10 Best Photo Places in the USA
Colorado (CO) is located in the western United States. Thanks to its Rocky Mountains, the state is an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Colorado is home to national parks such as Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Tourism plays an important role in Colorado’s economy, complemented by agriculture and mineral resource extraction. The capital and largest city of Colorado is Denver.
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Table of Contents
Basic Information
Name Colorado Abbreviation CO Capital Denver Largest city Denver (Population: 716 577) Current time 5:45 Time zone MST (UTC-7), the state observes Daylight Saving Time MDT (UTC-6) Population 5,773,707 (#21 most populous US state) Area 104,184 sqmi (#8 largest US state) Admitted to the Union August 1, 1876 (#38 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Colorado
The capital of the state of Colorado is Denver, named after James William Denver, who was then governor of the Kansas Territory. The area already included Montana City and other gold mining settlements, which later merged to form the city of Denver.
🏙️ Largest City in Colorado
The largest city in Colorado is the capital, Denver, which had a population of 716,577 in 2023. The second-largest city is Colorado Springs, with 488,664 residents, followed by Aurora, where 395,052 people lived.
🕒 Time in Colorado
The current time in Denver is 5:45. The entire state of Colorado observes Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7), and from March to November, it switches to Daylight Saving Time MDT (UTC-6).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Colorado
According to 2023 data, Colorado had a population of 5,773,707, ranking it 21st among the most populous U.S. states.
📍 Area of Colorado
The total area of the state of Colorado is 104,184 sqmi, of which 103,813 sqmi is land and just 371 sqmi is water. This makes Colorado the 8th largest state in the U.S.
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Fun Facts About the State of Colorado
🧩 States That Border Colorado
Colorado shares borders with six U.S. states. To the west lies Utah, to the north Wyoming, to the northeast Nebraska, to the east Kansas, to the southeast it has a short border with Oklahoma, and to the south it borders New Mexico.
📅 Colorado’s Admission to the Union
Colorado was admitted to the Union on August 1, 1876, as the 38th state, formed from the original Colorado Territory.
📛 Colorado State Nickname
Colorado is nicknamed “The Centennial State”, which refers to the fact that it joined the Union one hundred years (and fourteen days) after the United States Declaration of Independence was signed.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Colorado
The highest mountain in Colorado is Mount Elbert in the Rocky Mountains, standing at 14,440 ft. Mount Elbert was named in honor of statesman Samuel Hitt Elbert, who served as governor of the Colorado Territory from 1873 to 1874.
🏞️ Rivers in Colorado
The longest river in Colorado is the Rio Grande, with a total length across all states of 1,896 mi. It is followed by the Arkansas River (1,469 mi), Colorado River (1,450 mi), Canadian River (906 mi), and Green River (727 mi).
🎓 Universities in Colorado
The largest university in the state is the University of Colorado Boulder, with approximately 35,000 students. It was founded in 1876 and opened to students a year later. The second-largest is Colorado State University in Fort Collins, which has about 28,000 students. The third-largest is the University of Colorado Denver, with approximately 20,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Colorado
Colorado has been assigned the ZIP code range 800xx–816xx. You can read more in the article ZIP Codes in the USA, and you can look up the ZIP code for a specific address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Colorado
The best time to visit Colorado for hiking is during the fall, when the temperatures are pleasant and nature turns vibrant with color. For winter sports enthusiasts, the ideal months are December through February, when ski resorts offer perfect conditions for skiing and snowboarding.
Spring in Colorado begins later at higher elevations than in most other U.S. states. Freezing temperatures typically subside in April, when temperatures range from 34 °F to 61 °F. Melting snow in the mountains often causes flooding in lower areas, further exacerbated by relatively frequent rainfall.
Summer in Colorado brings temperatures ranging from 72 °F to 90 °F, with warmer conditions found in lower elevations. In the mountains, temperatures remain cooler. July and August are ideal for hiking and other outdoor activities, though occasional afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Fall in Colorado is among the most beautiful and photogenic seasons, as national parks turn yellow, orange, and red. From mid-September onward, temperatures drop significantly from a comfortable 54 °F to 73 °F, with the first frosts typically arriving by November. Rainfall tends to be light.
Winter in Colorado is long and harsh, especially in mountainous regions where severe frost is common. In Denver, December and January temperatures usually range between 18 °F and 45 °F.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Colorado
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What to See in Colorado
1️⃣ Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain is one of the most visited national parks in the USA, covering a total area of 415 sqmi. The park is renowned for its massive mountain peaks, which are snow-covered for most of the year. It features over 348 mi of hiking trails, including Trail Ridge Road, one of the highest paved roads in North America. Visitors may encounter bears, moose, or elk throughout the park.
2️⃣ Aspen Ski Resort
Aspen is a world-famous ski resort offering approximately 147 mi of ski slopes and numerous luxury hotels and restaurants. Conditions are ideal for both beginners and advanced skiers. During the summer season, Aspen is popular for its extensive network of hiking and mountain biking trails.
3️⃣ Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park is located in the southwestern part of the state. It was established in 1904 to better protect more than 600 cliff dwellings carved into rock. These dwellings, dating from the 11th to 13th centuries, are complemented by other archaeological sites. The most famous location in the park is Cliff Palace, which includes 150 rooms and 23 kivas and once housed about one hundred people.
4️⃣ Garden of the Gods Park
Garden of the Gods is a natural park near Colorado Springs, known for its massive red sandstone formations. The park features more than 15 mi of hiking trails, with the Siamese Twins Trail being the most scenic. At its end, a rock window offers a stunning view of Pikes Peak.
5️⃣ Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park features one of the deepest and steepest canyons in North America. Very little light reaches the depths of the canyon, which is reflected in the park’s name. The area is a popular destination for hiking and rock climbing enthusiasts. The park also offers great conditions for camping, fishing, and rafting. The most accessible part is the park’s South Rim.
6️⃣ Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
A ride on the historic train running along the narrow-gauge railway between Durango and Silverton offers a truly unique experience. The route winds through the wild landscape of southwestern Colorado, with views of canyons and towering mountains from the train windows. Some of the passenger cars are open-air, making them ideal for photography.
7️⃣ Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, with some rising over 700 ft. Visitors can ride sleds down the dunes or try sandboarding. Thanks to minimal light pollution, the park also offers excellent stargazing opportunities after dark.
8️⃣ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
The natural Red Rocks Amphitheatre is located near the town of Morrison and is known for its outstanding acoustics, making it a popular venue for concerts by world-famous artists. The amphitheater’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere is created by massive sandstone formations that surround the stage. Several hiking trails are located nearby, some offering scenic views of the mountains and the Denver suburbs in the distance.
9️⃣ The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway
The Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway is one of the highest paved roads in North America, ascending to the summit of Mount Blue Sky at an elevation of 14,140 ft. The 49 mi route leads through stunning mountain scenery, popular among cyclists as well.
Due to snow, the road is only open during the summer months. Along the way, you may spot wildlife or mountain goats. The road was formerly known as the Mount Evans Byway.
🔟 Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is one of the most famous mountains in the United States, with its summit sitting at an elevation of 14,115 ft. Because of its height, Pikes Peak is classified as a Fourteener—a list of 96 mountains in the U.S. that reach at least 14,000 feet above sea level. Interestingly, 53 of those 96 peaks are located in Colorado.
You can reach the summit by hiking, driving, or taking the cog railway. The reward is a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape and the nearby city of Colorado Springs.
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Largest Cities in Colorado
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Colorado in 2025, based on data from the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose main responsibility is conducting the national census.
City County Population 1 Denver Denver 716,577 Map of Denver 2 Colorado Springs El Paso 488,664 Map of Colorado Springs 3 Aurora Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas 395,052 Map of Aurora 4 Fort Collins Larimer 170,376 Map of Fort Collins 5 Lakewood Jefferson 155,961 Map of Lakewood 6 Thornton Adams, Weld 144,922 Map of Thornton 7 Arvada Jefferson, Adams 121,414 Map of Arvada 8 Westminster Jefferson, Adams 114,875 Map of Westminster 9 Greeley Weld 112,609 Map of Greeley 10 Pueblo Pueblo 111,077 Map of Pueblo -
Sports Teams in Colorado
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
The only NHL team is the Colorado Avalanche, whose colors are burgundy, blue, silver, and black. The team plays its home games at Ball Arena in Denver and competes in the Central Division of the Western Conference.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Since the 1970 season, Colorado has been represented in the NFL by the Denver Broncos. The team is part of the AFC West Division and has chosen orange, navy blue, and white as its official colors. The Broncos play their home games at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
The only NBA team from Colorado is the Denver Nuggets, who played their first season in 1976. The team is part of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference and plays home games at Ball Arena in Denver. Their team colors are midnight blue, yellow, red, and dark blue.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
Colorado is represented in Major League Baseball by the Colorado Rockies, who have been part of the National League’s West Division since 1993. The team colors are purple, black, silver, and white. The Rockies play their home games at Coors Field in Denver.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
The Colorado Rapids have competed in Major League Soccer since the 1996 season. They belong to the Western Conference and have adopted burgundy, blue, and silver as their team colors. All home matches are held at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.
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State Symbols of Colorado
Colorado has adopted dozens of official symbols. Below are just a few of them.
Flag of the State of Colorado
The current flag was adopted on June 5, 1911. It features a blue, white, and blue stripe with a large red letter “C” enclosing a golden circle. The colors symbolize the blue sky, white Rocky Mountains, and the abundant sunshine.
Seal of the State of Colorado
Colorado’s state seal was adopted in its current form on March 15, 1877. Its most prominent element is a shield featuring snow-capped mountains, a red sky, and mining tools.
State Amphibian
The official state amphibian since 2012 is the barred tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium), which is commonly found in the Rocky Mountains.
State Bird
The state bird of Colorado since 1931 is the lark bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys), which nests in prairie habitats.
State Flower
Since 1899, the state flower of Colorado has been the Rocky Mountain columbine (Aquilegia coerulea), a species native to the Rockies.
State Mammal
Since 1961, Colorado’s official state mammal has been the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis), long native to the region.
State Tree
The official state tree, adopted in 1939, is the Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens glauca), which grows abundantly in the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado.
State Mineral
Rhodonite became one of Colorado’s official symbols in 2002. This pink-red mineral can be found in areas such as near the town of Alma, southwest of Denver.
State Dance
Square dance was designated a state symbol in 1992. This traditional American folk dance, performed by four couples or eight dancers, is also recognized by several other U.S. states.
State Reptile
Since 2008, the official state reptile of Colorado has been the western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii), which can be found in habitats such as the Colorado River Basin.
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