Here in Colorado, we love our pets and we love our state.
Colorado is situated in the western United States and includes the southern portions of the Rocky Mountains. The state also encompasses plains and the Colorado Plateau. Colorado is bordered by Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, and Arizona. The diverse landscape encompasses plains, canyons, forests, mountains, rivers, and desert, and the climate is extremely complex, offering mixed weather conditions in different regions.
Colorado is full of opportunities to explore arts and culture. While in Colorado, you can visit one of many film festivals, dine on Rocky Mountain cuisine, enjoy a glass of award-winning Colorado wines, or check out a local microbrewery. Rocky Mountain National Park offers many trails to explore, and Vail is the perfect destination for skiing.
You may be surprised to learn that the state was actually named after the Colorado River, originally named Río Colorado because of its color. In 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant admitted Colorado into the nation. It would become the 38th state. Early on, the state used mining and agriculture to establish an economic base, but the collapse of both economies was disastrous. Fortunately, floriculture allowed the state to become successful once again.
Today, Colorado has a reputation as one of the best state’s in the country for business. Agricultural products, like cattle, wheat, dairy, hay, and corn, give the economy a boost. Other industries include transportation equipment, chemical products, machinery, metal extraction, and beer. Several federal government facilities are also located in the state, including NORAD, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and several military bases.
Did you know that many famous people once called Colorado home? They include astronaut Vance Brand, actor Lon Chaney, Sr., football player John Elway, politician John Kerry, and supreme court justice Byron White.
Colorado has a variety of symbols that represent the Centennial State. These are a few fun symbols to remember during your time in Colorado:
- State Motto: Nothing Without Providence
- State Mammal: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
- State Slogan: Colorful Colorado
- State Pets: Colorado Shelter Pets
- State Bird: Lark Bunting
- State Flower: Rocky Mountain Columbine
- State Cactus: Claret Cup Cactus
According to recent estimates, Colorado is home to over 5,770,000 people. The most populous city in the state is Denver, which offers a large metropolitan area. Growth is expected to continue in this state.