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Seventeen Interesting Facts About Colorado
Our home state of Colorado will soon be 150 years old. In honor of that auspicious anniversary, the team here at Paykoc Imports got to thinking about just what it is that makes the Centennial State unique among the nation's collection of 50 states. In that spirit, we compiled the following list of 17 interesting facts about Colorado. Enjoy, and don't forget to check out our wide selection of Colorado gifts and Colorado souvenirs when you finish reading.
Colorado Trivia: 17 Interesting Facts
Without further ado, let's get into it.
ONE
Colorado became the 38th state of the United States on August 1, 1876. Due to the fact that 1876 was the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it was agreed that Colorado would adopt the nickname "The Centennial State".
TWO
Colorado is home to four National Parks. They are Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. These parks receive millions of visitors each year and represent some of the jewels of the National Park System.
TWO
Speaking of centennials, Colorado had the opportunity to host the Winter Olympics in 1976, which was the bi-centennial of the United States. But wary of the cost involved as well as the garbage and increased air pollution that would inevitably accompany the Olympic hordes, Colorado became the only state in history to decline to host the Olympic Games.
FOUR
On March 5, 1935, a trademark for the name "cheeseburger" was awarded to Louis Ballast, owner of the Humpty Dumpty restaurant on North Speer Blvd. This led Denver officials to unofficially refer to Denver and Colorado in general as the home of the cheeseburger, a title you don't hear much anymore.
SEVEN
Speaking of being a mile high… the atmosphere in Denver is much thinner than it is in sea-level cities like New York and Miami. That's been borne out repeatedly by the pro athletes who, whenever possible, come here days in advance of games with the Nuggets, Rockies, Broncos and Avalanche in order to acclimate their bodies to the atmospheric difference.
"Denver's high elevation affects cooking, breathing, and driving due to lower oxygen, and also affects sun exposure and temperature.
–The Effects of Denver’s Mile-High Elevation, AMLI Living
SIX
The Eisenhower Tunnel, located about 60 miles west of Denver on Interstate 70, has the distinction of being the highest tunnel in North America with a maximum elevation of 11,158 feet.The tunnel was opened in March of 1973 and runs 8,960 feet under the Continental Divide.
SEVEN
Some folks wonder if Denver's claim to being "The Mile High City" is borne out by the facts. And indeed it is. In fact, the 13th step on the front of the state capital building in Denver is exactly 1 mile above sea level.
EIGHT
The federal government owns more than 36% of the land in Colorado. That includes the aforementioned National Parks as well as National Monuments, Native American reservations and land controlled by the Bureau of Land Management. Compare that to neighboring Oklahoma where the government owns a mere 1.5% of the land.
NINE
In the southwest corner of the state Colorado comes into contact with New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. This is the only place in the country where 4 states converge and is quite the popular tourist spot, attracting the curious from all over the world.
TEN
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway - officially known as the Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway - which runs up the side of the legendary Pikes Peak is the highest railway in the world. Cog railways run on special tracks designed to accept the teeth of cogwheels on the train which pull the train up the steep incline. In this case to the summit at a dizzying 14,115 feet.
ELEVEN
The Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Teller County is renowned for its variety of ancient insect and plant fossils. In addition, the unique geology of the state means dinosaur fossils can be seen at places including Dinosaur National Monument, Picketwire Canyonlands and Dinosaur Ridge. No wonder the state is a major supplier of wholesale rocks and minerals to souvenir shops.
TWELVE
Colorado has the world's largest natural hot springs pool at Glenwood Springs. The largest of the hot spring pools is located just across the street from the Hotel Colorado which, in bygone days, was a favorite place for President Teddy Roosevelt to catch some R&R.
THIRTEEN
The Royal Gorge Bridge over the Arkansas River in Colorado was the highest suspension bridge in the world from 1935 until 2001 when it was surpassed by the Liuguanghe Bridge in China which, in turn, was surpassed in 2009 by the current record holder: the 1,627-foot high Sidu River Bridge, also in China.
FOURTEEN
Speaking of politicians… On March 17, 1905, the state of Colorado had 3 governors. How did this come about? Well, on that day the Democratic Governor Alva Adams was forced to resign when it was discovered that he'd won by cheating. (In one district that had 100 registered voters Adams received 717 votes!) James Peobody, his Republican opponent, was sworn in on the condition that he resign immediately and turn the governorship over to his Lieutenant Governor, Jesse McDonald, which he did.
FIFTEEN
During the first half of the 19th century what is now the state of Colorado was claimed by both Mexico and the US. In 1848 the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War. A key part of that treaty stipulated that Mexico relinquish its claim to all lands north of the Rio Grande. That was a sizable chunk of territory that included not only Colorado but also California, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Nevada.
SIXTEEN
The Mount Evans Scenic Byway is the highest paved road in North America. It can be found running south off of Interstate 70 in Idaho Springs. Near its end, the road climbs to an incredible 14,258 feet on Mount Blue Sky and provides spectacular views of the nearby Pikes Peak and other mountains.
SEVENTEEN
Finally, the Park Theater in Estes Park built in 1913 was one of the first movie theaters in the country and some claim, the world. Incredibly the theater with its impressive art deco facade is still in operation with daily showings of first run movies!
For the Widest Selection of Wholesale Colorado Souvenirs, Trust Paykoc
At Paykoc Imports we carry a wide range of compelling wholesale Colorado gifts that perfectly reflect the state we love so much. If you are in search of a supplier of Colorado gifts for your souvenir shop head over to Paykoc Imports in Denver or check out our website at paykocimports.com.