1. The Centennial State . . . Colorful Colorado
3rd Grade
October 2009

2. State Facts Capital: Denver Population: 4,301,261
Nickname: The Centennial State and Colorful Colorado
Motto: Nothing Without Providence
Date of Admission: Aug. 1, 1876

3. State Symbols State Flower: Rocky Mountain Columbine
State Bird: Lark Bunting
State Tree: Colorado Blue Spruce

4. Vail
Vs.
Palmer Lake
Vail is an interesting place to visit in Colorado. Vail is located in the center of Colorado and at the heart of the rocky mountains. It has become a well known ski resort that attracts many tourists each year. Tourists enjoy skiing in the winter and biking and hiking in the summer.
Vail and Palmer Lake are similar places to live and visit. First of all, both are small towns in Colorado. Second, they are both have mountain landscapes. Vail and Palmer Lake also have some differences. For one, Palmer Lake does not have a ski area. Also, tourists do not come from all over the world to visit Palmer Lake like they do Vail.
Although I love Palmer Lake, I would also love to live in Vail. First of all, it has the same mountainous landscape that I love about Palmer Lake. Also, I love to ski, hike, and bike and those are all activities that I could do in Vail. Last, it is a small town. I don’t like big cities because they are crowded and too busy. Vail is quiet and relaxed. Vail would be a wonderful place to live!

5. Interesting Facts
Once the Rocky Mountains were full of silver.  Now people come to the Rockies to ski!
Colorado is the highest state and has more mountains reaching 14,000 feet than any other state.
"Grand Mesa," the world's largest flat-top plateau, is also found in Colorado.
Every year Denver hosts the world's largest rodeo, the Western Stock show.

6. Resources Carpenter, Allan, Colorado. New York: Wilson, 1992.