The State of Colorado is a state
located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America.
Colorado may also be considered to be a part of the Western and
Southwestern regions of the United States. The United States Census
Bureau estimates that the state population was 4,861,515 in 2007,
a 13.03% increase since the U.S. Census 2000.[3] Denver is the capital
as well as the most populous city of Colorado. Citizens of Colorado
are known as Coloradans.
Contents [hide]
1 Geography
1.1 Climate
1.1.1 Eastern Plains
1.1.2 West of the plains and foothills
1.1.3 Extreme weather
1.1.4 Records
2 History
3 Demographics
3.1 Religion
4 Economy
4.1 Special district taxes
5 Transportation
6 Government and Politics
6.1 State government
6.2 Federal representation
6.3 Election politics
7 Counties
8 Cities and Towns
9 Metropolitan Areas
10 Protected areas
11 Education
12 Professional sports teams
12.1 Former professional sports teams
13 See also
14 References
15 Further reading
16 External links
[edit] Geography
Main article: Geography of Colorado
The State of Colorado is defined as the geoellipsoidal rectangle
that stretches from 37°N to 41°N latitude and from 102°03'W
to 109°03'W longitude (25°W to 32°W from the Washington
Meridian).[4] Colorado is one of only three U.S. states (with Wyoming
and Utah) that have only lines of latitude and longitude for boundaries.
The summit of Mount Elbert at 4,401.2 meters (14,440 ft) elevation
in Lake County is the state's highest point and the highest point
in the entire Rocky Mountains.[1][2] Colorado has more than 500
mountain peaks that exceed 4,000 meters (13,123 ft) elevation. Colorado
is the only U.S. state that lies entirely above 1,000 meters (3,281
ft) elevation. The point where the Arikaree River flows out of Yuma
County, Colorado, and into Cheyenne County, Kansas, is the lowest
point in the State of Colorado at 1,010 meters (3,314 ft) elevation.
This crossing point holds the distinction of being the highest low
point of any U.S. state.[5][1]
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 3314 to 6562 feet (1010 to 2000 m). 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. Precipitation is meager, averaging from
12 to 18 inches (300 to 450 mm) 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 bulk of Colorado's population lives along the eastern edge
of the Rocky Mountains in the Front Range Urban Corridor. This region
is partially protected from prevailing storms by the high mountains
to the west.
To the west lies the eastern slope 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. During the drought
of 2002 devastating forest fires swept this area.
Map of Colorado - PDFThe Continental Divide stretches across the
crest of the Rocky Mountains. To the west of the Continental Divide
is the Western Slope. Water west of the Continental Divide drains
west into the Sea of Cortez 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 51 peaks that are 14,000
feet (4,267 m) or higher elevation, known as fourteeners. The mountains
are timbered with conifers and aspen to the tree line, at an elevation
of about 12,140 feet (3,700 m) in southern Colorado to about 10,500
feet (3,200 m) in northern Colorado; above this only alpine vegetation
grows. The Colorado 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.
Digital elevation model relief map of Colorado — nearly half
of the state is flat, despite stereotypesThe 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. The famous Pikes Peak is just west of Colorado
Springs. Its lone peak is visible from near the Kansas border on
clear days.[citation needed]
Colorado is also one of only four states in the United States to
share a common border (Four Corners), along with Arizona, New Mexico
and Utah. At this intersection, it is possible to stand in four
states at once.
See also: Colorado cities and towns, Colorado counties, Colorado
municipalities, Colorado rivers, and Four Corners Monument
[edit] Climate
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 totally complex compared to the rest of the United States.
While that is generally true throughout much of the state, the climate
of Colorado is complex enough to have a wide range of averages between
records throughout every season. The typical south-north/cooler-warmer
variation in other states is generally not applicable at all in
Colorado. The location of mountain ranges and surrounding valleys
affect local climate greatly. As a general rule, with an increase
in elevation come 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.
[edit] Eastern Plains
The climate of the Eastern Plains is a semi-arid continental climate
(Koppen climate classification BSk) of low humidity and moderately
low precipitation, usually from 10 to 15 inches (250 to 380 mm)
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 (35 °C) and sometimes 100 °F (38 °C)
or more. Temperatures in excess of 115 °F (46 °C) in the
northeast corner of the state are not uncommon, although 105 °F
(41 °C) is the maximum in the front range cities above 5000
ft (1500 m). In those areas, -25 °F is the all-time record low.
About 75% 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, and the form of major snowstorms that happen most
often in the early Spring and in late Autumn, and sometimes Winter,
from low pressures that bring the right conditions. Otherwise, Winters
tend to be drier and cold, even though it's known for having a number
of mild days in many Winters. In much of this region, March and
April are the snowiest months. April and May are normally the rainiest
months, while April is the wettest month that has the most combination
of rain and snow. 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 (16 °C)
or higher in the winter.[6] The average July temperature is 57 degrees
in the morning and 87 degrees in the afternoon. The average January
temperature is 15 degrees in the morning and 43 degrees in the afternoon,
although the daily high may be 60 one day and 0 the next.
[edit] West of the plains and foothills
Colorado state welcome signWest of the plains and foothills, the
weather of Colorado is much less uniform. Even places a few miles
(kilometers) apart can experience entirely different weather, depending
on the topography of the area. Most valleys also have a semi-arid
climate, which becomes an alpine climate at higher elevations. 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 °F (16 °C) and 70 °F
(21 °C), 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.
Animas River near Durango, Colorado.
Colorado River near Grand Junction, Colorado.
[edit] Extreme weather
Extreme 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 F3 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.
[edit] Records
The highest temperature ever recorded in Colorado was 118 °F
(48 °C) on July 11, 1888, at Bennett, while the lowest was -61
°F (-52 °C) on February 1, 1985, at Maybell.[7][8]
Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Colorado Cities
City Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Alamosa 33/-4 40/5 50/16 59/23 68/32 78/40 82/46 79/45 72/36 62/24
46/11 35/-1
Colorado Springs 42/13 45/18 52/24 59/31 68/41 79/50 86/55 82/54
74/45 63/34 50/23 42/16
Denver 43/15 47/19 54/25 61/34 70/44 82/53 88/59 86/57 77/47 66/36
52/24 44/16
Grand Junction 37/16 45/23 56/31 64/38 74/46 87/55 96/61 92/60 83/50
67/39 50/26 39/18
Pueblo 45/14 50/19 57/26 65/34 75/45 86/54 91/59 89/58 81/49 69/35
54/22 45/15
[2]
[edit] History
Colorado state insignia
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" and "Rocky Mountain
High"[9]
Quarter
Released in 2006
Grass Blue grama
Fossil Stegosaurus
Gemstone Aquamarine
Mineral Rhodochrosite
Rock Yule Marble
Tartan Colorado State Tartan
Main article: History of Colorado
The region that is today the State of Colorado has been inhabited
by Native Americans for more than 13 millennia.[10] The region was
acquired by the United States with the Louisiana Purchase from France
in 1803 and the Mexican Cession in 1848. The region was divided
among the Territory of New Mexico organized in 1850, the Territory
of Utah organized in 1850, the Territory of Kansas organized in
1854, and the Territory of Nebraska organized in 1854.
On 1851-04-09, Hispanic settlers from Taos, New Mexico, settled
San Luis, then in the Territory of New Mexico, but now Colorado's
first European settlement. Gold was discovered along the South Platte
River in western Kansas Territory in July of 1858, precipitating
the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.[11] The Provisional Government of the
Territory of Jefferson was organized on 1859-10-24, but the new
territory failed to secure federal sanction. The election of Abraham
Lincoln on 1860-11-06, led to the secession of six slave states
and the approach of civil war. The Republican led U.S. Congress
admitted the eastern portion of the Territory of Kansas to the Union
as the free State of Kansas on 1861-01-29, leaving the western portion
of the territory, and its gold fields, unorganized.
Thirty days later on 1861-02-28, outgoing U.S. President James
Buchanan signed an act of Congress organizing the free Territory
of Colorado.[4] (The boundaries of the new territory were the same
as the State of Colorado today.) The name Colorado was chosen because
it was commonly believed that the Colorado River originated in the
territory. Early Spanish explorers had named the Rio Colorado for
the reddish-brown silt the river carried from the mountains.[12]
(In fact, the Colorado River did not flow through Colorado until
House Joint Resolution 460 of the 66th United States Congress changed
the name of the Grand River to the Colorado River on 1921-07-25.)[13]
On 1876-08-01 (28 days after Centennial of the United States),
U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signed a proclamation admitting
the State of Colorado to the Union as the 38th state and earning
it the moniker the "Centennial State". Colorado women
were granted the right to vote beginning on 1893-11-07. By the 1930
U.S. Census, the population of Colorado exceeded one million residents,
and by the 2000 Census, the population exceeded 4.3 million.
Three different ships have been named USS Colorado in honor of
the state.
[edit] Demographics
Historical populations
Census Pop. %±
1860 34,277 —
1870 39,864 16.3%
1880 194,327 387.5%
1890 413,249 112.7%
1900 539,700 30.6%
1910 799,024 48.0%
1920 939,629 17.6%
1930 1,035,791 10.2%
1940 1,123,296 8.4%
1950 1,325,089 18.0%
1960 1,753,947 32.4%
1970 2,207,259 25.8%
1980 2,889,964 30.9%
1990 3,294,394 14.0%
2000 4,301,261 30.6%
Est. 2007 4,861,515 13.0%
The state's largest city, and capital, is Denver. The Denver-Aurora-Boulder
Combined Statistical Area, home to 2,927,911 people, contains more
than two-thirds of the state's population. Residents of Colorado
are properly referred to as Coloradans, although the archaic term
Coloradoans is also sometimes used.[14] Coloradan refers to a Colorado
resident, while Coloradoan is a newspaper in Fort Collins.[15]
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 [3]. The largest increases are expected
in the Front Range Urban Corridor, especially in the Denver 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 immigrants
(3.1% of the state population).
The center of population of Colorado is located just north of the
town of Critchell in Jefferson County [4] [5].
Demographics of Colorado (csv)
By race White Black AIAN Asian NHPI
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 Population Density MapColorado has one of the highest proportions
of Hispanic citizens 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. The 2000 U.S. Census reports that 10.52% of people
aged 5 and over in Colorado speak Spanish at home [6]. Colorado,
like New Mexico, is very rich in archaic Spanish idioms[16].
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.
[edit] 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
headquartered in the state. 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.
According to the American Religious Identification Survey, conducted
in 2001 by The Graduate Center at the City University of New York,
Colorado's population is distributed among the following religious
groups:[17]
Christian Self-Identifications – 68%
Roman Catholic – 23%
Christian – 9%
Baptist – 8%
Methodist – 5%
Lutheran – 5%
Episcopalian – 3%
Presbyterian – 3%
Pentecostal – 2%
Churches of Christ – 2%
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – 2%
Protestant – 2%
Jehovah's Witness – 1%
Seventh-day Adventist – 1%
Evangelical – 1%
Non-denominational – 1%
Non-Religious/Atheist/Agnostic – 21%
Buddhist – 1%
Jewish – 1%
Other Religions – 3%
Refused To Answer – 6%
[edit] Economy
Main article: Economy of Colorado
Corn production in Colorado.The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates
that the total state product in 2006 was $230 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 [7]. 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, United States
Air Force Academy and Peterson Air Force Base 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, Buckley Air Force Base,
and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver; and a federal Supermax
Prison and other federal prisons near Cañon City. In addition
to these and other federal agencies, Colorado has abundant National
Forest land and four National Parks that contribute to federal ownership
of 24,615,788 acres (99,617 km²) of land in Colorado, or 37%
of the total area of the state.[18]
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. Colorado also produces
the largest amount of beer of any state.[19] 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.[20][21]
Colorado's state sales tax is 2.9% on retail sales. When state revenues
exceed state constitutional limits, full-year Colorado residents
can claim 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.
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.
Oil well in northwestern Colorado.
[edit] Special district taxes
The special district taxes are:
The Regional Transportation District (RTD), which affects the counties
of Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, and portions of Adams, Arapahoe,
Broomfield, and Douglas Counties
The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a special
regional tax district with physical boundaries contiguous with county
boundaries of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas,
and Jefferson Counties
It is a 0.1% retail sales and use tax (one penny on every $10).
According to the Colorado statute, the SCFD distributes the money
to local organizations on an annual basis. These organizations must
provide for the enlightenment and entertainment of the public through
the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement or preservation
of art, music, theater, dance, zoology, botany, natural history
or cultural history.
As directed by statute, SCFD recipient organizations are currently
divided into three "tiers" among which receipts are allocated
by percentage.
Tier I includes regional organizations: the Denver Art Museum, the
Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science,
the Denver Zoo, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It
receives 65.5%.
Tier II currently includes 26 regional organizations. Tier II receives
21%.
Tier III has over 280 local organizations such as small theaters,
orchestras, art centers, and natural history, cultural history,
and community groups. Tier III organizations apply for funding to
the county cultural councils via a grant process. This tier receives
13.5%.
An eleven-member board of directors oversees the distributions in
accordance with the Colorado Revised Statutes. Seven board members
are appointed by county commissioners (in Denver, the Denver City
Council) and four members are appointed by the Governor of Colorado.
The Football Stadium District (FD or FTBL), approved by the voters
to pay for and help build the Denver Broncos' stadium INVESCO Field
at Mile High
Local Improvement Districts (LID) within designated areas of southeast
Jefferson and Boulder counties
Regional Transportation Districts (RTA) taxes at varying rates in
Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Gunnison County
Occupational Privilege Taxes (OPT or Head Tax) Denver and Aurora
both levy an OPT on Employers and Employees
If any employee performs work in the city limits and is paid over
US$500.00 for that work in a single month, the Employee and Employer
are both liable for the OPT regardless of where the main business
office is located or headquartered.
In Denver, the Employer is liable for US$4.00 per employee per month
and the Employee is liable for US$5.75 per month.
In Aurora, both Employer and Employees are liable for US$2.00 per
month.
It is the Employer's responsibility to with hold, remit, and file
the OPT returns. If an Employer does not comply, they can be held
liable for both portions of the OPT as well as penalties and interest.
[edit] Transportation
Federal Highway Routes in the State of Colorado
Commercial Airports in the State of Colorado ALS - San Luis Valley
Regional Airport
ASE - Aspen-Pitkin County Airport
CEZ - Cortez Municipal Airport
COS - City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport
DEN - Denver International Airport[22]
DRO - Durango-La Plata County Airport
EGE - Eagle County Regional Airport
FNL - Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport
GJT - Grand Junction Regional Airport
GUC - Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport
HDN - Yampa Valley Airport
MTJ - Montrose Regional Airport
PUB - Pueblo Memorial Airport
TEX - Telluride Regional Airport
Union Station, Denver.Amtrak Passenger Railroad Routes through the
State of Colorado California Zephyr:
Chicago, Galesburg, Omaha, Fort Morgan, Denver, Winter Park, Granby,
Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Salt Lake City, Reno, Sacramento,
and Emeryville
Southwest Chief:
Chicago, Galesburg, Kansas City, Topeka, Lamar, La Junta, Trinidad,
Albuquerque, Gallup, Flagstaff, Needles, San Bernardino, and Los
Angeles
Communities in the State of Colorado with Regional Bus Service Alamosa,
Aurora, Boulder, Brush, Colorado Springs, Delta, Denver, Durango,
Englewood, Frisco, Fort Collins, Fort Morgan, Glenwood Springs,
Grand Junction, Greeley, Lamar, Limon, Longmont, Montrose, Pueblo,
Rocky Ford, Springfield, Sterling, Trinidad, Vail, and Walsenburg
See also: Colorado Department of Transportation, List of Colorado
state highways, List of airports in Colorado, and Amtrak
[edit] Government and Politics
Main article: Law and Government of Colorado
[edit] State government
Like the majority of states, Colorado's current constitution provides
for three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and
judicial branches. The governor heads the state's executive branch.
The Colorado Supreme Court is the highest judicial body in the state.
The state legislative body is the Colorado General Assembly, which
is made up of two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The House 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 was the first to be controlled by the
Democrats in forty years.
The incumbent Governor of the State of Colorado is August William
"Bill" Ritter, Jr. (D).
Many Coloradans are 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 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.
[edit] Federal representation
The two U.S. Senators from Colorado are Wayne Allard (R), and Ken
Salazar (D). The state has seven U.S. Congressional districts, based
on the 2000 Census.
[edit] Election politics
Colorado is considered a very independent state politically in both
state and federal elections. Coloradoans elected 17 Democrats and
12 Republicans to the governorship in the last 100 years. In presidential
politics, Colorado supported Democrat Bill Clinton in 1992, and
supported Republican presidential nominee Robert J. Dole in 1996
and George W. Bush in 2000. George W. Bush won the state's 9 electoral
votes in the 2004 election, 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.
Colorado politics has the contrast of conservative cities such
as Colorado Springs and liberal cities such as Boulder. Democrats
are strongest in metropolitan Denver, the college towns of Fort
Collins and Boulder, southern Colorado (including Pueblo), and a
few western ski resort counties. The Republicans are strongest in
the Eastern Plains, Colorado Springs, Greeley, some of Denver suburbs,
and the Western half of State (including Grand Junction). The fastest
growing parts of the state particularly Douglas, Elbert, and Weld
Counties, in the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Area, are somewhat Republican.
See also: United States presidential election, 2004, in Colorado
See also: Colorado's congressional elections, 2006
See also: Colorado gubernatorial election, 2006
[edit] Counties
Main article: List of counties in Colorado
Colorado is divided into 64 counties, including two counties with
consolidated city and county governments.[23]
[edit] Cities and Towns
Main article: Colorado municipalities
See also: List of cities and towns in Colorado
Colorado has 271 incorporated municipalities and 83 active United
States Census Designated Places.[24][25]
[edit] Metropolitan Areas
Main article: Colorado metropolitan areas
See also: Colorado census statistical areas
The United States Census Bureau has defined seven Metropolitan Statistical
Areas (MSAs), seven Micropolitan Statistical Areas (µSAs),
and one Combined Statistical Area (CSA) in the State of Colorado.[26][27]
[edit] Protected areas
The Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park.National Parks in Colorado:
Arapaho National Recreation Area
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Colorado National Monument
Curecanti National Recreation Area
Dinosaur National Monument
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Hovenweep National Monument
Mesa Verde National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Rocky Mountain National Park
Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
Yucca House National Monument
See also: Colorado national parks, Colorado state parks, Colorado
trails, and Colorado scenic and historic byways
[edit] Education
The University of Colorado at Boulder.
The United States Air Force Academy.Colleges and universities in
Colorado:
Adams State College
Aims Community College
Arapahoe Community College
Art Institute of Colorado
Colorado Christian University
Colorado College
Colorado Community College Online
Colorado Mountain College
Colorado Northwestern Community College
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University System
Colorado State University
Colorado State University-Pueblo
Colorado Technical University
Community College of Aurora
Community College of Denver
Denver Seminary
Fort Lewis College
Front Range Community College
Heritage College & Heritage Institute
Iliff School of Theology
Johnson & Wales University
Jones International University
Lamar Community College
Mesa State College
Metropolitan State College of Denver
Morgan Community College
Naropa University
National Technological University
Nazarene Bible College
Northeastern Junior College
Otero Junior College
Pikes Peak Community College
Pueblo Community College
Red Rocks Community College
Regis University
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Trinidad State Junior College
United States Air Force Academy
University of Colorado System
University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
University of Colorado Denver
University of Denver
University of Northern Colorado
Western State College
[edit] Professional sports teams
The Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver.Colorado is the least
populous state with a franchise in each of the major professional
sports leagues. 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.[8]
Club Sport League
Colorado Rockies Baseball Major League Baseball
Denver Broncos Football National Football League
Colorado Avalanche Ice hockey National Hockey League
Denver Nuggets Basketball National Basketball Association
Colorado Rapids Soccer Major League Soccer
Colorado Mammoth Lacrosse National Lacrosse League
Denver Outlaws Lacrosse Major League Lacrosse
Colorado Chill Basketball National Women's Basketball League
Colorado Crush Arena football Arena Football League
Aurora Cavalry Basketball International Basketball League
Colorado 14ers Basketball NBA D-League
Colorado Crossover Basketball International Basketball League
Colorado Springs Sky Sox Baseball Minor League Baseball (AAA)
Colorado Eagles Ice hockey Central Hockey League
Rocky Mountain Rage Ice hockey Central Hockey League
Colorado Rapids U23's Soccer USL Premier Development League
Colorado Springs Blizzard Soccer USL Premier Development League
Colorado Springs Sabers Soccer Women's Premier Soccer League
Denver Diamonds Soccer Women's Premier Soccer League
[edit] Former professional sports teams
Club Sport League
Colorado Rockies (NHL) (moved to Newark, New Jersey and are now
the New Jersey Devils) Ice Hockey National Hockey League
Colorado Xplosion (won the Western Conference Championship in inaugural
season) Women's Basketball American Basketball League (1996-1998)
Denver Grizzlies (moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, later moved to
Cleveland, Ohio and became the Lake Erie Monsters) Ice Hockey International
Hockey League (1945-2001)
Denver Spurs (moved to Ottawa, Ontario and became the Ottawa Civics
for the rest of the team's existence) Ice Hockey World Hockey Association/Central
Hockey League/Western Hockey League
Denver Dynamite (Inaugural member of the Arena Football League,
folded after four seasons) Arena Football Arena Football League
Denver Gold (United States Football League member, 1983-1985) Football
United States Football League
Denver Bears/Denver Zephyrs (moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and
became the New Orleans Zephyrs) Baseball American Association/Pacific
Coast League
CONTACT
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