Colorado THE CENTENNIAL STATE People are always looking up in Colorado The Rocky Mountains cover almost half the state There are dozens of 14ers mountains higher than 14,000 feet 4,267 m more than any other state The Colorado Plateau is filled with canyons and mesas All across Colorado there are minerals to be dug from the Earth cattle to be rounded up and trails to ride Colorado is growing fast The state’s big cities are booming with newcomers who arrive daily They are attracted by growing businesses pleasant weather and adventures around every corner Colorado became a state in 1876 the same year the United States celebrated its 100th birthday That is why it is known as The Centennial State 4 COLORADO
Colorado QUICK FACTS Name Colorado is a Spanish word meaning colored red Early Spanish explorers named the Colorado River the Rio Colorado because of the reddish silt that gives the river its color State Capital Denver population 663,862 Date of Statehood August 1 1876 38th state Population 5,355,866 22nd-most populous state Area Total Land and Water 104,094 square miles 269,602 sq km 8th-largest state Largest City Denver population 663,862 Nickname The Centennial State Motto Nil Sine Numine Nothing Without the Deity State Bird Lark Bunting 6 COLORADO
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA State Flower White and Lavender Columbine Columbine State Gemstone Aquamarine State Tree Colorado Blue Spruce Aquamarine State Songs Where the Columbines Grow and Rocky Mountain High Highest Point Mount Elbert 14 440 feet 4 401 m Lowest Point 3 315 feet 1 010 m on the Arikaree River Blue Spruce Average July High Temperature 83°F 28°C Record High Temperature 114°F 46°C in Las Animas on July 1 1933 and Sedgwick on July 11 1954 Mount Elbert Average January Low Temperature 13°F 11°C Record Low Temperature 61°F 52°C in Maybell on February 1 1985 Average Annual Precipitation 18 inches 46 cm CO Low Point Number of U S Senators 2 Gra om Number of U S Representatives 7 37 U S Postal Service Abbreviation CO QUICK FACTS N
