Colorado

State of Colorado
Flag of Colorado Seal of Colorado Nickname(s): The Centennial State Motto(s): Nil sine numine
Official language(s)	English
Capital	Denver
Largest city	Denver
Area	Ranked 8th
- Total	104,185 sq mi (269,837 km²)
- Width	280 miles (451 km)
- Length	380 miles (612 km)
- % water	0.36%
- latitude	37°N to 41°N
- longitude	102°03'W to 109°03'W
Population	Ranked 22nd
- Total (2000)	4,301,261
- Density	41.5/sq mi  16.01/km² (37th)
- Median income	$51,022 (10th)
Elevation
- Highest point	Mount Elbert[1] 14,440 ft  (4401 m)
- Mean	6,800 ft  (2073 m)
- Lowest point	Arikaree River[1] 3,315 ft  (1010 m)
Admission to Union	August 1, 1876 (38th)
Governor	Bill Ritter (D)
U.S. Senators	Wayne Allard (R) Ken Salazar (D)
Time zone	Mountain: UTC-7/DST-6
Abbreviations	CO US-CO
Web site	www.colorado.gov

The State of Colorado (IPA: /steɪt əv ,kɑlə'ɹɒdoʊ/) is a state in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. Colorado may also be considered to be a part of the Mountain, Southwestern, and Central regions of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the state population was 4,753,377 in 2006, a 10.49% increase since U.S. Census 2000.^[2] Denver is the capital and the most populous city of Colorado. Citizens of colorado are known as Coloradans.

[edit] Geography

Main article: Geography of Colorado

The State of Colorado is defined as the geospherical rectangle that stretches from 37°N to 41°N latitude and from 102°03'W to 109°03'W longitude (25°W to 32°W from the Washington Meridian).^[3] Colorado is one of only three U.S. states (with Wyoming and Utah) that have only lines of latitude and longitude for boundaries.

The summit of Mount Elbert at 4401 meters (14,440 feet) Elevation in Lake County is the state's highest point and the highest point in the entire Rocky Mountains. Colorado has approximately 550 Mountain peaks that exceed 4000 meters (13,123 feet) Elevation. colorado is the only U.S. state that lies entirely above 1000 meters (3281 feet) elevation. The state's lowest elevation is 1010 meters (3315 feet) at the point on the Eastern boundary of Yuma County where the Arikaree River flows into the State of Kansas.

East of the Southern Rocky Mountains are the Colorado Eastern Plains of the High Plains, the section of the Great Plains within Colorado at elevations ranging from 3315 to 6562 feet (1010 to 2000 meters). The states of Kansas and Nebraska border Colorado to the east. the plains are sparsely settled with most population along the South Platte and the Arkansas rivers. Rainfall is meager, averaging from 12 to 18 inches (300 to 450 millimeters) annually. There is some irrigated farming, but much of the land is used for dryland farming or ranching. Winter wheat is a typical crop and most small towns in the region boast both a water tower and a grain elevator.

The bulk of Colorado's population lives along the Eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains in the Front Range Urban Corridor. This region is partially protected from prevailing storms by the high mountains to the West.

To the West lies the Eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains with notable peaks such as Longs Peak, Mount Evans, Pikes Peak, and the Spanish Peaks near Walsenburg in the South. This area drains to the east, is forested, and partially urbanized. With urbanization, utilization of the forest for timbering and grazing was retarded, which resulted in accumulation of fuel. During the drought of 2002 devastating forest fires swept this area.

Map of Colorado - PDF

The Continental Divide stretches across the crest of the Rocky Mountains. To the West of the Continental Divide is the Western Slope. water West of the Continental Divide drains west into the Pacific Ocean via the Colorado River.

Within the interior of the Rocky Mountains are several large Parks or high broad basins. In the north, on the east side of the Continental Divide is North Park. North Park is drained by the North Platte River, which flows north into Wyoming. Just South but on the West side of the Continental Divide is Middle Park, drained by the Colorado River. South Park is the headwaters of the South Platte River. To the south lies the San Luis Valley, the headwaters of the Rio Grande, which drains into New Mexico. 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, and its branches.

the Rocky Mountains within Colorado contain 54 peaks that are 14,000 feet (4270 m) or higher, known as fourteeners. The mountains are timbered with conifers and aspen to the tree-line, at an Elevation of about 12,000 feet (4,000 m) in Southern Colorado to about 10,500 feet (3,200 m) in northern colorado; above this only alpine vegetation grows. The Rockies are snow-covered only in the Winter; most snow melts by mid-August with the exception of a few small glaciers. The Colorado Mineral Belt, stretching from the San Juan Mountains in the southwest to Boulder and Central City on the Front range, contains most of the historic gold- and silver-mining districts of Colorado.

Digital elevation model relief Map of Colorado — nearly half of the state is flat, despite stereotypes

The Western Slope is generally drained by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Notable to the South are the San Juan Mountains, an extremely rugged Mountain range, and to the West of the San Juans, the Colorado Plateau, a high desert bordering Southern Utah. Grand Junction is the largest city on the Western Slope. Grand Junction is served by Interstate Highway I-70. To the southeast of Grand Junction is Grand Mesa, the worlds largest flat-topped Mountain. Further east are the ski resorts of Aspen, Vail, Crested Butte, and Steamboat Springs. The northwestern corner of Colorado bordering northern Utah and Western Wyoming is mostly sparsely populated rangeland.

From West to east, the state consists of desert-like basins, turning into plateaus, then alpine mountains, and then the grasslands of the Great Plains. The famous Pikes Peak is Just West of Colorado Springs. Its lone Peak is visible from near the Kansas border on clear days.

See also: List of Colorado counties, List of Colorado rivers, and List of Colorado National Parks

[edit] Climate

Snowpack accumulation at 14,255 feet (4345 m) on Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The climate of Colorado is best described as being cool and dry compared to the rest of the United States. While that is generally true throughout most of the state, the climate of colorado is very complex. The typical South-north/cooler-warmer variation in other states is generally not applicable at all in Colorado. The climate of a particular locale in Colorado depends not Just on the Elevation and area lies, but also on the movements of air masses in and around the area. The location of Mountain ranges and surrounding valleys affect local climate greatly. As a general rule, with an increase in elevation comes a decrease in temperature and an increase in precipitation. A main climatic division in Colorado occurs where the Rocky Mountains begin with the Front Range cities and the plains to the east, the mountains and valleys to the West, and the foothills as a transitional zone in between the two.

[edit] Eastern Plains

The climate of the Eastern Plains is one of low humidity and moderately low precipitation, usually from 10 to 15 inches (250 to 380 mm) annually. The area is known for its abundant sunshine and cool clear nights, which give this area the highest average diurnal temperature range in the United States. In the summer, this area can have many days above 95 °F (35 °C) and sometimes 100 °F (38 °C) or more. Temperatures in excess of 115 °F (46 °C) in the northeast corner of the state are not uncommon, although 105 °F (41 °C) is the maximum in the Front range cities above 5000 ft (1500 m). 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 in the form of thunderstorms which are often severe. Winters are cold and dry: in much of this region, March and April are the snowiest months. The Front Range cities closer to the mountains tend to be warmer in the Winter due to chinook winds which warm the area, sometimes bringing temperatures up to 60 °F (16 °C) or higher in the Winter. ^[4] The average July temperature is 57 degrees in the morning and 87 degrees in the afternoon.The average January temperature is 15 degrees in the morning and 43 degrees in the afternoon,although temperatures can be 60 one day and 0 the next.

[edit] West of the plains and foothills

West of the plains and foothills, the weather of Colorado is much less uniform. Even places a few miles (kilometers) apart can experience entirely different weather, depending on the topography of the area. Generally, the wettest season is in the Winter in Western colorado while June is the driest month, which is the opposite of the precipitation patterns in the east. The mountains have cool summers with many days of high temperatures around 60 °F (16 °C) and 70 °F (21 °C), although frequent thunderstorms can cause a sudden drop in temperatures. summer nights are cool, and cold at the highest altitudes which can sometimes bring snow even in the middle of the Summer. The Winters bring abundant, powdery snowfall to the mountains which the skiers love, although even in the winter, there can be many days with abundant 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 any warming winds which are common in the Plains and Front Range. Other areas in the west have their own unique weather. The San Luis Valley is generally dry with little rain or snow, although the snow that falls tends to stay on the ground all Winter.

Animas River near Durango, Colorado.

[edit] Extreme weather

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 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. While not as common as some of the states to the east, much of the Eastern Plains are prone to tornadoes, and there have been some damaging tornadoes there. An example is the 1990 Limon F5 tornado which devastated the city. Floods are also a factor in the plains, not Just from the thunderstorms, but also due to heavy snow in the mountains followed by a warm, dry period which swells rivers with melted snow.

[edit] Records

The highest temperature ever recorded in Colorado was 118 °F (48 °C) on 1888-07-11, at Bennett, while the lowest was -61 °F (-52 °C) on 1985-02-01, at Maybell.^[5][6]

[edit] History

Main article: History of Colorado

Colorado state insignia
Motto	Nil sine numine (Latin, "Nothing without Providence")
Slogan	none
Bird	Lark Bunting
Animal	Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
Fish	Greenback cutthroat trout
Insect	Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly
Flower	Rocky Mountain Columbine
Tree	Colorado Spruce or Blue Spruce
Song	"Where the Columbines Grow", "Rocky Mountain High"[7]
Quarter	Released in 2006
Grass	Blue grama
Fossil	Stegosaurus
Gemstone	Aquamarine
Mineral	Rhodochrosite
Rock	Yule Marble
Tartan	Colorado State Tartan

The word "Colorado" was selected by Congress in 1861 as the name for the Colorado Territory that is today a state. The name has its origins in the Spanish language, where it is directly translated as "colored red".^[8] It is named after the Colorado River (Río Colorado), itself named after its reddish-brown color.

The territory that ultimately became Colorado was added to the United States by the 1803 Louisiana Purchase and the 1848 Mexican Cession.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, including what is now much of Colorado.

The Pike's Peak Gold Rush of 1859 (see also Fifty-Niner) brought many settlers to the Denver area. A convention was held to organize the provisional Jefferson Territory, but an official break from the Kansas Territory did not happen until 1861.

The Colorado Territory was organized as a United States territory on 28 February 1861, with President Buchanan signing an Act of Congress to that effect.

Colorado attained statehood on 1 August 1876, earning it the moniker the "Centennial State".

Colorado women were granted the right to vote starting on 7 November 1893.

Three different ships have been named USS Colorado in honor of this state.

Colorado is the only state to refuse the opportunity to host the Olympics.

[edit] Demographics

The state's capital and largest city is Denver; the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area, home to 2.5 million people, contains over half of the state's population. Residents of Colorado are often referred to as Coloradans or Coloradoans.^[9]

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 from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 112,217 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 47,740 people.

According to estimates made in 2004, Colorado's population will increase to 7,150,000 by 2030 [3]. The largest increases are expected along the Front Range, especially in the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area.

As of 2004, 441,000 foreign-born persons (9.7% of the population) live in the state, including an estimated 144,000 illegal immigrants (3.1% of the state population).

The center of population of Colorado is located Just north of the town of Critchell in Jefferson County [4] [5].

Colorado Population Density Map

Colorado has one of the highest proportions of Hispanic residents of any U.S. state; only five states have a higher percentage. Denver and some other areas have significant Mexican populations, while Southern Colorado has a large number of Hispanos, the descendants of early New Mexican settlers of colonial Spanish origin. The 2000 U.S. Census reports that 10.52% of people aged 5 and over in Colorado speak Spanish at home [6].

According to the 2000 Census, the largest ancestry groups in Colorado are German (22%), Irish (12.2%), and English (12%). Persons reporting German ancestry are the largest group in the state and are especially strong in the Front Range and Eastern Plains. people of British extraction are the largest group in the Western Rocky Mountains.

[edit] Religion

Colorado, specifically the city of Colorado Springs, serves as the headquarters of numerous Christian groups, most of them Protestant. Focus on the Family is a major conservative Christian organization headquartered in the state. Catholicism is popular among many Coloradans, and is becoming more so with the influx of Latino immigrants. Colorado is similar to other Western states, as it has a high percentage of religiously unaffiliated residents. The Denver area, meanwhile, is home to a large Jewish population, and Boulder and Crestone feature some of the highest concentrations of Tibetan Buddhists in north America.^{[citation needed]}

According to the American Religious Identification Survey, conducted in 2001 by The Graduate center at the City University of New York, Colorado's population is distributed among the following religious groups:^[10]

• Christian – 65%
  • Protestant – 31%
    • Baptist – 8%
    • Methodist – 5%
    • Lutheran – 5%
    • Episcopalian – 3%
    • Presbyterian – 3%
    • Pentecostal – 2%
    • Churches of Christ – 2%
    • Other Protestant – 2%
    • Evangelical – 1%
  • Roman Catholic – 23%
  • Jehovah's Witness – 1%
  • Seventh-day Adventist – 1%
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – 2%
  • Other Christian – 9%
• Non-Religious/Atheist/Agnostic – 21%
• Buddhist – 1%
• Jewish – 1%
• Non-demoninational – 1%
• Other Religions – 3%
• Refused (