Colorado

Colorado is a state in the western United States. It is famous for its tall Rocky Mountains. Colorado has lots of snow in winter and is great for skiing. Its capital is Denver. People call it the Centennial State because it became a state in 1876, 100 years after the country was founded.

Mountains and Rivers

Colorado has more than 50 mountains that are over 14,000 feet tall. These are called Fourteeners. Many rivers, like the Colorado River, start in these mountains. The melting snow feeds rivers that flow across many states. Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place to see wildlife like elk and bighorn sheep.

Map showing lands that Mexico once gave to America.
Map showing lands that Mexico once gave to America. (United States federal government (en:User:Black and White converted it from JPEG to PNG and retouched it) / Wikimedia Commons)

Fun Things to Do

People visit Colorado to ski and snowboard in the winter. In the summer, they hike, camp, and go fishing. Denver, the capital, is called the Mile High City because it sits exactly one mile above sea level. Colorado also has ancient cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park. These homes were built into rocks a long time ago.

Fun Facts

  • The state flower of Colorado is the Rocky Mountain columbine.
  • Colorado has the highest average elevation of any state.
  • The United States Air Force Academy is in Colorado Springs.

Did You Know?

Colorado is the only state that is a perfect rectangle shape on the map!