21 Fun Facts About Colorado: Grand Mesa Mountain Is Unique!

by Petr Novák, ? This article’s information was last verified on this date. If you notice any errors, let us know in the comments. Thank you! :-) Updated 02/24/2025 Colorado, Trivia About the US states

Every third weekend in May, the city of Fruita hosts a traditional festival celebrating a headless chicken. Its owner beheaded it in 1945, but the chicken lived on. Can you guess how long it lived without its head? The state of Colorado is notable for its high percentage of land owned by the U.S. government. And why did its residents reject hosting the Olympics?

1. Table of Contents

   1. The Chicken in Fruita Lived 18 Months Without Its Head
   2. Colorado Is Home to the Highest City in the U.S.
   3. Colorado Was the Only City to Reject Hosting the Olympics
   4. The Invention of the Cheeseburger Is Claimed by a Man from Denver
   5. Glenwood Springs Is Home to the World’s Largest Hot Springs Pool
   6. Colorado Has the Highest Paved Road in North America
   7. The Denver Mint Is One of the Largest Coin Producers in the World
   8. Denver Is Exactly One Mile Above Sea Level
   9. Grand Mesa Is the Largest Flat-Topped Mountain in the World
   10. Denver Has the Longest Commercial Street in America
   11. More Than One-Third of Land in Colorado is Owned by the U.S. Government
   12. Colorado is Home to the Highest Road Tunnel in the U.S.
   13. Four U.S. States Meet at the Southwest Corner of Colorado
   14. Colorado Has the Highest Average Elevation of Any U.S. State
   15. Record Temperatures in Colorado
   16. Colorado is Home to the Tallest Sand Dunes in North America
   17. The Dome of the Colorado State Capitol is Covered in Real Gold
   18. Colorado is Home to the Tallest Suspension Bridge in the U.S.
   19. Creede is Home to the Largest Fork in the U.S.
   20. Colorado Laws Prohibit Car Sales on Sundays
   21. How Colorado Got Its Name

   The Chicken in Fruita Lived 18 Months Without Its Head

   The city of Fruita in western Colorado became famous for Mike the Chicken, which survived for 18 months without its head. In 1945, its owner attempted to kill it, but due to a rare combination of circumstances, part of its brainstem remained intact. The chicken survived and lived until March 17, 1947.

   The chicken was later named Mike and gained popularity as it traveled across the country as an attraction. Its owner fed it through a dropper directly into its throat, and Fruita celebrates the Mike the Headless Chicken Day every year. Although many consider the event fictional, it is well-documented, and its authenticity has been confirmed by university scientists.

2. Colorado Is Home to the Highest City in the U.S.

   In central Colorado lies Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the United States. Leadville sits at an elevation of 10,152 ft, and visitors may be surprised by the thin air and altitude sickness that can occur.

   Leadville experienced a historical boom during the mining rush of the late 19th century. At one point, it even had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the country.

3. Colorado Was the Only City to Reject Hosting the Olympics

   Denver was initially chosen in May 1970 to host the Winter Olympics in 1976. However, the city’s residents voiced concerns about exceeding the budget, negative environmental impacts, and uncontrolled urban sprawl. In an unexpected referendum, they decided to decline hosting the Olympics. 358,906 people voted in favor, while 537,400 opposed the bid.

   This decision went down in history as the first rejection of an Olympic bid. The International Olympic Committee was then forced to move the games to Innsbruck, Austria. This move was exceptional at the time, as most countries and cities were eager to host the Olympics.

4. The Invention of the Cheeseburger Is Claimed by a Man from Denver

   While the invention of the hamburger is credited to a restaurant in Connecticut, the first cheeseburger was created by Louis Ballast from Denver, who owned the Humpty Dumpty Barrel Drive-In in the 1930s.

   In 1935, he trademarked the term “cheeseburger” and claims to be the first to add a slice of cheese to a hamburger. Several people dispute the claim, but Ballast’s trademark holds weight. He experimented with different types of cheese and ultimately chose a variety of cheddar that melted well and had a distinct flavor. The restaurant was demolished in the 1960s, and a commemorative plaque today marks the cheeseburger’s origin.

5. Glenwood Springs Is Home to the World’s Largest Hot Springs Pool

   Glenwood Springs in Colorado is home to the world’s largest natural hot springs pool. Spanning over two city blocks, it is fed by the Yampah hot spring and measures 405 ft × 100 ft.

   The spring produces about thirteen and a quarter million liters of water daily at a temperature of 122 °F. Rich in minerals, the water has been used for relaxation and therapeutic purposes since the late 19th century.

6. Colorado Has the Highest Paved Road in North America

   Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway (formerly known as Mount Evans Scenic Byway until 2023) holds the title of the highest paved road in North America. The road ascends to an elevation of 14,258 ft and provides access to the summit of Mount Blue Sky.

   The road offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains, with ecosystems ranging from dense forests to tundra along its relatively short stretch. Mount Blue Sky is open from late May to early September, depending on the weather.

7. The Denver Mint Is One of the Largest Coin Producers in the World

   The Denver Mint in Colorado opened in 1906 and originally served to mint gold and silver from local mines. The mint is one of the largest coin producers in the world, producing billions of coins each year, including all denominations of U.S. currency coins. The mint’s coins can be recognized by the “D” mintmark.

   The Denver Mint offers guided tours of the building, though strict security measures are in place, and photography is prohibited due to the large quantities of precious metals and cash stored inside.

8. Denver Is Exactly One Mile Above Sea Level

   Denver is known as “The Mile-High City” because it is located exactly one mile (5,279 ft) above sea level. This fact is commemorated by the 13th step at the Colorado State Capitol, which is positioned exactly one mile above sea level.

   Denver’s elevation contributes to its sunny climate, with over 300 sunny days per year on average.

9. Grand Mesa Is the Largest Flat-Topped Mountain in the World

   Grand Mesa in Colorado is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world, spanning about 500 sqmi in the western part of the state. The mesa rises approximately 6,000 ft above the surrounding valley, and unlike most mountain ranges with sharp peaks, Grand Mesa is a plateau.

   Grand Mesa is home to hundreds of natural lakes, most of which are inhabited by fish. The highest peak of Grand Mesa is Crater Peak, which stands at an elevation of 11,333 ft. Crater Peak is also the world’s highest flat-topped mountain.

10. Denver Has the Longest Commercial Street in America

    Colfax Avenue in Denver is the longest continuous commercial street in the United States. It stretches from east to west through several neighborhoods and commercial zones, covering a total length of 26.5 mi.

    Historically, Colfax Avenue was a hub of activity, with numerous theaters, restaurants, shops, and cultural landmarks. Over the decades, the street has undergone several transformations.

11. More Than One-Third of Land in Colorado is Owned by the U.S. Government

    The U.S. federal government owns approximately 36.2% of Colorado’s total land area, which is about 37,715 sqmi of the total 104,184 sqmi.

    The largest portion of this land is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, which oversees about 60.1%. Approximately 34.7% is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, 2.8% is managed by the National Park Service, 1.7% is under the control of the Department of Defense, and 0.7% is overseen by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

12. Colorado is Home to the Highest Road Tunnel in the U.S.

    The Eisenhower–Edwin C. Johnson Memorial Tunnel is located in Colorado on Interstate 70, west of Denver, and provides a key transportation link through the Rocky Mountains. The tunnel is 1.69 mi long, and its highest point is at an elevation of 11,158 ft, making the Eisenhower Tunnel the highest road tunnel in the United States.

    The tunnel consists of two tubes, each named after a different figure. The westbound tunnel is named after former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and opened in 1973, while the eastbound tunnel, named after Governor Edwin C. Johnson, opened in 1979. In the first 50 years of operation, the tunnel has seen 434 million vehicles pass through.

13. Four U.S. States Meet at the Southwest Corner of Colorado

    The Four Corners Monument is a unique location where four different U.S. states meet at a single point—Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Visitors can stand at the marker and simultaneously be in four different states.

    This popular tourist attraction is managed by the Navajo Nation and offers an interesting glimpse into the heritage of the region.

14. Colorado Has the Highest Average Elevation of Any U.S. State

    Colorado’s average elevation is approximately 6,800 ft, the highest of any U.S. state. When considering all land in the United States above 10,000 ft, 75% of it is located in Colorado. The Rocky Mountains significantly contribute to this high average elevation.

    Colorado is home to 58 mountain peaks known as the “Fourteeners,” as their elevation exceeds 14,000 ft. The highest peak in Colorado and the Rocky Mountains is Mount Elbert, standing at 14,440 ft.

15. Record Temperatures in Colorado

    The highest temperature ever recorded in Colorado was 115.0 °F measured at the John Martin Dam in the southeastern part of the state on July 20, 2019.

    The lowest temperature ever recorded in Colorado was -61.1 °F on February 1, 1985, in the town of Maybell in the northwest part of the state. The highest snowfall recorded was 638 cm, observed on March 31, 1979, at Wolf Creek Pass.

16. Colorado is Home to the Tallest Sand Dunes in North America

    The Great Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, some of which rise up to 751 ft. The dunes have formed over thousands of years as wind and water have carried sand from the San Juan Mountains.

    Visitors to the national park can enjoy hiking, sandboarding, and sledding down the dunes. Due to minimal light pollution, the park also offers ideal conditions for stargazing at night.

17. The Dome of the Colorado State Capitol is Covered in Real Gold

    The iconic gold dome of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver has been covered in real gold leaf since 1908. When the dome was first gilded, gold from local mines was used, but due to wear and weathering, the surface has been regularly refurbished.

    The gold used in the most recent restoration in 2013 was donated by AngloGold Ashanti, sourced from the same mine in Teller County as the original gold. Approximately 4.06 lb of 24-carat gold was used to re-gild the dome. When donated in 2012, the estimated value of the gold, refining, and transportation was $125,000 at the time.

18. Colorado is Home to the Tallest Suspension Bridge in the U.S.

    Near the town of Cañon City in Colorado stands the Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in the United States. Spanning the Arkansas River, the bridge was completed in 1929 in just six months and stands at a height of 1,053 ft above the river.

    Visitors can walk across the bridge and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

19. Creede is Home to the Largest Fork in the U.S.

    In the small town of Creede in southwestern Colorado stands the largest fork in the United States. This aluminum sculpture stands 40.0 ft tall and weighs around 600 lb. It was created by local artists Chev and Ted Yund as a birthday gift to surpass the previous record-holder, a fork measuring 35.0 ft located in Missouri.

    The fork in Creede has since become a quirky landmark and adds to the town’s appeal as a tourist destination.

20. Colorado Laws Prohibit Car Sales on Sundays

    In Colorado, it is illegal to sell cars on Sundays. A peculiar law passed in 1953 stipulates that car dealerships cannot operate on the first day of the week, and surprisingly, it is still in effect today. The law was historically enacted to enforce religious norms, which designated Sunday as a day of rest.

21. How Colorado Got Its Name

    The name of the state of Colorado comes from the Spanish term for “colored red” or “red,” referring to the reddish sediment of the Colorado River. Spanish explorers first used the term to describe the river’s sediment, and later, the name extended to describe the region and eventually the entire state.