Arikah Map

Colorado

This article is about the U.S. State. For other uses, see Colorado (disambiguation).
State of Colorado
Colorado:Flag of Colorado Colorado:State seal of Colorado
Flag of Colorado Seal of Colorado
Nickname(s): The Centennial State
Motto(s): Nil sine numine
Colorado:Map of the United States with Colorado highlighted
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°W to 109°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]
14,433 ft  (4,402 m)
 - Mean 6,800 ft  (2,100 m)
 - Lowest point Arikaree River[1]
3,315 ft  (1,011 m)
Admission to Union  August 1, 1876 (38th)
Governor Bill Owens (R)
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

Colorado is a state in the western United States. Denver is the capital and the most populous city of Colorado. The state's population was estimated to be 4,665,177 as of 2005.[2] Colorado is also considered to be a part of the Mountain, Southwestern, and Central regions of the country. Residents of Colorado are known as Coloradans.


Contents

Geography

Main article: Geography of Colorado

Colorado is one of only three states (the others are Wyoming and Utah) that have only lines of latitude and longitude for borders. The state stretches from 37°N to 41°N latitude, and from 102°02'43"W to 109°102°02'43"W longitude.

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 (1,010 to 2,000 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 and the I-70 corridor. 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 major cities and towns lie just east of the Front Range, in the I-25 corridor. The majority of the population of Colorado lives in this densely urbanized strip.

To the west lay the Front Range 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.

Colorado:Map of Colorado - PDF
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Map of Colorado - PDF

To the west of the Front Range lies the Continental Divide. To the west of the Continental Divide is the Western Slope. Water west of the Continental Divide drains 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.

Colorado:Digital elevation model relief map of Colorado — nearly half of the state is flat, despite stereotypes
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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. Mount Elbert is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains within the continental United States. 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

Climate

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

The climate of the Eastern Plains is one of low humidity and moderately low precipitation, usually from 10 to 15 inches 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 and sometimes 100 °F or more. It is not unheard of for there to be temperatures in excess of 115 °F in the northeast corner of the state, although 105 °F is the maximum in the front range cities above 5000'. 3/4 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 or higher in the winter. [3]

West of the plains and foothills, the weather of Colorado is much less uniform. Even places a few miles 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 ° and 70 °F, 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.

Severe 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.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Colorado was 118 °F in Bennett, while the lowest was -61 °F at Maybell.

History

Main article: History of Colorado
Colorado state insignia
Common to nearly all states
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"
Quarter Colorado:Colorado quarter
Released in 2006
Less common
Grass Blue grama
Dance Square dance
Fossil Stegosaurus
Gemstone Aquamarine
Mineral Rhodochrosite
Rock Yule Marble
Tartan to be added

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." [4] 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 Colorado 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 didn't happen until 1861. The Colorado Territory was organized as a United States territory on February 28, 1861, lame duck President Buchanan signing an Act of Congress. Colorado attained statehood August 1, 1876, (earning it the moniker the "Centennial State"). Colorado women were granted the right to vote starting on November 7, 1893.

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

Pronunciation

"Colorado" is pronounced many different ways. Those born and raised in Colorado commonly pronounce it "Call-oh-rod-oh" /ˌkɑloˈrɑdo/) or "Call-uh-rad-oh" /ˌkɑləˈrædo/), based on the Spanish pronunciation. Meanwhile, people from the eastern and northern United States and eastern Canada commonly say "Call-oh-rad-oh" (in IPA, (/ˌkɑloˈrædo/).

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.

<tr><td align="center"> 1860 </td><td align="right"> 34,277 </td><td align="right"> -</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1870 </td><td align="right"> 39,864 </td><td align="right"> 16.3%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1880 </td><td align="right"> 194,327 </td><td align="right"> 387.5%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1890 </td><td align="right"> 413,249 </td><td align="right"> 112.7%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1900 </td><td align="right"> 539,700 </td><td align="right"> 30.6%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1910 </td><td align="right"> 799,024 </td><td align="right"> 48.0%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1920 </td><td align="right"> 939,629 </td><td align="right"> 17.6%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1930 </td><td align="right"> 1,035,791 </td><td align="right"> 10.2%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1940 </td><td align="right"> 1,123,296 </td><td align="right"> 8.4%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1950 </td><td align="right"> 1,325,089 </td><td align="right"> 18.0%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1960 </td><td align="right"> 1,753,947 </td><td align="right"> 32.4%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1970 </td><td align="right"> 2,207,259 </td><td align="right"> 25.8%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1980 </td><td align="right"> 2,889,964 </td><td align="right"> 30.9%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1990 </td><td align="right"> 3,294,394 </td><td align="right"> 14.0%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 2000 </td><td align="right"> 4,301,261 </td><td align="right"> 30.6%</td></tr>

The state's capital and largest city is Denver, Colorado; 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.[5]

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 [2]. 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 aliens (3.1% of the state population).

The center of population of Colorado is located just north of the town of Critchell in Jefferson County [3] [4].

Demographics of Colorado (csv)
By raceWhiteBlackAIANAsianNHPI
AIAN is American Indian or Alaskan Native   -   NHPI is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
2000 (total population) 92.23% 4.55% 1.91% 2.84% 0.25%
2000 (Hispanic only) 16.20% 0.37% 0.64% 0.14% 0.05%
2005 (total population) 91.91% 4.74% 1.83% 3.19% 0.26%
2005 (Hispanic only) 18.46% 0.48% 0.61% 0.18% 0.06%
Growth 2000-2005 (total population) 8.09% 13.03% 3.85% 22.08% 15.47%
Growth 2000-2005 (non-Hispanic only) 4.78% 10.67% 3.75% 21.14% 11.70%
Growth 2000-2005 (Hispanic only) 23.60% 39.64% 4.05% 40.04% 29.23%
Colorado:Colorado Population Density Map
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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.

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.

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. 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.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Colorado
Colorado:Corn production in Colorado.
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Corn production in Colorado.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that the total state product in 2003 was $187 billion. Per capita personal income in 2003 was $34,561, putting Colorado eighth in the nation. To see a 2004 per capita personal income comparison table on a state basis [5]. The state's economy broadened from its mid-19th century roots in mining when irrigated agriculture developed, and by the late 19th century, raising livestock had become important. Early industry was based on the extraction and processing of minerals and agricultural products. Current agricultural products are cattle, wheat, dairy products, corn, and hay.

The federal government is also a major economic force in the state with many important federal facilities including NORAD and the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs; NOAA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder; U.S. Geological Survey and other government agencies at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood; the Denver Mint and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver; and a federal Supermax Prison and other federal prisons near Cañon City. There are of course various other federal agencies and federally owned lands in the state, especially with Colorado's abundant National Forests and four National Parks. There are also numerous private companies that have operations in Colorado that deal with the governmental agencies in the state.

Colorado:Booming state capital Denver is home to "Wall Street of the West".
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Booming state capital Denver is home to "Wall Street of the West".

In the second half of the 20th century, the industrial and service sectors have expanded greatly. The state's economy is diversified and is notable for its concentration of scientific research and high-technology industries. Other industries include food processing, transportation equipment, machinery, chemical products, minerals such as gold and molybdenum, and tourism. Denver is an important financial center.

Colorado has a flat 4.63% income tax, regardless of income level. Unlike most states, which calculate taxes based on federal adjusted gross income, Colorado taxes are based on taxable income - income after federal exemptions and federal itemized (or standard) deductions.[6][7] Colorado's state sales tax is 2.9% on retail sales. Full-year Colorado residents can claim excess a sales tax refund on their individual state income tax return. Many counties and cities charge their own rates in addition to the base state rate. There are also certain county and special district taxes that may apply. The most common special district taxes are:

Real estate and personal business property are taxable in Colorado. The state's senior property tax exemption was temporarily suspended by the Colorado Legislature in 2003. The tax break is scheduled to return for assessment year 2006, payable in 2007.

Transportation

Colorado:A Colorado state highway sign.
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A Colorado state highway sign.
Main article: List of Colorado State Highways

Law and government

Colorado:Colorado State Capitol in Denver
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Colorado State Capitol in Denver
Presidential elections results
Year Republican Democratic
200451.69% 1,101,25547.02% 1,001,732
200050.75% 883,74542.39% 738,227
199645.80% 691,84844.43% 671,152
199235.87% 562,85040.13% 629,681
198853.06% 728,17745.28% 621,453
198463.44% 821,81835.12% 454,974
198055.07% 652,26431.07% 367,973
197654.05% 584,36742.58% 460,353
197262.61% 597,19834.59% 329,980
196850.46% 409,34541.32% 335,174
196438.19% 296,76761.27% 476,024
196054.63% 402,24244.91% 330,629

Like the majority of the states, Colorado's current constitution provides for three branches of government: the legislative, executive and judicial branches. The legislative body is the General Assembly made up of two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives has 65 members and the Senate has 35. Currently, Democrats are in control of both chambers of the General Assembly. The 2005 Colorado General Assembly is the first to be controlled by the Democrats in forty years.

Colorado is considered a very independent state politically, having elected 17 Democrats and 12 Republicans to the governorship in the last 100 years. The state supported Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992, and the Republican presidential nominees in 1996 and 2000. Recently, the state appears to be going more towards the center. George W. Bush won the state's 9 electoral votes in 2004 by a margin of 5 percentage points with 51.7% of the vote, considerably less than the 9% margin Bush won by in 2000, however this can be largely attributed to the 5% of the vote Ralph Nader won in 2000. Nearly all of these votes went to Democrat John Kerry in 2004. [6]. Democrats also gained in every open seat race in the state, picking up a seat in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Democrats are strongest in metropolitan Denver, Boulder, and southern Colorado (including Pueblo, and a few western ski resort counties). Republicans are strongest in the rural plains region, Colorado Springs, the Western Slope (including Grand Junction), and some of the Denver suburbs, especially in the southern and western parts of the metropolitan area. The fastest growing parts of the state, particularly Douglas, Elbert and Weld counties in metro Denver, are strongly Republican.

The two U.S. Senators from Colorado are Wayne Allard (R), and Ken Salazar (D). The governor heads the state's executive branch. The current governor of Colorado is Bill Owens (R). See: List of Colorado Governors

Colorado is made up primarily of transplanted citizens, and this is illustrated by the fact that the state has not had a native-born governor since 1975 (when John David Vanderhoof left office) and -- until Bill Ritter's election in November 2006 -- had not elected one since 1958, in the person of Stephen L.R. McNichols. Vanderhoof ascended from the Lieutenant Governorship when John Arthur Love was given a position in Richard Nixon's administration in 1973.) Bill Owens is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. Owens is term-limited, and his successor was elected in November 2006. Bill Ritter (D), a humanitarian missionary worker in Africa and former Denver District Attorney, defeated former congressman and banker Bob Beauprez (R) in the 2006 gubernatorial election.


See also: United States presidential election, 2004, in Colorado

Metropolitan Areas

The United States Census Bureau has defined seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas, seven Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and one Combined Statistical Area for the State of Colorado.

United States Census Bureau Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas of Colorado[8]
Census Area County 2005 Population
Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area City and County of Denver, Colorado 557,917
Arapahoe County, Colorado 529,090
Jefferson County, Colorado 526,801
Adams County, Colorado 399,426
Douglas County, Colorado 249,416
City and County of Broomfield, Colorado 43,478
Elbert County, Colorado 22,788
Park County, Colorado 16,949
Clear Creek County, Colorado 9,197
Gilpin County, Colorado 4,932
Total 2,359,994
Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area El Paso County, Colorado 565,582
Teller County, Colorado 21,918
Total 587,500
Boulder Metropolitan Statistical Area Boulder County, Colorado 280,440
Fort Collins-Loveland Metropolitan Statistical Area Larimer County, Colorado 271,927
Greeley Metropolitan Statistical Area Weld County, Colorado 228,943
Pueblo Metropolitan Statistical Area Pueblo County, Colorado 151,322
Grand Junction Metropolitan Statistical Area Mesa County, Colorado 129,872
Edwards Micropolitan Statistical Area Eagle County, Colorado 55,268
Cañon City Micropolitan Statistical Area Fremont County, Colorado 47,766
Durango Micropolitan Statistical Area La Plata County, Colorado 47,452
Montrose Micropolitan Statistical Area Montrose County, Colorado 37,482
Fort Morgan Micropolitan Statistical Area Morgan County, Colorado 27,995
Silverthorne Micropolitan Statistical Area Summit County, Colorado 24,892
Sterling Micropolitan Statistical Area Logan County, Colorado 20,719


The Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area includes the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area, the Boulder Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the Greeley Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area[9][8]
Census Area County 2005 Population
Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area City and County of Denver, Colorado 557,917
Arapahoe County, Colorado 529,090
Jefferson County, Colorado 526,801
Adams County, Colorado 399,426
Douglas County, Colorado 249,416
City and County of Broomfield, Colorado 43,478
Elbert County, Colorado 22,788
Park County, Colorado 16,949
Clear Creek County, Colorado 9,197
Gilpin County, Colorado 4,932
Boulder Metropolitan Statistical Area Boulder County, Colorado 280,440
Greeley Metropolitan Statistical Area Weld County, Colorado 228,943
Total 2,869,377


In 2005, 61.5% of Coloradans lived in the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area, 83.2% of Coloradans lived in one of the six Front Range Metropolitan Statistical Areas, and 91.6% of Coloradans lived in either a Metropolitan Statistical Area or a Micropolitan Statistical Area.

The five Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) in Colorado are the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG), the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO), the Pueblo Area Council of Governments (PACOG), and the Grand Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (GVMPO).

See also: Front Range Urban Corridor

Cities and Towns

The State of Colorado has 271 active incorporated cities and towns[10] and 85 United States Census Designated Places.[11]

Cities and Towns of Population 10,000 or More

Colorado Cities and Towns of Population 10,000 or More[12]
Rank City Census Area 2005 Population
1 City and County of Denver Denver-Aurora 557,917
2 City of Colorado Springs Colorado Springs 369,815
3 City of Aurora Denver-Aurora 297,235
4 City of Lakewood Denver-Aurora 140,671
5 City of Fort Collins Fort Collins-Loveland 128,026
6 City of Thornton Denver-Aurora & Greeley 105,182
7 City of Westminster Denver-Aurora 105,084
8 City of Arvada Denver-Aurora 103,966
9 City of Pueblo Pueblo 103,495
10 City of Centennial Denver-Aurora 98,243
11 City of Boulder Boulder 91,685
12 City of Greeley Greeley 87,596
13 City of Longmont Boulder & Greeley 81,818
14 City of Loveland Fort Collins-Loveland 59,563
15 City of Grand Junction Grand Junction 45,299
16 City and County of Broomfield Denver-Aurora 43,478
17 City of Littleton Denver-Aurora 40,396
18 Town of Parker Denver-Aurora 38,428
19 Town of Castle Rock Denver-Aurora 35,745
20 City of Commerce City Denver-Aurora 34,189
21 City of Northglenn Denver-Aurora & Greeley 32,906
22 City of Englewood Denver-Aurora 32,350
23 City of Wheat Ridge Denver-Aurora 31,242
24 City of Brighton Denver-Aurora & Greeley 28,013
25 City of Lafayette Boulder 23,884
26 City of Fountain Colorado Springs 19,081
27 City of Louisville Boulder 18,358
28 City of Evans Greeley 17,470
29 City of Golden Denver-Aurora 17,366
30 City of Cañon City Cañon City 16,000
31 City of Durango Durango 15,501
32 City of Montrose Montrose 15,479
33 Town of Windsor Greeley & Fort Collins-Loveland 14,874
34 City of Greenwood Village Denver-Aurora 12,817
35 City of Sterling Sterling 12,589
36 Town of Erie Boulder & Greeley 12,351
37 City of Federal Heights Denver-Aurora 11,706
38 City of Fort Morgan Fort Morgan 10,844
39 Town of Superior Boulder & Denver-Aurora 10,308


Notable Cities and Towns of Population Less Than 10,000

Notable Unincorporated Places


See also: List of cities in Colorado

National Parks

National Parks in Colorado:

Education

Colleges and universities in Colorado:

Professional sports teams

As of 2005, Colorado was the least populous state with a franchise in each of the major professional sports leagues. In fact, as of the 2000 census, Colorado was also the least populous state to have more than one major league team. The state is able to support the teams because it contains a large metropolitan area with a much higher population than any other city within 550 miles (885 kilometers). Therefore, many of the residents in the surrounding states support the teams in Denver, as shown by the reach of the Broncos' radio network.[7]

Major league teams

Other teams

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Elevations and Distances in the United States. U.S Geological Survey (29 April 2005). Retrieved on November 3, 2006.
  2. ^ Annual Estimates of the Population for the United States and States, and for Puerto Rico: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 21 2006). Retrieved on December 1, 2006.
  3. ^ [1] Western Regional Climate Center. Last accessed October 24, 2006.
  4. ^ State of Colorado - Division of Information Technologies. State Names and Nicknames. Retrieved on 2006-11-15.
  5. ^ Merriam Webster. Definition of Colorado. Retrieved on 2006-09-26.
  6. ^ Colorado individual income tax return (2005) http://www.revenue.state.co.us/PDF/05104f.pdf, retrieved September 26, 2006
  7. ^ U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (2005) http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf#search=%22form%201040%20site%3Airs.gov%22, retrieved September 26, 2006
  8. ^ a b CBSA-EST2005-alldata: Population Estimates and Estimated Components of Change for Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas and Their Geographic Components: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (August 18 2006). Retrieved on December 1, 2006.
  9. ^ CSA-EST2005-alldata: Population Estimates and Estimated Components of Change for Combined Statistical Areas and Their Geographic Components: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (August 18 2006). Retrieved on December 1, 2006.
  10. ^ Active Colorado Municipalities as of September 18, 2006 (HTML). State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs (September 18, 2006). Retrieved on November 27, 2006.
  11. ^ Census 2000 Places (text file). Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (January 1 2000). Retrieved on November 27, 2006.
  12. ^ Table 4: Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Colorado, Listed Alphabetically: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 (CSV). 2005 Population Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division (June 20 2006). Retrieved on December 1, 2006.

Further reading

  • Explore Colorado, A Naturalist's Handbook, The Denver Museum of Natural History and Westcliff Publishers, 1995, ISBN 1-56579-124-X for an excellent guide to the ecological regions of Colorado.
  • The Archeology of Colorado, Revised Edition, E. Steve Cassells, Johnson Books, Boulder, Colorado, 1997, trade paperback, ISBN 1-55566-193-9.
  • Chokecherry Places, Essays from the High Plains, Merrill Gilfillan, Johnson Press, Boulder, Colorado, trade paperback, ISBN 1-55566-227-7.
  • The Tie That Binds, Kent Haruf, 1984, hardcover, ISBN 0-03-071979-8, a fictional account of farming in Colorado.
  • Railroads of Colorado: Your Guide to Colorado's Historic Trains and Railway Sites, Claude Wiatrowski, Voyageur Press, 2002, hardcover, 160 pages, ISBN 0-89658-591-3
Colorado:The Flag of Colorado
State of Colorado
Denver (Capital)
Topics

History | Economy | Geography | Images | Law & Government | National Parks | Rivers | Highways | Coloradans (Category) | Project Colorado

Anthems

Where the Columbines Grow (Official) | Rocky Mountain High (Popular)

Regions

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Colorado:Flag of the United States.svg Political divisions of the United States
Capital District of Columbia
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Minor outlying islands Baker Island | Howland Island | Jarvis Island | Johnston Atoll | Kingman Reef | Midway Atoll | Navassa Island | Palmyra Atoll | Wake Island

Categories


Articles lacking sources from October 2006 | All articles lacking sources | 1876 establishments | Colorado

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