Synergies for Life

Welcome to this page full of interesting facts about the best state in the United States of America, COLORFUL COLORADO. By no means is this all-inclusive information. But, hopefully you enjoy reading, and even learning about the 8th largest state in size, 22nd in population, and my home state: Beautiful, Colorful Colorado.

Early History

The earliest known inhabitants in Colorado were here over 13,000 years ago!! In what is northern Colorado, near the border with Wyoming, is a place called the Lindenmeier Site, where objects used by those inhabitants have been discovered, and determined to be from around 11,200 B.C. It is believed they hunted the large bison herds in the area. It wasn’t until the year 1541 that the famous Spanish explorer (and first European), Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, arrived in Colorado searching for the legendary city of gold.

In 1858, Gold was discovered in Colorado; not the legendary city, but the precious metal in the rock. People flocked here to try to find their riches. Then, on August 1st, 1876, Statehood was granted to Colorado. And being that it was the 100th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America, Colorado became known as the Centennial State.

Colorado Flag

On May 6th, 1911, the state Senate adopted a new state flag design (still flown today) in Senate Bill 118, which also designated 10 significations listed below.

• Red “C” for Colorado, which means “colored red”, as the Spainards described the color of the dirt flowing into the river water.
• The “C” for Centennial, as Colorado achieved Statehood on the 100th anniversary of American Independence.
• The “C” for the Rocky Mountain Columbine, the official state flower.
• The gold center symbolizes the beautiful year-round sunshine.
• The gold center also symbolizes the most precious of metals, of which Colorado produces more than all other states.
• The blue stripes represent the always-smiling blue skies of the Rocky Mountain Region.
• The white stripe represents the precious white metal, silver, which Colorado leads in production over all other states.
• The white stripe also represents the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountain Region.
• The blue/white stripes together represent the colors of the beautiful state flower, the Rocky Mountain Columbine.
• The intertwined gold/silver cords (not pictured but hung when flag is displayed) symbolize the union and harmony of the sterling people of Colorado.

State Animals

In addition to the state flower, there are different official representatives from the animal kingdom. The State Mammal is the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. State Fish is the Greenback Cutthroat Trout. State Bird is the Lark Bunting. And, just a few years ago (2008), Colorado recognized the Western Painted Turtle as the State Reptile, thanks to the efforts of a 4th grade class.

Mountains! And Highest Paved Roads

Undoubtedly, when most people think of Colorado, they think of mountains, with good reason. Colorado is home to 58 out of 96 total mountain peaks in the nation over 14,000 feet in elevation (4300 meters). The highest peak in Colorado is Mt Elbert, standing at 14,439 ft (4443 meters). The highest paved road in America (and one of the highest in the world) is the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway. You can drive up to its peak at 14,132 ft. (4348 meters). In second place is the road that goes up to what is probably the most famous, Pikes Peak, at 14,115 ft. (4343 meters).

Of note: Katherine Lee Bates was so moved standing at the top of Pikes Peak, she wrote the song “America”, which later had its titled changed to “America The Beautiful”, a song that is sung or played at every Major League Baseball game, and beyond.

The fourth highest paved road in America is Trail Ridge Road (12,201 ft/3754 meters). It connects Estes Park (home of the famous Stanley Hotel) to Grand Lake. Coming in at #5 is Cottonwood Pass (12,126 ft/3731 meters). Next is Independence Pass (12,112 ft/3727 meters), and Loveland Pass (11,992 ft/3690 meters). Guanella Pass (11,660 ft/3588 meters) is #8. And Hoosier Pass (11,532 ft/3548 meters) is #9. In the top 9, only #3 is not in Colorado (it is on the big island of Hawaii).

Mountains = Snow = Skiing and More

Colorado is the #1 skiing destination in North America. There are 28 ski resorts and hundreds of miles of varied terrain to accommodate skiers of all levels. The snow quality is exceptional, too. A few resorts always race to be the first to open their terrain for the new season. And then, try to stay open the latest into the spring/summer. There is one area in particular that, due to its geography, is often open on select runs until the 4th of July.

But, not only is alpine skiing popular. Nordic skiing is, too. And, there are probably thousands of miles of trails and back country available to those cross-country skiers. In addition, snow-shoeing has become quite popular as well. But people who participate in these as well as those on snow mobiles must be prepared for any kind of injury, medical emergency, and avalanches. Beacons, rescue equipment, etc should all be part of your equipment. Another very popular winter pastime is ice fishing.

Medicinal Value in Elevation

Yes, Colorful Colorado has the mountains. But, about 1/3 of Colorado is also grassy plains. Interestingly, the lowest point in elevation in Colorado is 3,317 ft. While that itself may not be interesting, the fact is that it is still higher in elevation than the highest points in 18 other states. And, it is the reason that the renowned respiratory hospital, National Jewish Health, set up shop in Denver, Colorado in 1899 to treat tuberculosis patients. The dryer/less humid air along with less oxygen in the air because of the altitude made it difficult for the tuberculosis to proliferate and patients recovered more quickly and completely.

Produce Perfection

One thing that people living outside of Colorful Colorado may not realize, is that there are some best-in-the-universe fruits and vegetables grown here. People I have met from out of state think that Georgia has the best peaches. While they might be good, they are no match against the Palisade Peach. Even those people who have raved about Georgia peaches have had to admit that the Palisade Peaches are the best they have ever had.

Just down the road a ways from Palisade, in Olathe (pronounced oh-LAY-thuh), farmers grow the best sweet corn EVER! A friend who had migrated from Baltimore, MD kept arguing with me that Olathe Sweet Corn could not be as good as I had told him – until he tried it. Now, he won’t eat anything else. And, it really does have to do with the warm days and cool nights, growing at an elevation of around 5,350 ft (1646 meters). Then, in southeastern part of the state grows Rocky Ford Cantaloupe. They are juicy, sweet, and just the best cantaloupe to be had.

Monuments and Parks

Colorado is home to nine national monuments:

• Browns Canyon
• Camp Hale – Continental Divide National Monument
• Canyons of the Ancients
• Chimney Rock
• Colorado National Monument
• Dinosaur National Monument
• Florissant Fossil Beds
• Hovenweep
• Yucca House

There are also four national parks:

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison
• Great Sand Dunes
• Mesa Verde
• Rocky Mountain

Some random facts about Colorful Colorado:

• The Cheeseburger was invented/patented in Denver, CO in 1935.
• The largest and most revered Rodeo in the world, the Western Stock Show, has been taking place since 1869, when the first rodeo in the U.S. was held on July 4th.
• Home to the largest flat top mountain in the world, the Grand Mesa, a long-extinct volcano. It encompasses over 500 sq miles (805 sq km), has over 200 natural lakes, and an average elevation of around 10,500 ft (3231 meters).
• Home to the Air Force Academy as well as N.O.R.A.D. housed within the granite Cheyenne Mountain.
• The highest elevation vineyards in the U.S., with most viticulture practiced between 4000 and 7000 ft elevation (1231-2154 meters).
• The deepest hot springs on earth is the Mother Spring Aquifer located near Pagosa Springs, lying at 1,002 feet deep (308 meters).
• It is possible to be in four different states at the same time in the southwest corner of Colorado where the state line meets with Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico all at the same point. It is the only place in the U.S. where this occurs and is appropriately called the Four Corners.
• More microbreweries than any other state with over 400.

A Couple of the More Quirky But Fun Things in Colorful Colorado

In Nederland they have a three-day celebration for Frozen Dead Guy, Norwegian Bredo Morstoel. He really is in cryopreservation, on ice, in a Tough Shed. Volunteers go once a month to pack Bredo’s body with 1,600 pounds of dry ice and keep him at a constant temperature of -60°F (-51°C).

And, in Western Colorado in the town of Fruita, there’s an annual celebration of Mike The Headless Chicken. Mike was destined for the dinner table. But, as luck would have it, the swing of the axe hit above Mike’s brain stem. Instead of running around for a few seconds before succumbing to death, Mike lived. His owner ended up feeding him with an eye dropper and would have to sometimes suction out mucus. But, they traveled for several months showing off the headless chicken. He lived for 18 months after “losing” his head! Unfortunately, on the road in a motel, during the night, Mike needed suctioned but didn’t get it. He died, but his memory lives on and is celebrated with a festival.

Thank you for reading about my favorite state. Feel free to Contact Me with any comments.

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