The Colorado Portal

Colorado is the state of the United States of America that encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the high western edge of the Great Plains. Admitted to the Union on August 1, 1876, Colorado became the 38th U.S. state. Colorado ranks 21st in population, eighth in total area, and first in mean elevation among the 50 U.S. states. Fifty-five of the 124 highest major mountain peaks of North America rise in Colorado. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the population of the State of Colorado was 5,829,926 on July 1, 2022, an increase of 1.15% since the 2020 United States census. Denver is the state capital, the most populous city, and the heart of the most populous metropolitan area of the Rocky Mountain Region. Colorado Springs is the state's second most populous city. While the population of the Front Range Urban Corridor now exceeds five million, many rugged portions of the state remain pristine wilderness.

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State of Colorado

Class 2. John Hickenlooper (D) (2021–)
Class 3. Michael Bennet (D) (2009–)
1. Diana DeGette (D) (1997–)
2. Joe Neguse (D) (2019–)
3. Lauren Boebert (R) (2021–)
4. Ken Buck (R) (2015–)
5. Doug Lamborn (R) (2007–)
6. Jason Crow (D) (2019–)
7. Brittany Pettersen (D) (2023-)
8. Yadira Caraveo (D) (2023–)

State Symbols

State flag: Flag of the State of Colorado                State seal: Great Seal of the State of Colorado
State motto: NIL SINE NUMINE (Latin: Nothing without providence)
State nickname: The Centennial State
State slogan: Colorful Colorado
State amphibian: Western Tiger Salamander
(Ambystoma mavortium)
State bird: Lark Bunting
(Calamospiza melanocoryus Stejneger)
State cactus: Claret Cup Cactus
(Echinocereus triglochidiatus)
State fish: Greenback Cutthroat Trout
(Oncorhynchus clarki somias)
State flower: Rocky Mountain Columbine
(Aquilegia caerulea)
State grass: Blue Grama
(Bouteloua gracilis)
State insect: Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly
(Hypaurotis cysaluswas)
State mammal: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
(Ovis canadensis)
State pets: Colorado shelter pets
(Canis lupus familiaris & Felis catus)
State reptile: Western Painted Turtle
(Chrysemys picta bellii)
State tree: Colorado Blue Spruce
(Picea pungens)
State fossil: Stegosaurus
(Stegosaurus armatus)
State gemstone: Aquamarine
State mineral: Rhodochrosite
State rock: Yule Marble
State soil: Seitz soil
State folk dance: Square Dance
State ship: USS Colorado (SSN-788)
State songs: Where the Columbines Grow & Rocky Mountain High
State sport: Pack Burro Racing
State highway route marker:
Route marker for Colorado State Highway 5
State tartan:
Colorado State Tartan
Commemorative U.S. coin:
Commemorative U.S. stamp:
Colorado Statehood stamp

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A map of the United States of America with the State of Colorado highlighted.

This is a list of National Natural Landmarks in the U.S. state of Colorado.

There are 16 National Natural Landmarks in Colorado, one of which extends into Wyoming. They cover areas of geological, biological and historical importance, and include lakes, mountains, rock formations and numerous fossil sites. The landmarks are located in 14 of the state's 64 counties. Four counties each contain all or part of two NNLs, while two landmarks are split between two counties. The first two designations, Slumgullion Earthflow and Summit Lake, were made in 1965, while the most recent designation, Sulphur Cave and Spring, was made in 2021. Natural Landmarks in Colorado range from 60 to 380,000 acres (24.3 to 153,780.5 ha; 0.1 to 593.8 sq mi) in size. Owners include private individuals and several municipal, state and federal agencies. (Full article...)

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Robert Williamson Steele
Robert Williamson Steele
Robert Williamson Steele (January 14, 1820 – February 7, 1901) was governor of the extralegal Territory of Jefferson, which existed in the western United States from 1859 to 1861, when it was replaced by the Territory of Colorado.
This section is an excerpt from Robert Williamson Steele § Territorial Governor.[]

On September 29, 1859, Steele was nominated for Governor of the proposed Territory of Jefferson. On October 24, 1859 the formation of a provisional government was approved and Steele defeated J.H. St. Matthew for Governor.

Governor Steele opened the first session of the provisional territorial legislature on November 7, 1859, with a proclamation:

Let us then enter upon our duties with a determination of spirit that conquers all difficulties: working for the benefit of the whole commonwealth, encouraging moderation and conservation in all our acts, that we may never be ashamed of having taken an humble part of the organization of a Provisional Government for the Territory of Jefferson.

Steele called for the next session to meet on January 23, 1860.

(Full article...)

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Williams with the North Carolina Courage in 2023

Ryan Emilie Williams (born February 23, 1996) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for the North Carolina Courage, a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) club.

Williams was born in Centennial, Colorado, and attended Cherry Creek High School, winning the 5A state championship as a sophomore. She also played club soccer with the Colorado Rush and became highly ranked in the region for recruiting. She committed to Texas Christian University (TCU) in 2014, playing 80 matches over the span of four years. Williams scored one goal and recorded 15 assists with the Horned Frogs. (Full article...)
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A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie
A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie
A Storm in the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rosalie
A painting by Albert Bierstadt, 1866

National Parks in Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park

The 23 national parks in Colorado:

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A view of Denver, the mile high city
  • The official elevation of City and County of Denver is precisely one mile (5,280 feet = 1,609.344 m) above sea level. When the United States National Geodetic Survey determined that Denver was actually 36.10 inches (917 mm) higher than previously thought, the city merely lowered its elevation reference point on the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol by the difference to remain the Mile-High City. Most of Denver is actually more than one mile above sea level.
  • The point where the Arikaree River flows out of the state at 3,317 feet (1,011 m) elevation is the lowest point in Colorado, and the highest low point of any U.S. state.
  • The Town of Holly with a town center elevation of 3,392 feet (1,034 m) is the lowest municipality in Colorado.
  • The City of Wray with a city center elevation of 3,566 feet (1,087 m) is the lowest incorporated city in Colorado.
  • Denver is only the third highest U.S. state capital after Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
  • Denver is the highest U.S. city with a population of at least 600,000.
  • Colorado Springs is the highest U.S. city with a population of at least 100,000.
  • The mean elevation of Colorado is 6,800 feet (2,070 m), highest of all 50 U.S. states.
  • The City of Leadville with a city center elevation of 10,152 feet (3,094 m) is the highest incorporated city in the United States.
  • The Town of Alma with a town center elevation of 10,578 feet (3,224 m) is the highest incorporated town in the United States.

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