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Colorado Education
Universities I
Colleges
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Schools
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Private Training I
English
Schools
Colorado has a tradition of high academic standards and public
support of the arts, as evidenced by the number and quality of
the educational and cultural institutions in the state.
Education
The first school in Colorado was established in 1859. Public
support of primary schools began in 1862 and was extended to
secondary schools in the 1870s. In the late 1980s Colorado had
1337 public elementary and secondary schools; about 407,500
pupils attended public elementary schools each year, and about
155,200 were enrolled in public secondary schools. Some 35,900
students attended private schools.
In the same period Colorado had 54 institutions of higher
education with a combined yearly enrollment of about 201,100
students. Among the most notable of these schools were the
following: Colorado College (1874) and the U.S. Air Force
Academy, in Colorado Springs; Colorado School of Mines, in
Golden; Colorado State University (1862), in Fort Collins; the
University of Colorado at Boulder (1876); the University of
Northern Colorado (1889), in Greeley; and the University of
Denver (1864), Regis College (1877), and the University of
Colorado at Denver (1912), in Denver.
Colorado, one of the Mountain states of the United States,
bounded on the north by Wyoming and Nebraska, on the east by
Nebraska and Kansas, on the south by Oklahoma and New Mexico,
and on the west by Utah. The Rocky Mountains extend across the
center of the state from north to south.
Colorado entered the Union on August 1, 1876, as the 38th state.
Long known for its mineral resources and livestock ranching,
Colorado had by the 1990s a diversified economy with substantial
light-industrial development and a growing tourist industry
based on its scenic and recreational attractions. The name of
the state is taken from the Colorado River, which was named by
Spanish explorers and means “reddish colored.” Colorado is
called the Centennial State.
Land and Resources
Colorado, with an area of 269,620 sq km (104,100 sq mi), is the
eighth largest state in the United States; 29.8% of the land
area is owned by the federal government. The state is
rectangular in shape and measures about 445 km (about 275 mi)
from north to south and about 620 km (about 385 mi) from east to
west. Elevations range from a low of 1021 m (3350 ft) on the
Arkansas River to 4399 m (14,433 ft) at the summit of Mount
Elbert. The approximate mean elevation of 2073 m (6800 ft) is
greater than that of any other state in the U.S.
Physical Geography
The eastern third of Colorado is part of the Great Plains and is
underlaid by sedimentary rocks, such as shales, sandstones, and
limestones. It slopes gradually east from an elevation of nearly
2105 m (nearly 6900 ft) to about 1070 m (about 3500 ft) at the
Kansas-Nebraska boundary; because of its relatively high
elevation it is sometimes called the High Plains. Dominant soils
here are fertile mollisols, which are agriculturally productive
when irrigated.
The Rocky Mountains occupy the central two-fifths of the state.
The Colorado Rockies constitute one of the highest regions of
the North American continent, with some 54 peaks reaching
elevations of 4267 m (14,000 ft) or more. The principal ranges
are the Front Range in the east, the Sawatch Range in the
center, the Park Range in the north, the Sangre de Cristo
Mountains in the south, and the San Juan Mountains in the
southwest.
The Colorado Plateau, located along the state's western
boundary, occupies about one-fifth of the total area. It is a
deeply incised plateau region, much of which lies above 2000 m
(about 6560 ft). Here are found mesas and deep canyons and
valleys. A portion of the Wyoming Basin lies in the northwestern
part of the state. It is a hilly highland region.
Rivers and Lakes
Colorado's major rivers have their sources in the Rocky
Mountains, where they are fed by heavy snow and rain. The
Continental Divide separates the Colorado River (the state's
longest), of the Pacific watershed, from the North Platte, South
Platte, Arkansas, and Rio Grande rivers, of the Atlantic
watershed. Falls, gorges, and canyons mark the precipitous
descent of many of the mountain streams; most notable are the
Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River and the Black Canyon of the
Gunnison River. Grand Lake in the Rockies is the state's largest
natural lake. Water-conservation projects have created even
larger artificial lakes, such as John Martin Reservoir on the
Arkansas River and Blue Mesa Reservoir on the Gunnison River.
Climate
The highest state in the nation, Colorado has a highland
continental climate, which varies according to the elevation of
a given area and its location with respect to mountain ranges.
Winters are cold and generally dry, and summers, except in the
higher elevations, are hot. The annual average temperature
ranges from about 10.6° C (about 51° F) on the plains to less
than 2.2° C (less than 36° F) in the mountains. The recorded
temperature in the state has ranged from -51.7° C (-61° F) in
1985 to 47.8° C (118° F) in 1888. Annual average precipitation
varies from as much as 1524 mm (60 in) on the western slopes of
the main ranges to 406 mm (16 in) or less on the Great Plains
and the Colorado Plateau. Although precipitation is concentrated
in the spring and summer months, the plains area is subject to
heavy winter snowfalls. Occasionally the High Plains experiences
the chinook, a warm wind that rushes off the eastern slope of
the Front Range at velocities that may exceed 161 km/hr (100
mph) and that cause local temperatures to rise as much as 28° C
(50° F) in a few hours.
Plants and Animals
The plains of the eastern part of Colorado have a natural cover
of short grasses, such as grama and buffalo grass. In the
mountainous regions, at elevations above about 1830 m (about
6000 ft), are coniferous forests. Principal species include
ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and Engelmann spruce; also found
here are birch, alder, and quaking aspen. The mesas of the
western slope have woodlands of piñon and juniper. Commercial
timberland, however, covers only about 21% of the total land
area. At elevations above the timberline (about 3505 m/11,500
ft) is found an alpine, or tundra, vegetation of grasses and
sedges. Common wild flowers include Indian paintbrush, larkspur,
columbine, mariposa lily, and pasqueflower.
Wildlife is varied because of the diversity of habitats. Found
on the plains and in adjacent foothills are pronghorn antelope,
coyote, prairie dog, fox, jackrabbit, badger, and prairie
rattlesnake. Bird life includes pheasant, hawk, and migrating
waterfowl. In the mountains and plateaus of the west are wapiti,
black bear, mountain lion, beaver, coyote, bighorn sheep, and
mountain goat, as well as the eagle and sage grouse. Trout,
salmon, and whitefish are in lakes and streams here.
Mineral Resources
Colorado is well endowed with mineral reserves. Among the most
important are petroleum, coal, natural gas, and sand and gravel.
Also present are silver, gold, vanadium, lead, copper, zinc,
clay, stone, and molybdenum. The mineral fuels (including
uranium) and nonmetallic minerals are found in the Great Plains
and the Colorado Plateau. Metallic minerals occur principally in
the central Rocky Mountains. The state also possesses vast
reserves of oil-bearing shale in the northwest.
Population
According to the 1990 census, Colorado had 3,294,394
inhabitants, an increase of 14% over 1980. The average
population density in 1990 was about 12 people per sq km (about
32 per sq mi). Whites made up 88.2% of the population and blacks
4%; additional population groups included 27,271 Native
Americans, 11,402 persons of Japanese descent, 11,339 persons of
Korean background, 8695 persons of Chinese descent, and 7210
persons of Vietnamese extraction. Approximately 424,300 persons,
or 12.9% of the total population, were of Hispanic ancestry; the
Hispanic population was concentrated in the southern part of the
state. Roman Catholics accounted for 25.1% of Colorado's
population in 1990; other leading religious groups included
Baptists (10%), Methodists (7.7%), and Lutherans (7.3%). In 1990
about 82% of the people of Colorado lived in areas defined as
urban, and the rest lived in rural areas. The state's largest
cities were Denver, the capital; Colorado Springs; Aurora;
Lakewood; Pueblo; Arvada; and Fort Collins.
Cultural Institutions
Among Colorado's prominent museums are the Denver Art Museum,
the Denver Museum of Natural History, the Colorado Historical
Society museum, and the Colorado Heritage Center, all of which
are in Denver. In Colorado Springs are the Colorado Springs Fine
Arts Center and the Western Museum of Mining and Industry. Also
of note are the University of Colorado Museum, in Boulder, and
the Ute Indian Museum, in Montrose. Denver is also the home of
Opera Colorado and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. The Colorado
Opera Festival and Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra are based
in Colorado Springs, and the Central City Opera House
Association is located in Central City. Aspen is noted for its
summer music programs.
Historical Sites
Many of Colorado's historical sites commemorate the early
explorers and settlers of the territory. Among these are Pike's
Stockade, originally built in 1807 and reconstructed according
to Zebulon Pike's specifications, in Sanford; Bent's Old Fort
National Historic Site, originally constructed in 1833, in La
Junta; Fort Vasquez, a replica of the fort built in the 1830s,
in Platteville; Healy House, built in 1878, in Leadville; and
Old Baca House and Pioneer Museum, in Trinidad. Also outstanding
are the ancient Native American cliff dwellings and pueblos of
Mesa Verde National Park and Hovenweep and Yucca House national
monuments. Of particular note is the Opera House (1878) in the
former mining boomtown of Central City.
Sports and Recreation
Colorado's mountains, large park areas, and numerous lakes and
streams offer ideal conditions for outdoor recreation
activities. Also popular are health spas at natural mineral
springs. Colorado is the nation's leading ski-resort region,
with more than two dozen major ski areas, including those in
Aspen, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, and Vail. Denver has major
league football, basketball, and (as of 1993) baseball
franchises.
Communications
Colorado has 83 AM and 106 FM radiobroadcasting stations and 26
television stations. The state's first radio station, KFKA in
Greeley, began operations in 1921. KFEL-TV in Denver, Colorado's
first commercial television station, began broadcasting in 1952.
The Rocky Mountain News, the state's first newspaper, was
initially published in 1859 in Denver. By the early 1990s
Colorado had 29 daily newspapers with a total circulation of
about 1,008,000. Influential newspapers included the Denver Post
and Rocky Mountain News, in Denver, and the Gazette Telegraph,
in Colorado Springs.
Government and Politics
Colorado is governed under its original constitution, adopted in
1876, as amended. An amendment to the constitution may be
proposed by the legislature, by initiative, or by a
constitutional convention. To become effective, an amendment
must be approved by a majority of the persons voting on the
issue in an election.
Executive
The chief executive of Colorado is a governor, who is popularly
elected to a 4-year term and who may serve no more than two
consecutive terms. The same regulations apply to the lieutenant
governor, who succeeds the governor should the latter resign,
die, or be removed from office. Other elected officials of the
executive department include the secretary of state, attorney
general, and treasurer. The governor appoints the revenue
director, and the legislature appoints the auditor.
Legislature
The bicameral Colorado General Assembly is composed of a senate
and a house of representatives. The 35 members of the senate are
elected to 4-year terms, and the 65 members of the house are
elected to 2-year terms.
Judiciary
Colorado's highest tribunal, the supreme court, is made up of a
chief justice and 6 associate justices who serve 10-year terms.
The intermediate court of appeals has 16 judges who serve 8-year
terms, and the state's major trial courts, which are the
district courts, have a total of 110 judges who serve 6-year
terms. Judges of all three courts are appointed initially by the
governor and run for election on their record for retention of
office.
Local Government
In the early 1990s Colorado had 63 counties (including Denver,
which combined city and county government) and 268
municipalities. Each county was governed by a board of three
commissioners; most cities employed either the mayor-council or
council-manager form of government.
National Representation
Colorado elects two senators and six representatives to the U.S.
Congress. The state has eight electoral votes in presidential
elections.
Politics
In state elections, approximately equal numbers of Democratic
and Republican party candidates for governor have been chosen.
In presidential elections, however, Republican candidates have
carried the state more times than Democratic nominees.
Republican and Democratic party registration totals are closely
matched, and a large bloc of unaffiliated voters holds the
balance in many electoral contests.
Economy
Colorado's initial growth was spurred by mining booms beginning
in the 1850s. Irrigated agriculture developed, and by the late
19th century livestock raising had become important on the
plains of the eastern part of the state. Early industrial growth
was based on the processing of minerals and agricultural
products. Since World War II the industrial and service sectors
have expanded greatly. The state's economy is now diversified
and is notable for its concentration of scientific research and
high-technology industries. Denver is an important financial
center.
Agriculture
Farming accounts for about 2.5% of the annual gross state
product in Colorado. The state has some 26,000 farms that
average 511 hectares (1262 acres) in size. Among the most
important of the state's diverse agricultural products are beef
cattle, corn, hay, wheat, and milk. Other crops include
potatoes, vegetables, and fruits. Livestock products account for
about 70% of annual agricultural income. The majority of
cropland is located in eastern Colorado and in selected river
valleys in the mountainous west. Irrigation is important in
Colorado's agriculture.
Forestry
The annual income from forestry in Colorado is small. Commercial
forests are relatively limited in extent; most are under federal
control and are concentrated in the western part of the state.
Almost all output is softwoods, principally firs and pines.
Mining
The mining industry accounts for about 2% of the annual gross
state product in Colorado. Leading minerals include petroleum,
coal, natural gas, and sand and gravel. The state also produces
significant quantities of silver, gold, vanadium, lead, copper,
zinc, clay, and stone. The yearly mineral output more than
tripled during the 1970s, in part because of expanded coal
production and rising oil prices; the mining sector weakened
during the 1980s, however, as oil prices declined. Molybdenum
mining, which formerly played an important role in the state's
economy, has dwindled in recent years, and oil shale production
has failed to meet expectations.
Manufacturing
Firms engaged in manufacturing in Colorado account for about 13%
of the annual gross state product and employ some 193,000
workers. Manufacturing is dominated by the processing of local
raw materials and by technology-dependent light industries.
Leading manufactures include scientific instruments, industrial
machinery, food, printed items, fabricated metals, electronics,
and transport equipment (especially aerospace). The Denver
metropolitan area is the state's leading manufacturing center,
specializing in food processing and in the manufacture of
scientific equipment and electronic and transportation
components. Industrial activity has developed in a number of
other communities located in the Front Range area. In the
university city of Boulder, printing and publishing, instrument
manufacture, and research and development activities
predominate. Light manufacturing is important in Pueblo.
Colorado Springs has a wide variety of high-technology
industries.
Tourism
Colorado is visited each year by more than 14 million tourists,
who spend more than $5.6 billion. The state offers a wide
variety of summer and winter recreational attractions. Located
in Colorado are Mesa Verde and Rocky Mountain national parks;
the National Park Service administers several other areas as
well. During the winter, mountain communities such as Vail,
Aspen, and Steamboat Springs are popular ski resorts. In
addition, the state maintains 40 parks and recreation areas.
Transportation
Colorado has a central location in the Rocky Mountains and has
become a regional transportation junction, with Denver as the
most important hub. As early as the late 1860s, Colorado had
become a focal point in the developing national railroad
network. Today the state is served by about 5280 km (about 3280
mi) of operated Class I railroad track. Despite much mountainous
terrain, a modern network of about 125,015 km (about 77,680 mi)
of federal, state, and local roads links the extremities of the
state with Denver and facilitates interstate travel.
Approximately 1520 km (about 945 mi) of interstate highways link
the major cities of Colorado. Airports in the state number 214;
Denver's Stapleton International Airport, the key facility in
the system, has for many years ranked among the nation's busiest
air terminals.
Energy
The electricity generating plants in Colorado have a total
capacity of about 6.6 million kw and produce some 31.3 billion
kwh of electricity annually. About 96% of this energy is derived
from fossil fuels, especially coal; hydroelectric and nuclear
sources provide only small amounts of energy. Waterpower
development is hindered by annual and seasonal changes in the
flow of major rivers. Environmental concerns have been a key in
limiting the expansion of both large hydroelectric generating
installations and nuclear facilities, in spite of the uranium
that is available locally.
History
After the prehistoric Cliff Dwellers of Mesa Verde (see CLIFF
DWELLER; see MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK) established themselves in
Colorado, the first residents of the Colorado mountains were
small bands of Ute from the Utah deserts. By the early 18th
century they were trading elk and deer hides for horses and
hardware with the Spanish and with Pueblo peoples of the Rio
Grande Valley. Using Spanish horses, the Ute moved east into the
Colorado plains, where they were opposed by the more recently
arrived Cheyenne and Arapaho. The Ute lived at the highest
altitude of any Native Americans—often 3000 m (10,000 ft) above
sea level.
Exploration
Spaniards from New Mexico explored parts of Colorado in the 18th
century. The first Americans to reach the area were soldiers
from Saint Louis led by Zebulon Pike, sent by the U.S.
government in 1806, to explore the region west of the
Mississippi. Pike went up the Arkansas River almost to its
source in the Rocky Mountains. A second party under Major
Stephen H. Long moved up the South Platte in 1820 to the site of
Denver. The party's botanist and historian, Edwin James, led the
first known ascent of Pikes Peak. Thereafter American trappers
explored most of the Colorado Rockies searching for beaver and
other furbearers. American occupation began in 1832, with the
completion of the Bent's Fort trading post on the Arkansas. By
1840 a few New Mexicans were farming in southern Colorado. In
1851 they founded San Luis in the San Luis Valley, Colorado's
first permanent settlement.
Mining Boom
The discovery of gold in the Colorado Rockies in 1858 caused
thousands of midwesterners to join the “Pikes Peak or Bust” gold
rush. Denver was built on lands Congress had reserved for the
Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples. When Colorado Territory was
created in 1861, the Native Americans were ordered off their
lands to the Arkansas River area. In protest the two tribes
murdered isolated settlers and raided the stage routes between
Denver and the Missouri River. To punish them the Third Colorado
Cavalry, led by Colonel John M. Chivington, attacked a village
of sleeping Native Americans at dawn on November 29, 1864; up to
several hundred men, women, and children were killed. This
so-called Sand Creek Massacre began nationwide concern for the
plight of western Native Americans. Nevertheless, in 1867,
regular army troops released from American Civil War duty forced
the removal to reservations in Oklahoma of all Native Americans
from the Colorado plains.
Statehood
The bloom of Colorado's first mining boom soon faded, and not
until the 1870s did the population exceed the 60,000 required
for statehood, as people swarmed to Colorado with the coming of
railroads and the spread of large-scale irrigation along the
eastern edge of the Rockies. Meanwhile, the brand-new cattle
industry thrived, thanks to the longhorn drives from Texas to
the free grass of the Colorado plains. Fear of higher taxes and
Washington politics, however, delayed statehood until 1876—the
nation's centennial year—and so Colorado acquired its nickname,
the “Centennial State.” During the next 20 years the state grew
and prospered as a result of the discovery in the late 1870s of
fabulous riches in the silver mines at Leadville; in the 1890s
wealth poured from the gold mines at Cripple Creek, near
Colorado Springs.
A decision by Congress to discontinue government purchases of
silver in 1893 angered Colorado mining interests, and three
years later Colorado Republicans deserted their party to support
the Silver Purchase Democrat William Jennings Bryan for the
presidency.
The 20th Century
When Colorado's gold and silver boom faded in the first years of
the 20th century, Coloradans put some of their mining profits
into tourism to exploit the state's mountain scenery and healthy
climate. The National Jewish Hospital in Denver and Cragmor
Sanatorium in Colorado Springs were famed for treatment of
tuberculosis. The railroads ran thrilling trips over high
Continental Divide passes such as Hagerman, Corona, and Cumbres.
Luxury hotels were built, and a prime tourist attraction was
created in 1915, when Rocky Mountain National Park opened.
Despite the growth of tourism, however, the Colorado economy
stagnated through the depression years. World War II brought
enormous changes, as army posts and federal office complexes
came to the Front Range cities. In the 1960s and '70s ski
resorts such as Aspen and Vail grew in the high country, favored
by the long snow season. Through the 1970s aerospace and
electronic firms moved to the Front Range cities as the
population soared. The major challenge facing the state in the
1980s and'90s was preserving environmental quality despite rapid
economic and population growth.
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