Colorado State Facts
Capital - Denver
Established - August 1, 1876, the 38th state, 8th largest state—104,100 sq. mile area
Motto - Nothing without Providence
Nickname - Centennial State or Silver State
Song - Where the Columbine grows
Bird - Lark Bunting
Tree - Colorado Blue Spruce
Fish - Greenback cut throat trout
Animal - Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep
Gem-Aquamarine
Flower - Columbine
Highest Point - Mt. Elbert at 14,440 feet
Population - 4,301,261
Colorado is Spanish for the color red & refers to the muddy Colorado River
Colorado History
Although Spain was the 1st to cross its borders (mid-1500’s), Americans did not explore its bounties until 1806 when it was acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The first “explorers” were led by Lt. Zebulon M. Pike, for whom 14,110 Pike’s Peak is named. In 1858, gold was discovered near what is now Denver, and soon settlers were populating the state. Later on, silver was found and even more people came and set up numerous mining camps nestled in the slopes of the Rockies.
Colorado finally became a territory in 1862 and became a state in 1876, hence the nickname, “The Centennial State” since it was 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Photo by One of Them |
