Colorado

Colorado is a state in the western United States, bordered by Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona at the Four Corners. It is named after the Colorado River, whose canyon landscapes helped define the region’s history. The capital and largest city is Denver. Colorado became the 38th state on August 1, 1876, earning the nickname The Centennial State.

The state features the Rocky Mountains in the west and high plains to the east; the highest peak is Mount Elbert at 14,440 feet (4,401 meters). The plains are relatively dry, while the mountains create varied climates with significant snowfall in winter.

Indigenous peoples occupied the region for centuries before European exploration. The Colorado Territory was organized in 1861 during the U.S. westward expansion, and statehood followed in 1876.

Colorado has a diversified economy that includes aerospace, technology, energy, agriculture, and tourism. The population is around 5.8 million, with major urban areas in Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Fort Collins.

The state is known for outdoor recreation such as skiing, mountain climbing, hiking, and rafting. Notable protected areas include Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Colorado's landscape also supports craft beverage industries and a growing cultural scene.