One of the most scenic states in the U.S. is
Colorado, as it lies in the Southern Rocky Mountains, the
Colorado Plateau, and the Great Plains. The state’s setting
supplies it with a beautiful assortment of plains, mountains,
canyons, rivers, forests, and mesas. It contains many of the
country’s highest summits as well as several national parks,
monuments, recreation areas, trails, grasslands, wilderness
areas, conservation areas, and wildlife refuges.
Colorado is the 22nd largest state population-wise
with about five million people and is the eight-largest in size.
The capital and most populated city is Denver, with other
popular centers being Aurora, Lakewood, Westminster, Durango,
Grand Junction, Aspen, Glenwood Springs, Vail, Boulder, Colorado
Springs, Montrose, Frisco, and Pueblo. Colorado became the 38th
state to enter the Union back in 1876 and it’s now divided into
64 counties.
The weather will depend on which area of the state
you’re visiting, so it’s a good idea to do a little research
before going as it can get pretty extreme.
But generally, Colorado summers are pretty warm and humid and
the winters are cold. This makes the area one of the most
popular in the country for all types of snow skiing in the
winter.
The Colorado area was originally settled by
Native Americans thousands of years ago with some artifacts
dating back to about 11000 BC. Silver was discovered near the
town of Leadville in the 1870s and this launched the Colorado
Silver Boom. These days, the state offers a lot in the way of
arts and culture to go along with its natural beauty, resources,
and scenery. This includes the ballet, museums, art galleries,
festivals, and the theatre.
The major airport in Colorado is located in
Denver and there are several smaller ones for regional and
cross-country traffic. Many of the cities can also be reached by
train as the Amtrak Passenger Railroad stops at several of them.
The major centers are joined by highways and regional roads and
once you get to your destination you’ll find most of the bigger
towns have regional buses. Renting a car’s a good idea as it
allows you to check out the amazing scenery at you own pace and
leisure.
Some of the most popular attractions include:
Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, Colorado National
Monument, Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, Curecanti
National Recreation Area, Dinosaur National Monument, Great Sand
Dunes National Park and Preserve, Pony Express National Historic
Trail, Mesa Verde National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site,
Santa Fe National Historic Trail, and the Rocky Mountain
National Park.
Sports lovers will be glad to know Colorado has
its share of professional teams with the Colorado Rockies
competing in Major League Baseball, the Colorado Avalanche in
the NHL, the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer (MLS), the
Denver Broncos in the NFL, and the Denver Nuggets in the NBA.
The state also has quite a few minor pro teams to follow.
Most of the sports franchises are located in
Denver, as are the majority of arts and cultural centers. So if
you’re looking for a good taste of the city life, Denver’s the
most popular place to go as it has a lot to offer from museums
to a pulsating nightlife. You’ll find a good choice of
accommodations and restaurants in Colorado and there are plenty
of them in all price ranges.
Colorado offers so much to see. This includes
fantastic countryside for backpackers, sports enthusiasts, and
campers to enjoy along with a world-class city such as Denver.
About Colorado