Thursday, September 27, 2012

Colorado - #38, August 1, 1876


Colorado has the highest mean elevation of any state, with more than 1,000 Rocky Mountain peaks over 10,000 ft high and 54 towering above 14,000 ft. Pikes Peak, the most famous of these mountains, was discovered by U.S. Army lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike in 1806. Colorado's nickname of the Centennial State comes from its admission in 1876, the 100th anniversary of American independence.

The current Governor of Colorado is Democrat John Hickenlooper.  Both Senators from Colorado are Democrats, Michael Bennet and Mark Udall. The Colorado Congressional delegation has seven members (4 Republican and 3 Democrats).
Facts
  • State Capital and largest city - Denver
  • Date of Admission - August 1, 1876
  • Area - 104,094sq mi (8th) 
  • Population (2011 est.) - 5,116,796 (22nd) 
  • State Motto - "Nil sine Numine" "Nothing without Providence" 
  • State Nickname - The Centennial State
  • State animal Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
  • State bird - lark bunting
  • State flower - Rocky Mountain columbine
  • State tree - blue spruce
  • State University - The University of Colorado
  • Colorado State Archives 
  • The Colorado Historical Society 
Links
Prominent Coloradans - (here's a few lists to peruse, one and two)

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