Universities I Colleges I Schools I 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.

Accommodation I Finance I Insurance I Student Travel I Useful Links