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A number of Colorado cities are located near the Front Range of the Rockies, at elevations of around 5,000 feet. [[Denver]], its capital and largest city, is sometimes called "The Mile-High City, because the official elevation of Denver City Hall is exactly 5,280 feet.  

A number of Colorado cities are located near the Front Range of the Rockies, at elevations of around 5,000 feet. [[Denver]], its capital and largest city, is sometimes called "The Mile-High City, because the official elevation of Denver City Hall is exactly 5,280 feet.  

Mount Elbert is the highest point in Colorado, at an elevation of 14,440 feet. It is one of over 500 mountains in the state that exceed 13,000 feet. The entire state lies at an elevation over 3,000 feet.  

[[Mount Elbert]] is the highest point in Colorado, at an elevation of 14,440 feet. It is one of over 500 mountains in the state that exceed 13,000 feet. The entire state lies at an elevation over 3,000 feet.  

At elevations of 5,000 feet, the air is thinner and air pressure is lower than at sea level. It is not unusual for visitors to feel lightheaded for a day or two until they adjust (but actual altitude sickness is very rare). At this altitude, skies are a clearer, brighter blue than at sea level.  

At elevations of 5,000 feet, the air is thinner and air pressure is lower than at sea level. It is not unusual for visitors to feel lightheaded for a day or two until they adjust (but actual altitude sickness is very rare). At this altitude, skies are a clearer, brighter blue than at sea level.  

The [[Native American]] (Indian) groups indigenous to Colorado were the [[Anasazi]] and [[Utes]] who lived in the mountainous regions, and several tribes who lived in the flatlands and near the rivers at various times including the [[Cheyenne]], [[Arapaho]], [[Kiowa]], [[Comanche]], [[Pawnee]] and [[Sioux]]. <ref> http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/histfaqs.htm </ref>

The [[Native American]] (Indian) groups indigenous to Colorado were the [[Anasazi]] and [[Utes]] who lived in the mountainous regions, and several tribes who lived in the flatlands and near the rivers at various times including the [[Cheyenne]], [[Arapaho]], [[Kiowa]], [[Comanche]], [[Pawnee]] and [[Sioux]]. <ref> http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/histfaqs.htm </ref>

It is believed that the Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado was the first European on record to have entered the land that is now Colorado. <ref> http://www.colorado.gov/ </ref> The Spanish called the area Colorado because of its red colored earth.  

It is believed that in 1541 the Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado was the first European on record to have entered the land that is now Colorado. <ref> http://www.colorado.gov/ </ref> The Spanish called the area Colorado because of its red colored earth. The name is also sometimes credited to a Jesuit, Francisco Garcia, who in 1776 named the land after the Colorado River. <ref>Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (Oxford 2005) p 116</ref>

 

The name is also sometimes credited to a Jesuit, Francisco Garcia, who in 1776 named the land after the Colorado River. <ref>Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (Oxford 2005) p 116</ref>

The United States acquired land including part of what is now Colorado in 1803 through the [[Louisiana Purchase]]. In 1848 through the [[Treaty of Hidalgo]], [[Mexico]] ceded to the United States more land that is now part of Colorado, and the Federal Government purchased the remainder of it in 1850. Before gaining statehood, Colorado was part of the [[Nebraska]], [[Utah]], [[Kansas]], and [[New Mexico]] Territories, and in 1861 [[Congress]] created the Territory of Colorado. The state now encompasses 104,247 square miles.

The United States acquired land including part of what is now Colorado in 1803 through the [[Louisiana Purchase]]. In 1848 through the [[Treaty of Hidalgo]], [[Mexico]] ceded to the United States more land that is now part of Colorado, and the Federal Government purchased the remainder of it in 1850. Before gaining statehood, Colorado was part of the [[Nebraska]], [[Utah]], [[Kansas]], and [[New Mexico]] Territories, and in 1861 [[Congress]] created the Territory of Colorado. The state now encompasses 104,247 square miles.