Outline of Colorado
Colorado is a state of unusual natural beauty in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. The scenic wonders of the Rockies and the cool, pleasant climate make the state a center for summer tourists. In winter, the deep, powdery snow of Colorado attracts skiers to world-famous resorts. Each year, millions of visitors travel to such tourist areas as Aspen, Estes Park, and Colorado Springs.
Not all of Colorado is mountainous, and only part of the state's income comes from tourists. Most of the people of Colorado live and work on the dry, flat plains that make up the eastern two-fifths of the state. Tunnels bored through the mountains bring water to the plains for busy cities and prosperous farms. The state's location halfway between the major cities of California and the Midwest has helped make it the main transportation and distribution center for the Rocky Mountain region. Colorado's regional importance has led many large financial and manufacturing companies to set up branch offices in the state. Food processing and the manufacture of computer and electronic products are leading Colorado industries.
Herds of cattle and sheep graze on the mountains and plains of Colorado. Irrigated farms produce rich crops of potatoes and sugar beets. Wheat and corn fields spread across the plains. Fields of hay, which is used for cattle feed, can be found in most parts of the state.
Mining also has an important part in the state's economy. Gold and silver mining booms in the last half of the 1800's sparked Colorado's early growth and development. Mines in Colorado still produce gold and silver ores. Today, however, the state's chief mineral products include coal, natural gas, and petroleum.
The U.S. government owns more than a third of Colorado's land. The government controls grazing, logging, and mining on those lands. The U.S. Mint in Denver makes coins. The U.S. Air Force has its academy close to Colorado Springs and its defense headquarters in nearby Cheyenne Mountain.
Most of Colorado's cities grew up near the eastern edge of the mountains. Denver, the largest city in the state, is a business, financial, and manufacturing center. Colorado Springs attracts large numbers of tourists. Colorado Springs also serves several military bases, including the United States Air Force Academy. The largest city in western Colorado is Grand Junction.
Beautiful Colorado attracts millions of tourists each year. In summer, visitors enjoy the state's cool climate. Campers pitch their tents on forested mountain slopes or near beautiful mountain streams. High peaks test the skill of mountain climbers. Old mining towns and Indian cliff dwellings lure tourists interested in history. People who like to fish cast for trout in the clear, swift streams. In autumn, hunters search for deer and other big game. In winter, skiers visit such famous Colorado resorts as Aspen, Arapahoe Basin, Steamboat Springs, Vail, and Winter Park. The ski season in Colorado begins in November and ends in April.
The Spanish word colorado means colored red. The explorers gave the name to the Colorado River, which flows through canyons of red stone. The state was named for the river. Colorado's nickname is the Centennial State. The state has that name because it joined the Union in 1876, the centennial (100th anniversary) of the Declaration of Independence. Denver is the capital and largest city of Colorado.
