COLORADO “Centennial State”

COLORADO FACTS ❑ Colorado’s population is 5,268,367 ❑ Colorado’s statehood is August 1,1876 and was the 38 th state found ❑ Colorado was named for the Colorado River; Early Spanish explorers called the river Colorado (colored red) because the silt carried by the river colored it red

NATURAL RESOURCES  Oil shale- Due to oil shale, Colorado’s Piceane basin contains the most concentrated hydrocarbon deposit on Earth  Limestone-limestone is used to produce Portland cement as aggregate in concrete and asphalt, and in an enormous array of other products, making it a truly versatile commodity  Natural Gas-Colorado uses natural gas to power their stoves and other cooking devices

COLORADO STATE SYMBOLS  Bighorn sheep is Colorado's state animal  Lark bunting is Colorado’s state bird  Colorado blue spruce is Colorado’s state tree

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS  The Four Corners- It is located in Denver, Colorado The Four Corners include the corners of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah  Mesa Verde National Park- It is located in mesa Verde, Colorado today the park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.  Rocky Mountain National Park-It is located in Estes Park, Colorado trail Ridge Road – which crests over 12,000 feet including many overlooks to experience the subalpine and alpine worlds – along with over 300 miles of hiking trails, wildflowers, wildlife, starry nights, and fun times.

BRIEF GEOGRAPHY  Colorado’s dramatic landscape was formed by glaciers hitting, volcanoes erupting, and earthquakes happening  Colorado’s landscape is mountainous and hilly

GOVERNOR  Colorado’s governor is John W. Hickenlooper

QUARTER AND LICENSE PLATE Long Peaks is on Colorado’s quarter because it is a symbolic mountain rather than a specific place. But artist Len Buckley told The Associated Press he based the design on a photo he took of Longs Peak, the highest point in Rocky Mountain National Park The Rocky mountains is on the Colorado license plate because that is a major attraction in Colorado

FAMOUS PEOPLE  Douglas Fairbanks SR. -was famous for being an actor and director  Dwight D. Eisenhower-was famous for being president  Oprah Winfrey-is famous for being a T.V. show host

BIBLIOGRAPHY                thinkprogress.org