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Colorado
More About Colorado State
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Pages: Denver | | |
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gorges, rainbow-colored canyons, mysterious mesas, and other strange and beautiful landmass variations carved by ancient glaciers and eons of erosion by wind, rain, and water. Great mountains of shifting sand lie trapped by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Great Sand Dunes National Monument (see also); fossils 140 million years old lie in the quarries of Dinosaur National Monument (see also).
Colorado produces more tin, molybdenum, uranium, granite, sandstone, and basalt than any other state. The mountain area also ranks high in production of coal, gold, and silver; the state as a whole has vast deposits of brick clay and oil. Its extensively irrigated plateaus and plains are good grazing lands for stock and rich producers of potatoes, wheat, corn, sugar beets, cauliflower, fruit, and flowers.
Spaniards penetrated the area by the mid-1500s. American exploration of the area first took place in 1806, three years after a good portion of the region became American property through the Louisiana Purchase. The leader of the party was Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike, for whom Pikes Peak is named. Pike pronounced the 14,110-foot mountain unclimbable. Today, one may drive to the top on a good gravel highway (first 5 miles paved). Colorado became a territory in 1861 and earned its "Centennial State" nickname by becoming a state in 1876, 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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Colorado
Statistics & Vital Data |  |
| Population: | 4301261 |
| Area: | 104,100 square miles |
| Timezone: | Mountain |
| Elevation: | 3,350-14,433 feet |
| High
point: | Mount Elbert (Lake County) |
| Joined
Union: | August 1, 1876 (38th state) |
| State
Capital: | Denver |
| State
Motto: | "Nothing without providence" |
| State
Flower: | Rocky Mountain Columbine |
| State
Bird: | Lark Bunting |
| State
Tree: | Colorado Blue Spruce |
| State
Fair: | August in Pueblo |
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Colorado Events >> | | View
Colorado Attractions >> |
Colorado Parks, Recreation Areas, & Historical Landmarks:
State Parks - Water-related activities, hiking, riding, various other sports, picnicking, and visitor centers, as well as camping, are available in many of Colorado's parks. Interpretive and watchable wildlife programs are available as well. A parks pass is required, good for driver and passengers; annual pass, $50; 1-day pass, $3-$6/car. Passes are available at self-service dispensers at all state parks and park offices. Camping is available in most parks. Reservations can be made by phoning 303/470-1144 or 800/678-2267 from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Mon-Fri. Reservations cost $7 and a campground fee of $6-$16 is charged, depending on the services offered. Electrical hookups are $5-$8 per night. Fishing, camping, and picnicking are possible in most parks. For further information or a free Colorado State Parks Guide, contact Colorado State Parks, 1313 Sherman #618, Denver 80203; phone 303/866-3437; Web parks.states.co.us.
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list of all parks in Colorado >> | |
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Colorado
Weather and Climate:
Most of Colorado falls in a semiarid climate zone. Springs are short; summers are dry. Winters are surprisingly mild along the Front Range, but annual snowfall in the mountains often exceeds 20 feet. | |
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Fishing/Hunting
Opportunities in Colorado:
Nonresident fishing licenses: annual $40.25; 5-day, $18.25; 1-day, $5.25; additional 1-day stamp, $5; second-rod stamp, $4. Many varieties of trout can be found in Colorado: rainbow and brown in most streams, lakes, and western Colorado River, brook in all mountain streams, and cutthroat in most mountain lakes. Mackinaw can be found in many lakes and reservoirs. Kokanee salmon are also found in many reservoirs. Nonresident hunting licenses: elk, $250.25; deer, $150.25; small game, $40.25. For information about regulations, write to the Division of Wildlife, 6060 Broadway, Denver 80216; or phone 303/297-1192. | |
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| | Additional Colorado Visitor Information:
Colorado Outdoors magazine is published six times a year by the State Department of Wildlife, 6060 Broadway, Denver 80216; phone 303/297-1192. Colorado, Official State Vacation Guide is available from the Colorado Travel & Tourism Authority, PO Box 3524, Englewood 80155; phone 800/COLORADO. A pamphlet on guest ranches is available from the Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association, PO Box 2120, Granby 80446; phone 970/724-3653.
Seven welcome centers in Colorado provide brochures and travel information. They are located at I-70 westbound in Burlington, I-70 eastbound in Fruita, US 40 eastbound in Dinosaur, I-25 northbound in Trinidad, US 160/666 northbound in Cortez, US 50 westbound in Lamar, and I-76 westbound in Julesburg.
Gold mining towns abound in Colorado, as they do in many western states. Though not all towns can be reached by passenger cars, Colorado has developed the Jeep tour to great advantage. Information about ghost towns and Jeep trips is listed under Breckenridge, Gunnison, Ouray, Salida, and Silverton. |
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