Colorado ( The Centennial State ) The state's name comes from a Spanish word meaning "red" or "ruddy", the color of much of the state's terrain. Called the "Centennial State", because it became the 38th state when the U.S. turned 100 in 1876, Colorado is most closely associated with the Rocky Mountains and has numerous peaks over 14,000 feet. Prospectors discovered gold in the middle of the last century, and the mining booms beginning in the late 1850s spurred Colorado's initial growth. The state's economy broadened when irrigated agriculture developed, and by the late 19th century livestock raising had become important. Early industry was based on the processing of minerals and agricultural products. 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. Denver is an important financial center. Colorado is a state of unusual natural beauty. The scenic wonders of the Rocky Mountains attract tourists in both summer and winter. In the summer and fall, visitors enjoy camping, hiking, hunting and fishing. Old mining towns and Native American cliff dwellings lure tourists interested in history. In winter, skiers visit famous Colorado resorts such as Aspen and Vail. Some of the famous celebrities that were born in Colorado include: Tim Allen, Kristin Davis, Jake Lloyd, Jan-Michael Vincent, The Flag of Colorado Entered the Union in 1876 as the 38th State; flag adopted in 1911, modified in 1964. Yellow and white refer to the mining of gold and silver, while these colors plus blue are found in the Rocky Mountain columbine, the State flower. Red is also for the Spanish word for that color - colorado.   Largest Cities in the State (2000) Denver, 554,636; Colorado Springs, 360,890; Aurora, 276,393; Lakewood, 144,126; Fort Collins, 118,652; Arvada, 102,153; Pueblo, 102,121; Westminster, 100,940; Boulder, 94,673 Thornton, 82,384   Business and Trade in Colorado Agriculture: Cattle, wheat, dairy products, corn, hay. Industries: Scientific instruments, food processing, transportation equipment, machinery, chemical products, gold and other mining, tourism. State Symbols and Emblems Bird: Lark Bunting Flower: Rocky Mountain Columbine (aquilegia caerules) Tree: Colorado Blue Spruce (picea pungens) Song(s): Where the Columbines Grow Motto: Nil Sine Numine (Nothing without Providence) Colorado Travel - Vacation Destinations & Recreation National parks and historic locations suitable for family vacations or day trips. • Cherry Creek Lake - Littleton • Jackson Gulch Reservoir - Durango • Lemon Reservoir - Durango • Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area - Montrose, CO • Ruby Canyon-Black Ridge Recreation Management Area - Grand Junction

Capital: Denver     Local Weather  Statehood: 1876-08-01  Population: 4,301,261 (41.5 mi2)   Geographic Area (mi2)     Total 104,093.57     Water 376.04     Land 103,717.53     Rank 8th Largest   State Education:     Pub & Prv Schools     College & University     Libraries   Border States: Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming   Health Information:     Illicit Drug Use     Youth Risk Survey   Housing: In Colorado, there are 1,808,037 housing units, averaging to 17.4 per sq mile.   Related Magazines:     Fishing & Hunting News Colorado     Colorado Outdoors     ColoradoBiz   Posters and Artwork Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness at Dawn, Colorado, USA Photographic Print 16" x 12" • Hang Glider over Telluride, Colorado, This Self Portrait Photo is Taken by a Wing-Mounted Camera Photographic Print 36" x 48" • Mountains Covered in Snow, Sneffels Range, Colorado, USA Photographic Print 24" x 8" • Ice Skating and Hockey on Evergreen Lake, Colorado, USA Photographic Print 16" x 12" • Pioneer Museum, Colorado Springs, United States of America Photographic Print 16" x 12" • A Couple Stops to Admire the Maroon Bell Mountains on a Cloudy Day, Aspen, Colorado Photographic Print 24" x 18"