State of Colorado
Nicknames: The Centennial State
Motto(s): Nil sine numine (Nothing without providence)
Date of Statehood: August 1, 1876 (38th state)
State Song: “Where the Columbines Grow” by A.J. Fynn and “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver
Colorado Flag History
The flag of Colorado was adopted on June 5, 1911, and is a symbol of the state’s natural beauty and pioneering spirit. The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width; the top and bottom stripes are blue, and the middle stripe is white. At the flag’s center lies a circular red “C,” filled with a golden disk. The blue is meant to represent the skies, the gold stands for the abundant sunshine the state enjoys, and the white symbolizes the snow-capped mountains.
The red “C” in the flag stands for Colorado, a Spanish word for “colored red,” and represents the state’s red soil and rocky terrain. The gold disk inside the “C” symbolizes the state’s gold mining history and the riches of the state’s varied landscapes.
Despite its simplicity, the Colorado flag encapsulates the state’s history, its natural resources, and the character of its people. The flag’s design has not changed since its adoption, a testament to the enduring nature of the state’s identity. Over time, it has become an iconic representation of Colorado’s commitment to preserving its natural beauty, honoring its past, and embracing its future.
Colorado Quick Facts
Capital City: Denver
Abbreviation: CO
Population: Approximately 5.8 million
Region: West, Mountain States
Origin of State Name: Named after the Colorado River, from the Spanish for “colored red”
Sports Teams: Denver Broncos (NFL), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Bordering States: Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona
Area Codes: 303, 719, 970, 720
Highest Point: Mount Elbert at 14,440 feet (4,401 meters)
Lowest Point: Arikaree River at 3,317 feet (1,011 meters)
Geography of Colorado
Area: 104,094 square miles (269,601 square kilometers), 8th largest
Land: 103,642 square miles (268,431 square kilometers), 8th largest
Water: 452 square miles (1,170 square kilometers), 37th largest
Coastline: None (landlocked state)
Shoreline: None (landlocked state)
Largest Cities:
- Denver
- Colorado Springs
- Aurora
- Fort Collins
- Lakewood
- Thornton
- Arvada
- Westminster
- Pueblo
- Centennial
- Boulder
- Greeley
- Longmont
- Loveland
- Broomfield
National Parks:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Colorado State Symbols
Living Insignia
State Bird: Lark Bunting
State Animal: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
State Amphibian: Western Tiger Salamander
State Butterfly: Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly
State Fish: Greenback Cutthroat Trout
State Flower: Rocky Mountain Columbine
State Horse Breed: None
State Insect: Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly
State Mammal: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
State Reptile: None
Inanimate Insignia
State Fruit: None
State Gemstone: Aquamarine
State Soil: Seitz Soil
State Tree: Colorado Blue Spruce
State Quarter: Issued in 2006 featuring Longs Peak and a banner reading “Colorful Colorado”
State Beverage: None
State Colors: Blue and White
State Dance: Square Dance
State Food: None
State Fossil: Stegosaurus
State Mineral: Rhodochrosite
State Rock: Yule Marble