provisional Government of the Territory of Jefferson]] on August 24, 1859, but this new territory failed to secure approval from the [[Congress of the United States]] embroiled in the debate over slavery. The election of [[Abraham Lincoln]] for the President of the United States on November 6, 1860, led to the [[secession]] of nine southern [[slave states]] and the threat of [[American Civil War|civil war among the states]]. Seeking to augment the political power of the [[free state (United States)|Union states]], the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]] dominated Congress quickly admitted the eastern portion of the [[Territory of Kansas]] into the [[United States|Union]] as the free [[Kansas|State of Kansas]] on January 29, 1861, leaving the western portion of the Kansas Territory, and its gold-mining areas, as unorganized territory.

===Territory act===
[[File:Wpdms kansas nebraska utah territories 1860 idx.png|thumb|left|The territories of [[New Mexico Territory|New Mexico]], [[Utah Territory|Utah]], [[Kansas Territory|Kansas]], and [[Nebraska Territory|Nebraska]] before the creation of the [[Territory of Colorado]].]]
Thirty days later on February 28, 1861, outgoing U.S. President [[James Buchanan]] signed an Act of Congress organizing the [[Free state (United States)|free]] [[Territory of Colorado]].<ref name=ColoradoTerritory>{{cite web | url = http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/territory.pdf | title = An Act to provide a temporary Government for the Territory of Colorado | format = PDF | publisher = [[Thirty-sixth United States Congress]] | date = February 28, 1861 | accessdate =June 12, 2007}}</ref> The original boundaries of Colorado remain unchanged today. The name Colorado was chosen because it was commonly believed that the [[Colorado River]] originated in the territory.<ref name=Colorado_River>Early explorers identified the [[Gunnison River]] in Colorado as the [[headwaters]] of the Colorado River. The [[Colorado River|Grand River]] in Colorado was later tentively identified as the primary headwaters of the river. Finally in 1916, [[E.C. LaRue]], the Chief Hydrologist of the [[United States Geological Survey]], identified the Green River in southwestern Wyoming as the proper headwaters of the actual, overall Colorado River.</ref> In 1776, Spanish priest [[Silvestre Vélez de Escalante]] recorded that [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] in the area knew the river as [[:es:Rio Colorado|''el Rio Colorado'']] for the red-brown silt that the river carried from the mountains.<ref>{{cite web |author=State of Colorado – Division of Information Technologies |url=http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/symbemb.htm#Name|title=State Names and Nicknames |accessdate=November 15, 2006}}</ref> In 1859, a [[U.S. Army]] [[Topography|topographic]] expedition led by Captain [[John Navarre Macomb, Jr.|John Macomb]] located the confluence of the [[Green River (Utah)|Green River]] with the [[Grand River (Colorado)|Grand River]] in what is now [[Canyonlands National Park]] in [[Utah]].<ref name=Macomb>Report of the exploring expedition from Santa Fé, New Mexico, to the junction of the Grand and Green Rivers of the great Colorado of the West, in 1859: under the command of Capt. J. N. Macomb, Corps of topographical engineers, Volume 1 [http://www.archive.org/stream/reportofexplorin00unitrich#page/n5/mode/2up @ archive.org]</ref> The Macomb party designated the confluence as the source of the Colorado River.

On April 12, 1861, [[South Carolina]] artillery opened fire on [[Fort Sumter]] to start the [[American Civil War]]. While many gold seekers held sympathies for the [[Confederate States of America|Confederacy]], the vast majority remained fiercely loyal to the [[Union (American Civil War)|Union]] cause.
[[File:The-Battle-of-Glorieta-Pass.jpg|thumb|The [[Battle of Glorieta Pass]], 1862]]
In 1862, a force of Texas cavalry invaded the [[Territory of New Mexico]] and captured [[Santa Fe, New Mexico|Santa Fe]] on March 10. The object of this [[New Mexico Campaign|Western Campaign]] was to seize or disrupt the gold fields of Colorado and California and to seize ports on the Pacific Ocean for the Confederacy. A hastily organized force of Colorado volunteers force-marched from [[Denver City, Colorado Territory]], to [[Glorieta Pass]], New Mexico Territory, in an attempt to block the Texans. On March 28, the Coloradans and local New Mexico volunteers stopped the Texans at the [[Battle of Glorieta Pass]], destroyed their cannon and supply wagons, and ran off 500 head of their horses and mules. The Texans were forced to retreat to Santa Fe. Having lost the supplies for their campaign and finding little support in New Mexico, the Texans abandoned Santa Fe and returned to [[San Antonio]] in defeat. The Confederacy made no further attempts to seize the Southwestern United States.

In 1864, [[Governor of Colorado|Territorial Governor]] [[John Evans (governor)|John Evans]] appointed the Reverend [[John Chivington]] as Colonel of the Colorado Volunteers with orders to protect white settlers from [[Cheyenne]] and [[Arapaho]] warriors who were accused of stealing cattle. Colonel Chivington ordered his men to attack a band of Cheyenne and Arapaho encamped along [[Sand Creek massacre|Sand Creek]]. Chivington reported that his troops killed more than 500 warriors. The militia returned to Denver City in triumph, but several officers reported that the so called battle was a blatant [[Sand Creek massacre|massacre]] of Indians at peace, that most of the dead were women and children, and that bodies of the dead had been mutilated and desecrated in hideous manner. Three U.S. Army inquiries condemned the action, and incoming [[U.S. President|President]] [[Andrew Johnson]] asked Governor Evans for his resignation, but none of the perpetrators was ever punished.

[[File:Mount of the Holy Cross.jpeg|thumb|[[Mount of the Holy Cross]] was photographed by [[William Henry Jackson]] in 1874]]
In the midst and aftermath of Civil War, many discouraged prospectors returned to their homes, but a determined few stayed on to develop mines, mills, farms, ranches, roads, and towns in the Territory. On September 14, 1864, James Huff discovered silver near [[Argentine Pass]], the first of many silver strikes. In 1867, the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] laid its tracks west to [[Julesburg, Colorado|Weir]], now [[Julesburg, Colorado|Julesburg]], in the northeast corner of the Territory. The Union Pacific linked up with the [[Central Pacific Railroad]] at [[Promontory Summit, Utah]], on May 10, 1869, to form the [[First Transcontinental Railroad]]. The [[Denver Pacific Railway]] reached Denver in June of the following year, and the [[Kansas Pacific]] arrived two months later to forge the second line across the continent. In 1872, rich veins of silver were discovered in the [[San Juan Mountains]] on the [[Ute tribe|Ute Indian]] reservation in southwestern Colorado. The Ute people were removed from the San Juans the following year.

===Statehood===
The [[United States Congress]] passed an enabling act on March 3, 1875, specifying the requirements for the [[Territory of Colorado]] to become a state.<ref name=Colorado_Enabling_Act>{{cite web|url=http://www.i2i.org/Publications/ColoradoConstitution/cnenable.htm|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080507151300/http://www.i2i.org/Publications/ColoradoConstitution/cnenable.htm|archivedate=May 7, 2008|title=An Act to Enable the People of Colorado to Form a Constitution and State Government, and for the Admission of the Said State into the Union on an Equal Footing with the Original States|format=PDF|author=[[Forty-third United States Congress]]|date=March 3, 1875|accessdate=April 14, 2008}}</ref> On August 1, 1876 (28 days after the [[Centennial of the United States]]), U.S. President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] signed a proclamation admitting Colorado to the [[United States|Union]] as the [[U.S. state|38th state]] and earning it the moniker "Centennial State".<ref name=Colorado_Statehood_Proclamation>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=70540|title=Proclamation of the Admission of Colorado to the Union|format=[[php]]|author=President of the United States of America|date=August 1, 1876|publisher=The American Presidency Project|accessdate=April 14, 2008}}</ref>

[[File:Georgetown loop 1899.jpg|thumb|The [[Georgetown Loop]] of the [[Colorado Central Railroad]] as photographed by [[William Henry Jackson]] in 1899]]
The discovery of a major silver lode near [[Leadville, CO|Leadville]] in 1878, triggered the [[Colorado Silver Boom]]. The [[Sherman Silver Purchase Act]] of 1890 invigorated silver mining, and Colorado's last, but greatest, gold strike at [[Cripple Creek, Colorado|Cripple Creek]] a few months later lured a new generation of gold seekers. Colorado women were granted the [[suffrage|right to vote]] beginning on November 7, 1893, making Colorado the second state to grant [[universal suffrage]] and the first one by a [[popular vote]] (of Colorado men). The repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1893 led to a staggering collapse of the mining and agricultural economy of Colorado, but the state slowly and steadily recovered.

Colorado became the first western state to host a major political convention when the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] met in Denver in 1908. By the [[United States Census, 1930|U.S. Census in 1930]], the population of Colorado first exceeded one million residents. Colorado suffered greatly through the [[Great Depression]] and the [[Dust Bowl]] of the 1930s, but a major wave of immigration following World War II boosted Colorado's fortune. Tourism became a mainstay of the state economy, and high technology became an important economic engine. The [[United States Census Bureau]] estimated that the population of Colorado exceeded five million in 2009.

Three [[warship]]s of the [[U.S. Navy]] have been named the USS ''[[USS Colorado|Colorado]]''. The first USS ''Colorado'' was named for the Colorado River. The later two ships were named in honor of the state, including the [[battleship]] USS ''[[USS Colorado (BB-45)|Colorado]]'' which served in [[War in the Pacific|World War II in the Pacific]] beginning in 1941. At the time of the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor]], this USS ''Colorado'' was located at the naval base in San Diego, Calif. and hence went unscathed.
{{Clear}}

== Demographics ==
[[File:Colorado population map.png|thumb|left|300px|Colorado Population Density Map]]
{{US Census population
|1860 = 34277
|1870 = 39864
|1880 = 194327
|1890 = 413249
|1900 = 539700
|1910 = 799024
|1920 = 939629
|1930 = 1035791
|1940 = 1123296
|1950 = 1325089
|1960 = 1753947
|1970 = 2207259
|1980 = 2889964
|1990 = 3294394
|2000 = 4301262
|2010 = 5029196
|2011 = 6023453
|footnote = Sources: 1910–2010<ref>{{cite web|author=Resident Population Data |url=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php |title=Resident Population Data – 2010 Census |publisher=2010.census.gov |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref>
}}
The [[United States Census Bureau]] estimates that the population of Colorado was 5,116,796 on July 1, 2011, an increase of 1.74% since the [[2010 United States Census]].<ref name=PopEstUS>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/totals/2011/tables/NST-EST2011-01.csv|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011|format=[[comma-separated values|CSV]]|work=2011 Population Estimates|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division|date=December 2011|accessdate=December 21, 2011}}</ref> Colorado's most populous city, and capital, is [[Denver, CO|Denver]]. The [[Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area]] with an estimated 2009 population of 3,110,436, is home to 61.90% of the state's residents.

As of 2005, Colorado has an estimated population of 4,665,177, which is an increase of 63,356, or 1.4%, from the prior year and an increase of 363,162, or 8.4%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 205,321 people (that is 353,091 births minus 147,770 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 159,957 people into the state. [[Immigration to the United States|Immigration]] from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 112,217 people, and [[Human migration|migration]] within the country produced a net increase of 47,740 people.

The largest increases are expected in the [[Front Range Urban Corridor]], especially in the [[Denver metropolitan area]]. The state's fastest-growing counties are [[Douglas County, CO|Douglas]] and [[Weld County, CO|Weld]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epodunk.com/top10/countyPop/coPop6.html |title=Population growth – Colorado counties |publisher=Epodunk.com |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref> The [[center of population]] of Colorado is located just north of the village of Critchell in [[Jefferson County, CO|Jefferson County]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Population and Population Centers by State – 2000 | publisher = United States Census Bureau | accessdate =December 4, 2008 | url = http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt}}</ref>

According to the [[2010 U.S. Census]], Colorado had a population of 5,029,196. In terms of race and ethnicity, the state was 81.3% [[White American|White]] (70.0% Non-Hispanic White Alone), 4.0% [[African American|Black]] or African American, 1.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.8% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 7.2% from Some Other Race, and 3.4% from Two or More Races. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics]] and Latinos of any race made up 20.7% of the population.<ref>http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1&prodType=table</ref> According to the 2000 Census, the largest ancestry groups in Colorado are [[German American|German]] (22%) including of Swiss and [[Austrians|Austrian]] nationalities, [[Mexican-American|Mexican]] (18%), Irish (12%), and English (12%). Persons reporting [[German American|German ancestry]] are especially numerous in the Front Range, the Rockies (west-central counties) and Eastern parts/High Plains.

Colorado has a high proportion of [[Hispanic]], mostly [[Mexican-American]], citizens in Metropolitan Denver, Colorado Springs, as well as the smaller cities of Greeley and Pueblo, and in many other smaller cities and towns all throughout the state. Colorado is well known for its strong Latino culture and presence. Southern, Southwestern, and Southeastern Colorado has a large number of [[Hispanos]], the descendants of the early Mexican settlers of colonial Spanish origin. In 1940, Hispanics made up 8.2% of the state's population.<ref>{{cite web|title=Historical Census Statistics on Population Totals By Race, 1790 to 1990, and By Hispanic Origin, 1970 to 1990, For The United States, Regions, Divisions, and States|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0056/twps0056.html|accessdate=January 3, 2012}}</ref> The [[2000 United States Census]] found that 10.5% of people aged five and over in Colorado speak only Spanish at home, with the 2009 estimate being roughly 14%. Colorado also has a large immigration presence all throughout the state, which has led to Colorado cities being referred to as "Sanctuary Cities" for illegal immigrants as well. Colorado has the 4th highest percentage of undocumented people in the U.S., only behind Nevada, Arizona, California, and tied with Texas. An estimated 5.5–6.0% of the state's population is composed of illegal immigrants. Also, over 20% of the state's prisoners are undocumented inmates.<ref>{{cite web|author=Fred Elbel, CAIR |url=http://www.cairco.org/issues/issues_crime_colorado.html |title=Crime and illegal aliens in Colorado – CAIR – Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform |publisher=Cairco.org |date=May 19, 2005 |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=8&mode=state_tops&order=r |title=Language Map Data Center |publisher=Mla.org |date=July 17, 2007 |accessdate=July 30, 2010}}</ref> Colorado, like New Mexico, is very rich in archaic Spanish idioms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elcastellano.org/palabra.php?id=946 |title=talking about Colorado in "nada" |publisher=Elcastellano.org |date=June 30, 2007 |accessdate=July 30, 2010}}</ref>

Colorado also has some African-American communities located in Denver, in the neighborhoods of Montbello, Green Valley Ranch, Park Hill, Five Points, Whittier, and many other East Denver areas. A decent amount of African Americans are also found in Colorado Springs on the east and southeast side of the city. The state has sizable numbers of Asian-Americans of [[Mongolian American|Mongolian]], [[Chinese American|Chinese]], [[Filipino American|Filipino]], [[Koreans|Korean]], [[Southeast Asian]] and [[Japanese American|Japanese]] descent. The highest population of Asian Americans can be found on the south and southeast side of Denver, as well as some on Denver's southwest side. The Denver metropolitan area is considered more liberal and diverse than much of the state when it comes to political issues and environmental concerns.

There were a total of 70,331 births in Colorado in 2006. (Birth Rate of 14.6). In 2007, non-Hispanic whites were involved in 59.1% of all the births.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr57/nvsr57_12.pdf |title=National Vital Statistics Reports, Volume 57, Number 12, (March 18, 2009) |format=PDF |accessdate=July 30, 2010}}</ref> Some 14.06% of those births involved a non-Hispanic white person and someone of a different race, most often with a couple including one Hispanic. A birth where at least one Hispanic person was involved counted for 43% of the births in Colorado.<ref>[http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/scripts/htmsql.exe/cohid/natalityPub.hsql CDPHE.state.co.us<!-- Bot generated title -->], COHID Birth Data Request</ref> As of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 Census]], Colorado has the seventh highest percentage of Hispanics (20.7%) in the U.S. behind [[New Mexico]] (46.3%), California (37.6%), Texas (37.6%), [[Arizona]] (29.6%), [[Nevada]] (26.5%), and Florida (22.5%). Per the 2000 census, the Hispanic population is estimated to be 918,899 or approximately 20% of the state total population. Colorado has the 4th largest population of [[Mexican-Americans]] behind California, Texas, and Arizona. In percentages, Colorado has the 6th highest percentage of Mexican-Americans behind New Mexico, California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada.<ref>[http://www.statemaster.com/state/CO-colorado/peo-people<!-- Bot generated title -->], Statemaster Colorado</ref>

=== Religion ===
[[File:Colorado Rocky Mtn Church.jpg|thumb|The [[Chapel on the Rock]] at Camp Saint Malo near [[Allenspark, CO|Allenspark]].]]
[[File:USAFA Chapel from terrazzo.JPG|thumb|The Cadet Chapel at the [[United States Air Force Academy]] near [[Colorado Springs, CO|Colorado Springs]].]]
Major religious affiliations of the people of Colorado are:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://religions.pewforum.org/maps |title=U.S. Religion Map and Religious Populations – U.S. Religious Landscape Study – Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life |publisher=Religions.pewforum.org |accessdate=July 30, 2010}}</ref>
* Christian – 64%
** [[Protestantism|Protestant]] — 44%
*** [[Evangelicalism in the United States|Evangelical]] — 23%
*** [[Mainline (Protestant)|Mainline]] — 19%
*** Other Protestant – 2%
** [[Roman Catholicism in the United States|Roman Catholic]] — 19%
** [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Latter Day Saint]] / Mormon – 2%
** Orthodox – 1%
* Jewish – 2%
* Muslim — 1%
* Other Religions – 5%
* Unaffiliated – 25%

The largest denominations by number of adherents in 2000 were the Roman Catholic Church with 752,505; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 92,326 (133,727 year-end 2007) ; and [[Baptist]] with 85,083.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/state/08_2000.asp |title=The Association of Religion Data Archives &#124; Maps & Reports |publisher=Thearda.com |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref>

At 25%, Colorado also has an above-average proportion of citizens who claim no religion. The U.S. average is 17%.

=== Health ===
Colorado also has a reputation for being a state of active and athletic people. According to several studies, Coloradans have the lowest rates of obesity of any state in the US.<ref>http://calorielab.com/news/wp-images/post-images/fattest-states-2007-big.gif</ref> As of 2007, 18% of the population was considered medically obese, and while the lowest in the nation, the percentage had increased from 17% from 2004. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter commented: “As an avid fisherman and bike rider, I know first-hand that Colorado provides a great environment for active, healthy lifestyles,” although he highlighted the need for continued education and support to slow the growth of obesity in the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://calorielab.com/news/2007/08/06/fattest-states-2007/ |title=Fattest States 2010: CalorieLab's Annual Obesity Map – State Obesity Rankings &#124; CalorieLab – Health News & Information Blog |publisher=CalorieLab |date=June 28, 2010 |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref>

== Culture ==
[[File:ColoradoHistoryMuseum.jpg|thumb|[[Colorado History Museum]] in Denver]]
[[File:Denver Colorado Art.jpg|thumb|Street art in Denver]]
* [[List of museums in Colorado]]

=== Fine arts ===
* [[Music of Colorado]]
* [[Theater in Colorado]]

=== Cuisine ===
Colorado is known for its [[Cuisine of the Southwestern United States|Southwest]] and [[Rocky Mountain cuisine]]. Mexican restaurants are throughout the state.

[[Boulder, Colorado]] was named America’s Foodiest Town 2010 by [[Bon Appétit]].<ref name="Bon Appétit">{{cite web|last=Knowlton |first=Andrew |url=http://www.bonappetit.com/magazine/2010/10/americas_foodiest_town_2010_boulder |title=America's Foodiest Town 2010: Boulder, Colorado: In the Magazine |publisher=bonappetit.com |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref> Boulder, and Colorado in general, is home to a number of national food and beverage companies, top-tier restaurants and farmers' markets. [[Boulder, Colorado]] also has more Master [[Sommelier]]s per capita than any other city, including San Francisco and New York.<ref name="Denver Magazine">[http://www.denvermagazine.com/March-2011/Colorado-039s-Master-Sommeliers/ ]{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref>

The [[Food & Wine Classic]] held annually each June in [[Aspen, Colorado]]. Aspen also has a reputation as the culinary capital of the Rocky Mountain region.<ref>{{cite news|last=Arnold |first=Katie |url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/travel/08Choice.html |title=As Skiers Depart Aspen, Chowhounds Take Their Place|location=Aspen (Colo) |publisher=Travel.nytimes.com |date=June 8, 2008 |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref>

[[Denver]], Colorado is known for steak, but now has a diverse culinary scene with many top-tier restaurants.<ref name="Travel + Leisure">{{cite web|url=http://www.travelandleisure.com/guides/colorado |title=Colorado Travel Guide|publisher=Travelandleisure.com |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref>

=== Wine ===
{{main|Colorado wine}}
[[Colorado wine]]s include award-winning varietals that have attracted favorable notice from outside the state.<ref>{{cite news|last=Jackenthal |first=Stefani |url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/travel/05biking.html |title=Biking Colorado’s Wine Country |location=Colorado |publisher=Travel.nytimes.com |date=October 5, 2008 |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref> With wines made from traditional ''[[Vitis vinifera]]'' grapes along with wines made from cherries, peaches, plums and honey, Colorado wines have won top national and international awards for their quality.<ref name="Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition">{{cite web|url=http://www.thejeffersoncup.com |title=The Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition |publisher=Thejeffersoncup.com |date=November 24, 2010 |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref> Colorado's grape growing regions contain the highest elevation [[vineyard]]s in the United States,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=features&content=48734 |title=Wine Industry Feature Articles – Is Colorado the New Washington? |publisher=Winesandvines.com |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref> with most [[viticulture]] in the state practiced between {{convert|4000|ft|m|0}} and {{convert|7000|ft|m|0}} feet [[above sea level]]. The mountain [[climate]] ensures warm summer days and cool nights. Colorado is home to two designated [[American Viticultural Area]]s of the [[Grand Valley AVA]] and the [[West Elks AVA]],<ref name="Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau">http://www.ttb.gov/appellation/us_by_ava.pdf</ref> where most of the vineyards in the state are located. However, an increasing number of wineries are located along the [[Front Range]].<ref name="Colorado Wine Industry Development Board">{{cite web|url=http://www.coloradowine.com/overview.html |title=Colorado Wine Industry Development Board |publisher=Coloradowine.com |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref>

== Economy ==
[[File:Denver CO DT WTC AMH 322.JPG|thumb|upright|right|[[Denver World Trade Center]].<br />
The Denver financial district along 17th Street is known as the ''Wall Street of the West''.]]
{{main|Economy of Colorado}}
CNBC's list of "Top States for Business for 2010" has recognized Colorado as the third best state in the nation, falling short to only Texas and Virginia.<ref>America's Top States for Business 2010." CNBC Special Report (2010): 1. Web. May 9, 2011. <http://www.cnbc.com/id/37516043/>.</ref>
[[File:2006 CO Proof.png|thumb|left|upright|The United States quarter dollar coin released June 14, 2006, in honor of the state of Colorado.]]
[[File:Corn production in Colorado.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Maize|Corn]] growing in [[Larimer County, CO|Larimer County]]]]
[[File:DSCN2549 beevesnearwalden 600.jpg|thumb|upright|right|[[Cattle ranching]] in [[Jackson County, CO|Jackson County]]]]
[[File:Grand Junction Trip 92007 131.JPG|thumb|upright|right|An [[oil well]] in western Colorado]]
The [[Bureau of Economic Analysis]] estimates that the total state product in 2010 was $257.6 billion.<ref>{{cite web|title=GDP by State|url=http://greyhill.com/gdp-by-state|publisher=Greyhill Advisors|accessdate=September 7, 2011}}</ref> [[List of U.S. states by GDP per capita (nominal)|Per capita personal income]] in 2010 was $51 940, ranking Colorado 11th in the nation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2009/pdf/spi0309.pdf |title=References |format=PDF |accessdate=July 30, 2010}}</ref> The state's economy broadened from its mid-19th century roots in mining when irrigated agriculture developed, and by the late 19th century, raising livestock had become important. Early industry was based on the extraction and processing of minerals and agricultural products. Current agricultural products are cattle, wheat, [[dairy product]]s, [[maize|corn]], and [[hay]].

The [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] is also a major economic force in the state with many important federal facilities including [[NORAD]] (North American Aerospace Defense Command, [[United States Air Force Academy]], Schriever Air Force Base located approximately 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of [[Peterson Air Force Base]], and Fort Carson, both located in [[Colorado Springs]] within El Paso County; [[NOAA]], the National Renewable Energy Laboratory ([[NREL]]) in Golden, and the [[National Institute of Standards and Technology]] in [[Boulder, CO|Boulder]]; [[U.S. Geological Survey]] and other government agencies at the Denver Federal Center near [[Lakewood, CO|Lakewood]]; the [[Denver Mint]], [[Buckley Air Force Base]], and [[United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit|10th Circuit Court of Appeals]] in Denver; and a federal [[ADX Florence|Supermax Prison]] and other federal prisons near [[Cañon City, CO|Cañon City]]. In addition to these and other [[Independent Agencies of the United States Government|federal agencies]], Colorado has abundant [[United States National Forest|National Forest]] land and four [[List of National Parks of the United States|National Parks]] that contribute to federal ownership of {{convert|24615788|acre|km2|0}} of land in Colorado, or 37% of the total area of the state.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ag.state.co.us/resource/documents/TotalCOLandOwnership.xls |title=Colorado Land Ownership by County (acres) |year=1997 |month=January |author=Tony Frank |format=Excel |publisher=Colorado Department of Agriculture |accessdate=July 15, 2007|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060116094720/http%3A//www.ag.state.co.us/resource/colorado_land_ownership.html |archivedate = January 16, 2006}} [http://www.ag.state.co.us/resource/colorado_land_ownership.html Colorado Department of Agriculture: Land Ownership]{{Dead link|date=July 2010}}</ref>
In the second half of the 20th century, the industrial and service sectors have expanded greatly. The state's economy is diversified and is notable for its concentration of scientific research and high-technology industries. Other industries include [[food processing]], transportation equipment, [[Mechanical engineering|machinery]], [[chemical engineering|chemical products]], the extraction of metals such as gold (see [[Gold mining in Colorado]]), silver, and [[molybdenum]]. Colorado now also has the largest annual production of beer of any state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2007/nov/24/reuteman-colorado-rides-on-fat-tire-to-beer/ |title=Colorado rides on Fat Tire to beer heights |publisher=Rockymountainnews.com |date=November 24, 2007 |accessdate=June 5, 2011}}</ref> Denver is an important financial center.

A number of nationally known brand names have originated in Colorado factories and laboratories. From [[Denver#Economy|Denver]] came the forerunner of telecommunications giant [[Qwest Corporation|Qwest]] in 1879, [[Samsonite]] luggage in 1910, [[Gates Corporation|Gates]] belts and hoses in 1911, and [[Russell Stover Candies]] in 1923. Kuner canned vegetables began in [[Brighton, CO|Brighton]] in 1864. From [[Golden, CO|Golden]] came [[Coors Brewing Company|Coors]] beer in 1873, [[CoorsTek]] industrial ceramics in 1920, and [[Jolly Rancher]] candy in 1949. [[Colorado Fuel and Iron|CF&I]] railroad rails, wire, nails and pipe debuted in [[Pueblo, CO|Pueblo]] in 1892. [[Imperial Sugar|Holly Sugar]] was first milled from beets in [[Holly, CO|Holly]] in 1905, and later moved its headquarters to Colorado Springs. The present-day [[Swift & Company|Swift]] packed meat of [[Greeley, CO|Greeley]] evolved from Monfort of Colorado, Inc., established in 1930. [[Estes Industries|Estes]] model rockets were launched in [[Penrose, CO|Penrose]] in 1958. [[Fort Collins, CO|Fort Collins]] has been the home of [[Woodward Governor Company]]'s motor controllers (governors) since 1870, and [[Oral irrigator|Waterpik]] dental water jets and showerheads since 1962. [[Celestial Seasonings]] herbal teas have been made in [[Boulder, CO|Boulder]] since 1969. [[Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory]] made its first candy in [[Durango, CO|Durango]] in 1981.

Colorado has a flat 4.63% [[income tax]], regardless of income level. Unlike most states, which calculate taxes based on federal ''adjusted gross income'', Colorado taxes are based on ''taxable income'' – income after federal exemptions and federal itemized (or standard) deductions.<ref>Colorado individual income tax return (2005) [http://www.revenue.state.co.us/PDF/05104f.pdf Revenue.state.co.us]. Retrieved September 26, 2006.</ref><ref>U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (2005) [http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf#search=%22form%201040%20site%3Airs.gov%22 online copy]. Retrieved September 26, 2006.</ref> Colorado's state [[sales tax]] is 2.9% on retail sales. When state revenues exceed state constitutional limits, full-year Colorado residents can claim a sales tax refund on their individual state income tax return. Many counties and cities charge their own rates in addition to the base state rate. There are also certain county and special district taxes that may apply.

Real estate and personal business property are taxable in Colorado. The state's senior property tax exemption was temporarily suspended by the Colorado Legislature in 2003. The tax break is scheduled to return for assessment year 2006, payable in 2007.

As of September 2010, the state's unemployment rate is 8.2%.<ref>[http://www.bls.gov/lau/ Bls.gov]; Local Area Unemployment Statistics</ref>

=== Philanthropy ===
Major philanthropic organizations based in Colorado, including the [[Daniels Fund]], the Anschutz Family Foundation, the [[Gates Family Foundation]], the El Pomar Foundation and the [[Boettcher Foundation]], grant approximately $400 million<ref>[http://www.coloradofunders.org/docs/2007%20Giving%20Study%20PublishedFinal_1.pdf Coloradofunders.org]{{Dead link|date=July 2010}}</ref> each year from approximately $7 billion<ref>http://www.cof.org/files/Documents/Government/StateGiving/CO.pdf</ref> of assets.

=== Natural resources ===
Colorado has significant [[hydrocarbon]] resources. According to the [[Energy Information Administration]], Colorado hosts seven of the Nation’s 100 largest natural gas fields and two of its 100 largest [[oil field]]s. Conventional and unconventional natural gas output from several Colorado basins typically account for more than 5 percent of annual U.S. natural gas production. Colorado’s [[oil shale]] deposits hold an estimated {{convert|1|Toilbbl|km3}} of oil – nearly as much oil as the entire world’s proven oil reserves; the economic viability of the oil shale, however, has not been demonstrated.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CO |title= EIA State Energy Profiles: Colorado |date=June 12, 2008 |accessdate=June 24, 2008
}}</ref> Substantial deposits of [[bituminous coal|bituminous]], [[sub-bituminous coal|subbituminous]], and [[lignite]] coal are found in the state. [[Kimberlite]] [[volcanic pipe]]s have been found in Colorado; the [[Kelsey Lake Diamond Mine]] operated for several years, recovering gem quality diamonds.{{citation needed|date=May 2011}}

Colorado's high Rocky Mountain ridges and eastern plains offer [[wind power]] potential, and geologic activity in the mountain areas provides potential for [[geothermal power]] development. Much of the state is sunny and could produce [[solar power]]. Major rivers flowing from the Rocky Mountains offer [[hydroelectricity|hydroelectric power]] resources. Corn grown in the flat eastern part of the state offers potential resources for [[ethanol]] production.

== Transportation ==
{{main|Transportation in Colorado}}
[[File:Colorado.JPG|thumb|upright|Colorado state welcome sign]]
Colorado transportation system connects its cities, residents, and visitors through a diverse and well regulated modes.

Colorado's primary method of transportation is its highway system. [[Interstate 25]] is the primary North/South highway in the state, connecting Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Fort Collins, and Greeley, and [[Interstate 70]] is the primary East/West route connecting Denver with the mountain communities and Grand Junction. The state is home to a network of US highways and state highways that provide access to much of the state, while smaller communities are only accessibly through county roads.
[[Image:DIA.jpg|thumb|left|The Teflon-coated fiberglass roof of [[Denver International Airport|DIA]] resembles the area's famous [[Rocky Mountains]]]]
[[Denver International Airport]] (DIA) is the fifth busiest airport in the world and handles the bulk of non-military or commercial air traffic in and out of Colorado. Regional airports are located throughout Colorado.

Rail traffic is important for industrial use, but typical Colorado residents do not use rail transportation. [[AMTRAK]] services Colorado outside of the [[light rail]] mass transit system in the [[Denver Metropolitan Area]], which is operated the [[Regional Transportation District]]. Other public transportation services offer both intra-city and inter-city bus services.

== Government and politics ==
=== State government ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:10px"
|+ '''Gubernatorial election results'''
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 2010|2010]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|11.3% ''199,034
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''51.0%''' ''912,005
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 2006|2006]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|40.16% ''625,886
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''56.98%''' ''888,096
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 2002|2002]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''62.62%''' ''884,584
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|33.65% ''475,373
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1998|1998]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''49.06%''' ''648,202
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|48.43% ''639,905
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1994|1994]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|38.70% ''432,042
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''55.47%''' ''619,205
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1990|1990]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|35.43% ''358,403
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''61.89%''' ''626,032
|}
{{Main|Law and government of Colorado}}
[[File:Denver capital.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Colorado State Capitol]] in [[Denver]]]]

Just like all the states, Colorado's [[state constitution]] provides for three branches of government: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial branches. The [[List of Governors of Colorado|Governor]] heads the state's executive branch. The [[Colorado Supreme Court]] is the highest judicial court in the state. The state legislative body is the [[Colorado General Assembly]], which is made up of two houses, the [[Colorado House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and the [[Colorado Senate|Senate]].

The House has 65 members and the Senate has 35. Currently, the House is controlled by the [[United States Republican Party|Republican Party]] by a one vote majority and the Senate is controlled by the [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic Party]]. The 2005 Colorado General Assembly was the first to be controlled by the Democrats in forty years. The incumbent governor is Democrat [[John Hickenlooper]].

Most Coloradans are originally native to other states (nearly 60% according to the 2000 census),<ref>{{cite web
| title =State of Residence in 2000 by State of Birth
| publisher =[[US Census Bureau]]
| accessdate =October 10, 2009
| url =http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t38/index.html }}</ref> and this is illustrated by the fact that the state did not have a native-born governor from 1975 (when [[John David Vanderhoof]] left office) until 2007, when Bill Ritter took office; [[Colorado gubernatorial election, 2006|his election]] the previous year marked the first electoral victory for a native-born Coloradan in a gubernatorial race since 1958 (Vanderhoof had ascended from the Lieutenant Governorship when [[John Arthur Love]] was given a position in [[Richard Nixon]]'s administration in 1973). {{Clear}}

=== Counties ===
[[File:Map of Colorado counties, labelled.svg|thumb|An enlargeable map of the [[List of counties in Colorado|64 counties]] of the state of Colorado]]
{{Main|Colorado counties}}
{{see also|List of counties in Colorado}}
The state of Colorado is divided into 64 [[County (United States)|counties]].<ref name= CountiesCO>{{cite web | date = January 8, 2007 | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/counties.html | title = Colorado Counties | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs | accessdate =January 30, 2007 }}</ref> Counties are important units of government in Colorado since the state has no secondary civil subdivisions such as townships. Two of these counties, the [[Denver|City and County of Denver]] and the [[Broomfield, Colorado|City and County of Broomfield]], have [[consolidated city-county|consolidated city and county governments]].

Nine Colorado counties have a population in excess of 250,000 each, while eight Colorado counties have a population of less than 2,500 each. The ten most populous Colorado counties are located in the [[Front Range Urban Corridor]].
{{clear}}
<center>
<!-- THE FOLLOWING TABLE CONTAINS DATA FROM THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU. DO ''not'' ALTER U.S. CENSUS DATA. -->
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+'''The 25 Most Populous Colorado Counties 2010'''<br/><br/>
!Pop Rank
!County
!2010 Census
!2000 Census
!Pop Change
|-
{{rank|1}}
|[[El Paso County, Colorado|El Paso County]]
{{noc|622263|516929}}
|-
{{rank|2}}
|[[Denver|City and County of Denver]]
{{noc|600158|554636}}
|-
{{rank|3}}
|[[Arapahoe County, Colorado|Arapahoe County]]
{{noc|572003|487967}}
|-
{{rank|4}}
|[[Jefferson County, Colorado|Jefferson County]]<ref name=Broomfield/>
{{noc|534543|527056}}
|-
{{rank|5}}
|[[Adams County, Colorado|Adams County]]<ref name=Broomfield/>
{{noc|441603|363857}}
|-
{{rank|6}}
|[[Larimer County, Colorado|Larimer County]]
{{noc|299630|251494}}
|-
{{rank|7}}
|[[Boulder County, Colorado|Boulder County]]<ref name=Broomfield/>
{{noc|294567|291288}}
|-
{{rank|8}}
|[[Douglas County, Colorado|Douglas County]]
{{noc|285465|175766}}
|-
{{rank|9}}
|[[Weld County, Colorado|Weld County]]<ref name=Broomfield/>
{{noc|252825|180936}}
|-
{{rank|10}}
|[[Pueblo County, Colorado|Pueblo County]]
{{noc|159063|141472}}
|-
{{rank|11}}
|[[Mesa County, Colorado|Mesa County]]
{{noc|146723|116255}}
|-
{{rank|12}}
|[[Garfield County, Colorado|Garfield County]]
{{noc|56389|43791}}
|-
{{rank|13}}
|[[Broomfield, Colorado|Broomfield City and County]]<ref name=Broomfield>The [[Broomfield, Colorado|City and County of Broomfield, Colorado]] was created on November 15, 2001, from portions of [[Boulder County, Colorado|Boulder County]], [[Adams County, Colorado|Adams County]], [[Jefferson County, Colorado|Jefferson County]], and [[Weld County, Colorado]].</ref>
{{noc|55889|NA}}
|-
{{rank|14}}
|[[Eagle County, Colorado|Eagle County]]
{{noc|52197|41659}}
|-
{{rank|15}}
|[[La Plata County, Colorado|La Plata County]]
{{noc|51334|43941}}
|-
{{rank|16}}
|[[Fremont County, Colorado|Fremont County]]
{{noc|46824|46145}}
|-
{{rank|17}}
|[[Montrose County, Colorado|Montrose County]]
{{noc|41276|33432}}
|-
{{rank|18}}
|[[Delta County, Colorado|Delta County]]
{{noc|30952|27834}}
|-
{{rank|19}}
|[[Morgan County, Colorado|Morgan County]]
{{noc|28159|27171}}
|-
{{rank|20}}
|[[Summit County, Colorado|Summit County]]
{{noc|27994|23548}}
|-
{{rank|21}}
|[[Montezuma County, Colorado|Montezuma County]]
{{noc|25535|23830}}
|-
{{rank|22}}
|[[Routt County, Colorado|Routt County]]
{{noc|23509|19690}}
|-
{{rank|23}}
|[[Teller County, Colorado|Teller County]]
{{noc|23350|20555}}
|-
{{rank|24}}
|[[Elbert County, Colorado|Elbert County]]
{{noc|23086|19872}}
|-
{{rank|25}}
|[[Logan County, Colorado|Logan County]]
{{noc|22709|20504}}
|}</center>
<!-- THE PRECEDING TABLE CONTAINS DATA FROM THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU. DO ''not'' ALTER U.S. CENSUS DATA. -->

==== Metropolitan areas ====
[[File:Colorado census statistical areas.svg|thumb|Map of the 14 [[Core Based Statistical Area]]s in the state of Colorado.]]
{{Main|Colorado metropolitan areas|Colorado census statistical areas}}
The [[United States Office of Management and Budget]] (OMB) has defined one [[Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA),<ref name=CSA>The [[United States Office of Management and Budget]] defines a [[Combined Statistical Area]] (CSA) as an aggregate of adjacent [[Core Based Statistical Area]]s that are linked by commuting ties.</ref> seven [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]]s (MSAs),<ref name=MSA>The [[United States Office of Management and Budget]] defines a [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]] (MSA) as a [[Core Based Statistical Area]] having at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more population, plus adjacent territory that has a high degree of social and economic integration with the core as measured by commuting ties.</ref> and seven [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]]s (μSAs)<ref name="μSA">The [[United States Office of Management and Budget]] defines a [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]] (μSA) as a [[Core Based Statistical Area]] having at least one urban cluster of at least 10,000 but less than 50,000 population, plus adjacent territory that has a high degree of social and economic integration with the core as measured by commuting ties.</ref> in the state of Colorado.<ref name=OMB_10-02>{{cite web|url=http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/bulletins/b10-02.pdf|title=OMB Bulletin No. 10-02: Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses|publisher=[[United States Office of Management and Budget]]|date=December 1, 2009|accessdate=January 7, 2010}}</ref>

The most populous of the 14 [[Core Based Statistical Area]]s in Colorado is the [[Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. This area had a population of 2,543,482 at the [[2010 United States Census]], an increase of 17.88% since the [[2000 United States Census]].<ref name=AF>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/main.html|title=American Factfinder|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=May 10, 2011}}</ref>

The more extensive [[Denver-Aurora-Boulder, CO Combined Statistical Area]] had a population of 3,090,874 at the 2010 United States Census, an increase of +17.52% since the 2000 United States Census.<ref name=AF/>

The most populous extended metropolitan region in Rocky Mountain Region is the [[Front Range Urban Corridor]] along the northeast face of the [[Southern Rocky Mountains]]. This region with [[Denver]] at its center had a population of 4,333,742 at the 2010 United States Census, an increase of +17.50% since the 2000 United States Census.<ref name=AF/>
{{clear}}

=== Municipalities ===
{{main|Colorado municipalities}}
The state of Colorado currently has 271 active [[municipal corporation|incorporated municipalities]], including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.<ref name=COmuniStatus>{{cite web | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | title = Active Colorado Municipalities | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs | accessdate =May 11, 2011}}</ref><ref name=COgovTypes>{{cite web | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/lgtypes.html | title = Colorado Local Government by Type | publisher = State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs | date = February 27, 2007 | accessdate =May 11, 2011}}</ref>

Colorado municipalities operate under one of five types of municipal governing authority. Colorado has one town with a [[Colorado municipalities#Territorial Charter Municipality|territorial charter]], 160 [[Colorado municipalities#Statutory Town|statutory towns]], 12 [[Colorado municipalities#Statutory City|statutory cities]], 96 [[Colorado municipalities#Home Rule Municipality|home rule municipalities]] (61 cities and 35 towns), and 2 [[Colorado municipalities#Consolidated City and County|consolidated city and county governments]].
<center>
{{wide image|2006-07-14-Denver Skyline Midnight.jpg|847px|The skyline of downtown [[Denver]] with Speer Boulevard in the foreground}}
<!-- THE FOLLOWING TABLE CONTAINS DATA FROM THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU. DO ''not'' ALTER U.S. CENSUS DATA. -->
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+The 25 Most Populous Colorado Municipalities 2010<br/><br/>
!Pop Rank
!Municipality
!2010 Census
!2000 Census
!Pop Change
|-
{{rank|1}}
|[[Denver|City and County of Denver]]
{{noc|600158|554636}}
|-
{{rank|2}}
|[[Colorado Springs, Colorado|City of Colorado Springs]]
{{noc|416427|360890}}
|-
{{rank|3}}
|[[Aurora, Colorado|City of Aurora]]
{{noc|325078|276393}}
|-
{{rank|4}}
|[[Fort Collins, Colorado|City of Fort Collins]]
{{noc|143986|118652}}
|-
{{rank|5}}
|[[Lakewood, Colorado|City of Lakewood]]
{{noc|142980|144126}}
|-
{{rank|6}}
|[[Thornton, Colorado|City of Thornton]]
{{noc|118772|82384}}
|-
{{rank|7}}
|[[Pueblo, Colorado|City of Pueblo]]
{{noc|106595|102121}}
|-
{{rank|8}}
|[[Arvada, Colorado|City of Arvada]]
{{noc|106433|102153}}
|-
{{rank|9}}
|[[Westminster, Colorado|City of Westminster]]
{{noc|106114|100940}}
|-
{{rank|10}}
|[[Centennial, Colorado|City of Centennial]]<ref>The [[Centennial, Colorado|City of Centennial, Colorado]] was incorporated on February 7, 2001</ref>
{{noc|100377|NA}}
|-
{{rank|11}}
|[[Boulder, Colorado|City of Boulder]]
{{noc|97385|94673}}
|-
{{rank|12}}
|[[Greeley, Colorado|City of Greeley]]
{{noc|92889|76930}}
|-
{{rank|13}}
|[[Longmont, Colorado|City of Longmont]]
{{noc|86270|71093}}
|-
{{rank|14}}
|[[Loveland, Colorado|City of Loveland]]
{{noc|66859|50608}}
|-
{{rank|15}}
|[[Grand Junction, Colorado|City of Grand Junction]]
{{noc|58566|41986}}
|-
{{rank|16}}
|[[Broomfield, Colorado|City and County of Broomfield]]<ref name=Broomfield/>
{{noc|55889|38272}}
|-
{{rank|17}}
|[[Castle Rock, Colorado|Town of Castle Rock]]
{{noc|48231|20224}}
|-
{{rank|18}}
|[[Commerce City, Colorado|City of Commerce City]]
{{noc|45913|20991}}
|-
{{rank|19}}
|[[Parker, Colorado|Town of Parker]]
{{noc|45297|23558}}
|-
{{rank|20}}
|[[Littleton, Colorado|City of Littleton]]
{{noc|41737|40340}}
|-
{{rank|21}}
|[[Northglenn, Colorado|City of Northglenn]]
{{noc|35789|31575}}
|-
{{rank|22}}
|[[Brighton, Colorado|City of Brighton]]
{{noc|33352|20905}}
|-
{{rank|23}}
|[[Englewood, Colorado|City of Englewood]]
{{noc|30255|31727}}
|-
{{rank|24}}
|[[Wheat Ridge, Colorado|City of Wheat Ridge]]
{{noc|30166|32913}}
|-
{{rank|25}}
|[[Fountain, Colorado|City of Fountain]]
{{noc|25846|15197}}
|}</center>
<!-- THE PRECEDING TABLE CONTAINS DATA FROM THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU. DO ''not'' ALTER U.S. CENSUS DATA. -->

==== Unincorporated communities ====
{{main|Colorado census designated places}}
In addition to its 271 municipalities, Colorado has 187 [[Unincorporated area|unincorporated]] [[United States Census Bureau|United States]] [[Census-designated place|census designated places]] and many other small communities.
{{clear}}<center>
<!-- THE FOLLOWING TABLE CONTAINS DATA FROM THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU. DO ''not'' ALTER U.S. CENSUS DATA. -->
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+The 15 Most Populous Census Designated Places in Colorado 2010<br/><br/>
!Pop Rank
!Census Designated Place
!2010 Census
!2000 Census
!Pop Change
|-
{{rank|1}}
|[[Highlands Ranch, Colorado|Highlands Ranch]]
{{noc|96713|70931}}
|-
{{rank|2}}
|[[Security-Widefield, Colorado|Security-Widefield]]
{{noc|32882|29845}}
|-
{{rank|3}}
|[[Ken Caryl, Colorado|Ken Caryl]]
{{noc|32438|30887}}
|-
{{rank|4}}
|[[Dakota Ridge, Colorado|Dakota Ridge]]
{{noc|32005|NA}}
|-
{{rank|5}}
|[[Pueblo West, Colorado|Pueblo West]]
{{noc|29637|16899}}
|-
{{rank|6}}
|[[Columbine, Colorado|Columbine]]
{{noc|24280|24095}}
|-
{{rank|7}}
|[[Clifton, Colorado|Clifton]]
{{noc|19889|17345}}
|-
{{rank|8}}
|[[Sherrelwood, Colorado|Sherrelwood]]
{{noc|18287|17657}}
|-
{{rank|9}}
|[[Cimarron Hills, Colorado|Cimarron Hills]]
{{noc|16161|15194}}
|-
{{rank|10}}
|[[Welby, Colorado|Welby]]
{{noc|14846|12973}}
|-
{{rank|11}}
|[[Fort Carson, Colorado|Fort Carson]]
{{noc|13813|10566}}
|-
{{rank|12}}
|[[Black Forest, Colorado|Black Forest]]
{{noc|13116|13247}}
|-
{{rank|13}}
|[[Berkley, Colorado|Berkley]]
{{noc|11207|10743}}
|-
{{rank|14}}
|[[Cherry Creek, Colorado|Cherry Creek]]
{{noc|11120|NA}}
|-
{{rank|15}}
|[[The Pinery, Colorado|The Pinery]]
{{noc|10517|7253}}
|}</center>
<!-- THE PRECEDING TABLE CONTAINS DATA FROM THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU. DO ''not'' ALTER U.S. CENSUS DATA. -->
{{see also|List of cities and towns in Colorado|Places in Colorado}}

===Special districts ===
The state of Colorado has more than 3,000 districts with taxing authority. These districts may provide schools, law enforcement, fire protection, water, sewage, drainage, irrigation, transportation, recreation, infrastructure, cultural facilities, business support, redevelopment, or other services.

Some of these districts have authority to levy sales tax and well as property tax and use fees. This has led to a hodgepodge of sales tax and property tax rates in Colorado. There are some street intersections in Colorado with a different sales tax rate on each corner, sometimes substantially different.

Some of the more notable Colorado districts are:
* The [[Regional Transportation District]] (RTD), which affects the counties of Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, and portions of Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, and Douglas Counties
* The [[Scientific and Cultural Facilities District]] (SCFD), a special regional tax district with physical boundaries contiguous with county boundaries of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties
** It is a 0.1% retail sales and use tax (one penny on every $10).
** According to the Colorado statute, the SCFD distributes the money to local organizations on an annual basis. These organizations must provide for the enlightenment and entertainment of the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement or preservation of art, music, theater, dance, zoology, botany, natural history or cultural history.
** As directed by statute, SCFD recipient organizations are currently divided into three "tiers" among which receipts are allocated by percentage.
*** Tier I includes regional organizations: the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Zoo, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It receives 65.5%.
*** Tier II currently includes 26 regional organizations. Tier II receives 21%.
*** Tier III has over 280 local organizations such as small theaters, orchestras, art centers, and natural history, cultural history, and community groups. Tier III organizations apply for funding to the county cultural councils via a grant process. This tier receives 13.5%.
** An 11-member board of directors oversees the distributions in accordance with the Colorado Revised Statutes. Seven board members are appointed by county commissioners (in Denver, the Denver City Council) and four members are appointed by the Governor of Colorado.
* The Football Stadium District (FD or FTBL), approved by the voters to pay for and help build the [[Denver Broncos]]' stadium [[INVESCO Field at Mile High]]
* Local Improvement Districts (LID) within designated areas of southeast Jefferson and Boulder counties
* Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) taxes at varying rates in Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Gunnison County

=== Federal politics ===
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin:10px"
|+ '''Presidential elections results'''
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2008|2008]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|44.71% ''1,073,584
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''53.66%''' ''1,288,568
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''51.69%''' ''1,101,255
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|47.02% ''1,001,732
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''50.75%''' ''883,745
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|42.39% ''738,227
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''45.80%''' ''691,848
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|44.43% ''671,152
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|35.87% ''562,850
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''40.13%''' '' ''629,681
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''53.06%''' ''728,177
| style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|45.28% ''621,453
|}
{{Main|Politics of Colorado}}

Colorado is considered a [[swing state]] in both state and federal elections. Coloradans have elected 17 [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] and 12 [[Republican Party (United States)|Republicans]] to the governorship in the last 100 years. In presidential politics, Colorado supported Democrats [[Bill Clinton]] in 1992 and [[Barack Obama]] in 2008, and supported Republicans [[Bob Dole|Robert J. Dole]] in 1996 and [[George W. Bush]] in [[United States presidential election, 2000|2000]] and [[United States presidential election, 2004|2004]]. The presidential outcome in 2008 was the second closest to the national popular vote, after Virginia.<ref>{{cite web
| last =Goodman
| first =Josh
| title =Move Over Missouri, Iowa Is the New Bellwether State
| publisher =Governing.com
| accessdate =October 10, 2009
| url =http://ballotbox.governing.com/2008/11/move-over-missouri-iowa-is-the-bellwether-state.html }}</ref>

Colorado politics has the contrast of conservative cities such as Colorado Springs and liberal cities such as Boulder. Democrats are strongest in [[Denver Metropolitan Area|metropolitan Denver]], the college towns of [[Fort Collins, CO|Fort Collins]] and [[Boulder, CO|Boulder]], southern Colorado (including Pueblo), and a few western ski resort counties. The Republicans are strongest in the Eastern Plains, Colorado Springs, Greeley, and far Western Colorado near Grand Junction.

Former Colorado senator and attorney general [[Ken Salazar]] is the current [[United States Secretary of the Interior]] (as of January 20, 2009).

The state of Colorado is represented by its two [[United States Senator]]s:
*[[Classes of United States Senators|United States Senate Class 2]] – [[Mark Emery Udall]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]) 2009–
*[[Classes of United States Senators|United States Senate Class 3]] – [[Michael Farrand Bennet]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]])<ref name=Bennet>[[Governor of Colorado|Governor]] [[Bill Ritter]] appointed [[Michael Bennet]] to serve the remaining two years of [[United States Senator]] [[Ken Salazar]] term of office which was left vacant on January 20, 2009, when new United States President [[Barack Obama]] appointed the Colorado Senator to serve in his [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]] as [[United States Secretary of the Interior]].</ref> 2009–
Colorado is represented by seven [[United States House of Representatives|Representatives]] to the [[United States House of Representatives]]:
*[[Colorado's 1st congressional district]] – [[Diana Louise DeGette]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]) 1997–
*[[Colorado's 2nd congressional district]] – [[Jared Schutz Polis]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]) 2009–
*[[Colorado's 3rd congressional district]] – [[Scott Tipton]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]) 2011–
*[[Colorado's 4th congressional district]] – [[Cory Gardner]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]) 2011–
*[[Colorado's 5th congressional district]] – [[Douglas L. Lamborn|Douglas L. "Doug" Lamborn]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]) 2007–
*[[Colorado's 6th congressional district]] – [[Michael "Mike" Coffman]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]) 2009–
*[[Colorado's 7th congressional district]] – [[Edwin George Perlmutter|Edwin George "Ed" Perlmutter]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]) 2007–
{{See also|United States presidential election, 2004, in Colorado |Colorado's congressional elections, 2006|Colorado gubernatorial election, 2006|Political party strength in Colorado}}
{{clear}}

== Education ==
[[File:Cadet chapel.jpg|thumb|upright|right|The [[United States Air Force Academy]].]]
Colleges and universities in Colorado:
[[File:Norlin Library - Colorado.jpg|thumb|upright|right|The [[University of Colorado at Boulder]].]]
[[File:University of Denver campus pics 003.jpg|upright|right|thumb|The [[University of Denver]].]]
<!-- This list of colleges is limited to schools with a physical campus in Colorado that offer accredited associate, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees -->
{{Columns |width=320px
|col1 =
*[[Adams State College]]
*[[Aims Community College]]
*[[Arapahoe Community College]]
*[[Art Institute of Colorado]]
*[[Belleview College]]
*[[Colorado Christian University]]
*[[Colorado College]]
*[[Colorado Mesa University]]
*[[Colorado Mountain College]]
*[[Colorado Northwestern Community College]]
*[[Colorado School of Mines]]
*[[Colorado State University|Colorado State University System]]
**[[Colorado State University]]
**[[Colorado State University-Pueblo]]
*[[Colorado Technical University]]
*[[Community College of Aurora]]
*[[Community College of Denver]]
*[[Denver Seminary]]
*[[DeVry University]]
*[[Emily Griffith Opportunity School]]
*[[Fort Lewis College]]
*[[Front Range Community College]]
*[[Iliff School of Theology]]
*[[Johnson & Wales University]]
*[[Jones International University]]
*[[Lamar Community College]]
|col2 =
*[[Metropolitan State College of Denver]]
*[[Morgan Community College]]
*[[Naropa University]]
*[[National Technological University]]
*[[Nazarene Bible College]]
*[[Northeastern Junior College]]
*[[Otero Junior College]]
*[[Pikes Peak Community College]]
*[[Pueblo Community College]]
*[[Red Rocks Community College]]
*[[Redstone College]]
*[[Regis University]]
*[[Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design]]
*[[Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine]]
*[[Trinidad State Junior College]]
*[[United States Air Force Academy]]
*[[University of Colorado System]]
**[[University of Colorado at Boulder]]
**[[University of Colorado at Colorado Springs]]
**[[University of Colorado Denver]]
***[[Anschutz Medical Campus]]
***[[Auraria Campus]]
*[[University of Denver]]
*[[University of Northern Colorado]]
*[[Western State College]]
}}

{{See also|List of colleges and universities in Colorado|Table of Colorado school districts|Table of Colorado charter schools}}
{{Clear}}

== Military installations ==
[[File:PetersonAFB.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Peterson Air Force Base]]]]
Colorado is currently the home of nine major military bases and installations. Past base have closed over the years, e.g. [[Lowry Air Force Base]] and [[Fitzsimons Army Medical Center|Fitzsimons Army Hospital]].
*[[Air Reserve Personnel Center]]
*[[Buckley Air Force Base]]
*[[Fort Carson]] (U.S. Army)
**[[Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site]]
*[[Peterson Air Force Base]]
**[[Cheyenne Mountain Directorate]]
*[[Pueblo Chemical Depot]] (U.S. Army)
*[[Schriever Air Force Base]]
*[[United States Air Force Academy]]

== Protected areas ==
[[File:Coloradodunes.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve]]]]
[[File:SpruceTreeHouseLong.jpg|thumb|upright|Spruce Tree House in [[Mesa Verde National Park]]]]
{{main|List of federal lands in Colorado|Colorado State Parks}}
Colorado is home to [[List of national parks in Colorado|four national parks]], [[National monuments of Colorado|six national monuments]], [[National recreation areas of Colorado|two national recreation areas]], [[National historic sites of Colorado|two national historic sites]], [[National historic trails of Colorado|three national historic trails]], [[National scenic trail of Colorado|a national scenic trail]], [[National forests of Colorado|11 national forests]], [[National grasslands of Colorado|two national grasslands]], [[National wilderness areas of Colorado|41 national wilderness areas]], [[List of federal lands in Colorado#National Conservation Areas|two national conservation areas]], [[National wildlife refuges of Colorado|eight national wildlife refuges]], [[List of Colorado state parks|44 state parks]], [[Colorado Division of Wildlife|307 state wildlife areas]], and numerous other scenic, historic, and recreational areas.

Units of the National Park System in Colorado:
*[[Arapaho National Recreation Area]]<ref name=NFS>Managed by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]], [[National Forest Service]].</ref>
*[[Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site]]
*[[Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park]]
*[[Canyons of the Ancients National Monument]]<ref name=BLM>Managed by the [[United States Department of the Interior]], [[Bureau of Land Management]].</ref>
*[[Colorado National Monument]]
*[[Continental Divide National Scenic Trail]]<ref name=NFSNPSBLM>Jointly managed by the [[United States Department of Agriculture]], [[National Forest Service]], and the [[United States Department of the Interior]], [[National Park Service]] and [[Bureau of Land Management]].</ref>
*[[Curecanti National Recreation Area]]
*[[Dinosaur National Monument]]
*[[Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument]]
*[[Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve]]
*[[Hovenweep National Monument]]
*[[Mesa Verde National Park]] and UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]]
*[[Old Spanish National Historic Trail]]
*[[Pony Express National Historic Trail]]
*[[Rocky Mountain National Park]]
*[[Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site]]
*[[Santa Fe National Historic Trail]]
*[[Yucca House National Monument]]
{{See also|Colorado trails|Colorado scenic and historic byways}}
{{clear}}

== Sports ==
[[File:Coors field 1.JPG|thumb|upright|The [[Colorado Rockies]] [[National League]] baseball club at [[Coors Field]] in Denver.]]
[[File:Denver invesco stadium 1.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Sports Authority Field at Mile High]], home of the [[Denver Broncos]] [[National Football League]] club and the [[Denver Outlaws]] [[Major League Lacrosse]] club.]]
[[File:Pepsi Center.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Pepsi Center]] in Denver, home of the [[Denver Nuggets]] [[National Basketball Association]] club, the [[Colorado Avalanche]] [[National Hockey League]] club, and the [[Colorado Mammoth]] [[National Lacrosse League]] club.]]
[[File:Dick's Park.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Dick's Sporting Goods Park]] in [[Commerce City, CO|Commerce City]], home of the [[Colorado Rapids]] [[Major League Soccer]] club.]]
{{main|Sports in Colorado}}
{{see also|Colorado Sports Hall of Fame}}
Colorado is the least populous state with a franchise in each of the [[major professional sports league]]s.

=== Professional sports teams ===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+Professional Sports Clubs based in Colorado<br/><br/>
!Club
!Home
!First game
!Sport
!League
|-
|[[Denver Broncos]]
|[[Denver]]
|align=center|{{nk|19600909|September 9, 1960}}
|[[American football|Football]]
|[[National Football League]]
|-
|[[Denver Barbarians]]
|[[Denver]]
|align=center|{{nk|19670501|Spring 1967}}
|[[Rugby Union]]
|[[Rugby Super League (US)|Rugby Super League]]
|-
|[[Denver Nuggets]]
|[[Denver]]
|align=center|{{nk|19670927|September 27, 1967}}
|Basketball
|[[National Basketball Association]]
|-
|[[Colorado Springs Sky Sox]]
|[[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]]
|align=center|{{nk|19880618|June 18, 1988}}
|Baseball
|[[Minor League Baseball]] (AAA)
|-
|[[Colorado Rockies]]
|[[Denver]]
|align=center|{{nk|19930405|April 5, 1993}}
|Baseball
|[[Major League Baseball]]
|-
|[[Grand Junction Rockies]]
|[[Grand Junction, Colorado|Grand Junction]]
|align=center|{{nk|20120618|June 18, 2012}}
|Baseball
|[[Minor League Baseball]] (Rookie)
|-
|[[Colorado Avalanche]]
|[[Denver]]
|align=center|{{nk|19951006|October 6, 1995}}
|[[Ice hockey]]
|[[National Hockey League]]
|-
|[[Colorado Rapids]]
|[[Commerce City, Colorado|Commerce City]]
|align=center|{{nk|19960413|April 13, 1996}}
|Soccer
|[[Major League Soccer]]
|-
|[[Colorado Mammoth]]
|[[Denver]]
|align=center|{{nk|20030103|January 3, 2003}}
|[[Lacrosse]]
|[[National Lacrosse League]]
|-
|[[Colorado Eagles]]
|[[Loveland, Colorado|Loveland]]
|align=center|{{nk|20031017|October 17, 2003}}
|[[Ice hockey]]
|[[ECHL]]
|-
|[[Denver Outlaws]]
|[[Denver]]
|align=center|{{nk|20060520|May 20, 2006}}
|[[Lacrosse]]
|[[Major League Lacrosse]]
|}

=== College athletics ===
{{main|List of college athletic programs in Colorado}}
The following universities and colleges participate in the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]].
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|+NCAA Division I athletic programs in Colorado<br/><br/>
! Team !! School !! City !! Conference
|-
| [[Air Force Falcons]] || [[United States Air Force Academy]] || [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] || [[Mountain West Conference|Mountain West]]
|-
| [[Colorado Buffaloes]] || [[University of Colorado at Boulder]] || [[Boulder, Colorado|Boulder]] || [[Pacific-12 Conference|Pac 12]]
|-
| [[Colorado College Tigers]] || [[Colorado College]] || [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] || [[Western Collegiate Hockey Association|WCHA]]<ref name=WCHA>The [[Western Collegiate Hockey Association]] is a [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] [[ice hockey]]-only conference.</ref>
|-
| [[Colorado State Rams]] || [[Colorado State University]] || [[Fort Collins, Colorado|Fort Collins]] || [[Mountain West Conference|Mountain West]]
|-
| [[Denver Pioneers]] || [[University of Denver]] || [[Denver]] || [[Western Collegiate Hockey Association|WCHA]]<ref name=WCHA/> and [[Sun Belt Conference|Sun Belt]]
|-
| [[Northern Colorado Bears]] || [[University of Northern Colorado]] || [[Greeley, Colorado|Greeley]] || [[Big Sky Conference|Big Sky]]
|}
{{clear}}

==State symbols==
{{Infobox U.S. state symbols
|Boxwidth = 25em
|Flag = Flag of Colorado.svg
|Name = Colorado
|Amphibian =
|Bird = [[Lark Bunting]]<br />''Calamospiza&nbsp;melanocoryus''
|Butterfly =
|Crustacean =
|Fish = [[Greenback Cutthroat Trout]]<br />''Oncorhynchus&nbsp;clarki&nbsp;somias''
|Flower = [[Rocky Mountain Columbine]]<br />''Aquilegia&nbsp;caerules''
|Grass = [[Blue Grama Grass]]<br />''Bouteloua&nbsp;gracilis''
|Insect = [[Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly]]<br />''Hypaurotis&nbsp;cysaluswas''
|Mammal = [[Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep]]<br />''Ovis&nbsp;canadensis''
|Reptile = [[Western Painted Turtle]]<br />''Chrysemys&nbsp;picta&nbsp;bellii''
|Tree = [[Colorado Blue Spruce]]<br />''Picea&nbsp;pungens''
|Beverage =
|Colors =
|Dance = [[Square Dance]]
|Dinosaur =
|Food =
|Fossil = [[Stegosaurus]]
|Gemstone = [[Aquamarines|Aquamarine]]
|Instrument =
|Mineral = [[Rhodochrosite]]
|Poem =
|StateRock = [[Yule Marble]]
|Shell =
|Ships =
|Slogan =
|Soil = [[Seitz (soil)|Seitz]]
|Song = ''[[Where the Columbines Grow]]<br />[[Rocky Mountain High]]''
|Sport =
|Tartan = [[Colorado State Tartan]]
|Toy =
|Route Marker = Colorado 5.svg
|Quarter = Colorado quarter, reverse side, 2006.jpg
|QuarterReleaseDate = 2006
}}
{{Main|List of Colorado state symbols}}
{{clear}}

==See also==
{{satop|Geography|North America|Northern America|United States|Colorado|Rocky Mountains|Mountains}}
*[[List of federal lands in Colorado]]
*[[List of people from Colorado]]
*[[List of places in Colorado: A–D|List of places in Colorado]]
*[[List of U.S. states]]
*[[Mountain peaks of Colorado]]
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Colorado]]
*[[Southern Rocky Mountains]]
*US state
{{clear}}

{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
{{Refbegin}}
* <cite>Explore Colorado, A Naturalist's Handbook</cite>, The Denver Museum of Natural History and Westcliff Publishers, 1995, ISBN 1-56579-124-X for an excellent guide to the ecological regions of Colorado.
* <cite>The Archeology of Colorado, Revised Edition</cite>, E. Steve Cassells, Johnson Books, Boulder, Colorado, 1997, trade paperback, ISBN 1-55566-193-9.
* <cite>Chokecherry Places, Essays from the High Plains</cite>, Merrill Gilfillan, Johnson Press, Boulder, Colorado, trade paperback, ISBN 1-55566-227-7.
* <cite>[[The Tie That Binds (novel)|The Tie That Binds]]</cite>, [[Kent Haruf]], 1984, hardcover, ISBN 0-03-071979-8, a fictional account of farming in Colorado.
* <cite>Railroads of Colorado: Your Guide to Colorado's Historic Trains and Railway Sites</cite>, Claude Wiatrowski, Voyageur Press, 2002, hardcover, 160 pages, ISBN 0-89658-591-3
{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links}}
{{osmrelation|161961}}
'''State government'''
*[http://www.Colorado.gov/ Colorado state government website]
***[http://www.dot.state.co.us/ Colorado Department of Transportation]
****[http://www.dot.state.co.us/App_DTD_DataAccess/Maps/index.cfm?fuseaction=MapsMain&MenuType=Maps Colorado highway maps]
*****[http://dtdexternal.dot.state.co.us/travelmap/ Colorado Travel Map]
**[http://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/local_governments/counties.html Colorado counties]
**[http://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html Colorado municipalities]
**[http://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/local_governments/lgov_a.html Colorado special districts]
**[http://www.colorado.com/ Colorado tourism]
* [http://www.n2genealogy.com/colorado.html#government Colorado State and County Government Websites]
*[http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/Colorado List of searchable databases produced by Colorado state agencies] hosted by the [http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/Main_Page American Library Association Government Documents Roundtable].
'''Federal government'''
* [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CO Energy & Environmental Data for Colorado]
* [http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=CO USGS Colorado state facts, real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Colorado]
* [http://www.census.gov/ United States Census Bureau]
** [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html Colorado QuickFacts]
** [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=n&_lang=en&qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP3&ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&geo_id=04000US08 Colorado economic data]
** [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=n&_lang=en&qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP4&ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&geo_id=04000US08 Colorado housing data]
** [http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/QTTable?_bm=n&_lang=en&qr_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_DP2&ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&geo_id=04000US08 Colorado social data]
* [http://www.ers.usda.gov/statefacts/co.htm USDA ERS Colorado state facts]
'''Other'''
* {{Wikitravel|Colorado}}
* [http://www.stanwyck.com/cogenweb/cocounties.html Colorado County Evolution]
* [http://www.askcolorado.org/ Ask Colorado]
* [http://www2.census.gov/census_2000/datasets/demographic_profile/Colorado/2kh08.pdf 2000 Census of Population and Housing for Colorado]
* [http://swcoloradowildflowers.com/ Mountain and Desert Plants of Colorado and the Southwest],
* [http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/COLORADO.htm Climate of Colorado]
* {{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Colorado}}
{{Coord|39|N|105.5|W|region:US-CO_type:adm1st_scale:3000000|display=title}}
{{Geographic location| Northwest = {{flag|Idaho}}
| North = {{flag|Wyoming}}
| Northeast = {{flag|Nebraska}}
| West = {{flag|Utah}}
| Centre = ''Colorado'' : [[Outline of Colorado|Outline]] • [[Index of Colorado-related articles|Index]]
| East = {{flag|Kansas}}
| Southwest = {{flag|Arizona}}
| South = {{flag|New Mexico}}
| Southeast = {{flag|Oklahoma}}<br>{{flag|Texas}}
}}

{{Colorado|expanded}}
{{United States}}
{{Colorado cities and mayors of 100,000 population}}
{{succession
| preceded = [[Nebraska]]
| office = [[List of U.S. states by date of statehood]]
| years = Admitted on August 1, 1876 (38th)
| succeeded = [[North Dakota]]
}}
{{United States topics}}

[[Category:Colorado| ]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1876]]
[[Category:States of the United States]]

{{Link FA|sa}}
[[af:Colorado]]
[[ang:Colorado]]
[[ar:كولورادو]]
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[[az:Kolorado]]
[[bn:কলোরাডো]]
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[[be:Штат Каларада]]
[[be-x-old:Каларада]]
[[bcl:Colorado]]
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[[bg:Колорадо]]
[[bo:ཁོ་ལོ་ར་ཌོ།]]
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[[et:Colorado]]
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[[es:Colorado]]
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[[gl:Colorado, Estados Unidos de América]]
[[hak:Khô-lò-là-tô]]
[[xal:Коларад]]
[[ko:콜로라도 주]]
[[haw:Kololako]]
[[hy:Կոլորադո]]
[[hi:कॉलराडो]]
[[hr:Colorado]]
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[[id:Colorado]]
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[[os:Колорадо]]
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[[ka:კოლორადო (შტატი)]]
[[kk:Колорадо]]
[[kw:Kolorado]]
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[[mrj:Колорадо]]
[[lad:Colorado]]
[[la:Coloratum]]
[[lv:Kolorādo]]
[[lb:Colorado (Bundesstaat)]]
[[lt:Koloradas (valstija)]]
[[lij:Colorado]]
[[li:Colorado]]
[[jbo:kolorados]]
[[lmo:Colorado]]
[[hu:Colorado]]
[[mk:Колорадо]]
[[mg:Kolorado]]
[[ml:കൊളറാഡോ]]
[[mi:Colorado]]
[[mr:कॉलोराडो]]
[[arz:كولورادو]]
[[ms:Colorado]]
[[mn:Колорадо]]
[[my:ကော်လိုရာဒိုပြည်နယ်]]
[[nah:Colorado]]
[[nl:Colorado (staat)]]
[[new:कोलोर्‍याडो]]
[[ja:コロラド州]]
[[frr:Colorado]]
[[no:Colorado]]
[[nn:Colorado]]
[[oc:Colorado (estat)]]
[[uz:Kolorado]]
[[pa:ਕੋਲੋਰਾਡੋ]]
[[pnb:کولوراڈو]]
[[pap:Colorado]]
[[pms:Colorado]]
[[tpi:Kolorado]]
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[[qu:Colorado suyu]]
[[ru:Колорадо]]
[[sah:Колорадо (штаат)]]
[[sa:कोलोराडो]]
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[[scn:Coloradu]]
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[[sk:Colorado (štát USA)]]
[[sl:Kolorado]]
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[[ckb:کۆلۆرادۆ]]
[[sr:Колорадо]]
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[[tl:Kolorado]]
[[ta:கொலராடோ]]
[[tt:Колорадо (штат)]]
[[te:కొలరాడో]]
[[th:รัฐโคโลราโด]]
[[chy:Colorado]]
[[tr:Colorado]]
[[uk:Колорадо]]
[[ur:کولوراڈو]]
[[ug:Kolorado Shitati]]
[[vec:Colorado]]
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[[war:Colorado]]
[[yi:קאלאראדא]]
[[yo:Colorado]]
[[diq:Colorado]]
[[bat-smg:Kolorads (valstėjė)]]
[[zh:科羅拉多州]]

Revision as of 20:42, 20 March 2012

Tebow's screwed!!!

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