Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Us States

Colorado

Colorado is a state in the western United States, known for its Rocky Mountain landscape, high elevation, and broad mix of mountains, plains, and plateaus.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Colorado is a state in the western United States, known for its Rocky Mountain landscape and high elevation. Its capital is Denver, and it became the 38th U.S. state on August 1, 1876.

What it is

Colorado is a constituent state of the United States, located in the Mountain states region. It borders Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. The state includes part of the Rocky Mountains and has the highest average elevation of any U.S. state.

Key details

Colorado's name comes from Spanish, referring to the color red, originally used for the Colorado River. It was admitted to the Union on August 1, 1876, exactly 100 years after the Declaration of Independence, earning the nickname "The Centennial State." Denver is both the capital and largest city.

Why it matters for Canadians

Colorado is a major destination for Canadian travellers, particularly for ski tourism and business ties. Denver serves as a key air route hub, and resort destinations in the Rocky Mountains attract many visitors from Canada.

In short

  • Colorado is a U.S. state in the western Mountain region.
  • It became the 38th state on August 1, 1876, the Centennial.
  • Denver is the capital and largest city.
  • The name means "colored red" in Spanish.
Canadian angle

Colorado is a major U.S. state for Canadian travellers, ski tourism, business ties, and cross-border air routes, especially through Denver and resort destinations in the Rocky Mountains.

Quick questions

Is Colorado a state or a city?
Colorado is a state in the United States, not a city.
What is Colorado's capital?
Colorado's capital is Denver.
When did Colorado become a state?
Colorado became the 38th U.S. state on August 1, 1876.

Sources

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Colorado-state
    Supports: Statehood date, capital, area, population, borders, and general state description.
  2. National Geographic Kids — https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/states/article/colorado
    Supports: Nickname, border states, name origin, elevation, and Denver's 'Mile-High City' identity.
  3. Colorado State Archives — https://archives.colorado.gov/collections/symbols-emblems
    Supports: Origin of the state's name, centennial nickname, and historical naming context.
  4. Colorado.com — https://www.colorado.com/colorado-travel-facts
    Supports: State nickname, capital, land area, and highest point.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado
    Supports: 2024 estimated population and broad geographic description.