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[[Image:colorado.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Colorado]]

[[Image:colorado.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Colorado]]

'''Colorado''' is a state in the [[United States]].  It is known for its [[skiing]] and snowboarding resorts, such as Vail and Aspen in the Rocky Mountains, which run north-south through the state.  The winters are usually very cold and produce many snowstorms.

'''Colorado''' is a state in the [[United States]].  It is known for its [[skiing]] and snowboarding resorts, such as Vail and Aspen in the [[Rocky Mountains]], which run north-south through the state.  The winters are usually very cold and produce many snowstorms.

The United States Air Force Academy and NORAD are located in [[Colorado Springs]], Colorado.

The [[United States Air Force Academy]] and [[NORAD]] are located in [[Colorado Springs]], Colorado.

==Elevation==

==Elevation==

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.  

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 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>

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 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.

The state is bordered by [[Wyoming]], [[Nebraska]], [[Kansas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[New Mexico]], and [[Utah]]. Denver is the State capital and the largest city. The population of Colorado is approximately 4,750,000.  

The state is bordered by [[Wyoming]], [[Nebraska]], [[Kansas]], [[Oklahoma]], [[New Mexico]], and [[Utah]]. Denver is the State capital and the largest city. The population of Colorado is approximately 4,750,000.  

Colorado was the 38th state to join the Union on August 1, 1876, when President Ulysses S. Grant issued a [[proclamation]] of statehood. <ref> http://www.colorado.gov/ </ref>

Colorado was the 38th state to join the Union on August 1, 1876, when President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] issued a proclamation of statehood. <ref> http://www.colorado.gov/ </ref>

==Official Symbols==

==Official Symbols==

==Notable Coloradoans==

==Notable Coloradoans==

*James Dobson, Christian psychologist and writer.  Current head of the group Focus on the Family.

*[[James Dobson]], Christian psychologist and writer.  Current head of the group [[Focus on the Family]].

*John Elway, former [[quarterback]] for the [[Denver Broncos]].

*[[John Elway]], former [[quarterback]] for the [[Denver Broncos]].

*Horace Greeley, newspaper editor and major player in US expansion during the 19th century.

*[[Horace Greeley]], newspaper editor and major player in US expansion during the 19th century.

*[[John Kerry,]] US senator and [[Democratic]] nominee for President in 2004.  

*[[John Kerry,]] US senator and [[Democratic]] nominee for President in 2004.  

*Tom Tancredo, US Representative.  

*[[Tom Tancredo]], US Representative.  

==Statewide officials==

==Statewide officials==