Capital: Denver

State abbreviation/Postal code: Colo./CO

Governor: Bill Ritter, D (to Jan. 2011)

Lieut. Governor: Barbara O'Brien, D (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Wayne A. Allard, R (to Jan. 2009); Ken Salazar, D (to Jan. 2011)

U.S. Representatives: 7

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Mike Coffman, R (to Jan. 2011)

Treasurer: Cary Kennedy, D (to Jan. 2011)

Atty. General: John W. Suthers, R (to Jan. 2011)

Organized as territory: Feb. 28, 1861

Entered Union (rank): Aug. 1, 1876 (38)

Present constitution adopted: 1876

Motto: Nil sine Numine (Nothing without Providence)

State symbols:

Nickname: Centennial State

Origin of name: From the Spanish, “ruddy” or “red”

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Denver, 557,917; Colorado Springs, 369,815; Aurora, 297,235; Lakewood, 140,671; Fort Collins, 128,026; Thornton, 105,182; Westminster, 105,084; Arvada, 103,966; Pueblo, 103,495; Centennial, 98,243

Land area: 103,717 sq mi. (268,627 sq km)

Geographic center: In Park Co., 30 mi. NW of Pikes Peak

Number of counties: 64

Largest county by population and area: El Paso 565,582 (2005); Las Animas, 4,773 sq mi.

State forests: 1 (71,000 ac.)

State parks: 44 (160,000 ac.)

Residents: Coloradan, Coloradoan

2005 resident population est.: 4,665,177

2000 resident census population (rank): 4,301,261 (24). Male: 2,165,983 (50.4%); Female: 2,135,278 (49.6%). White: 3,560,005 (82.8%); Black: 165,063 (3.8%); American Indian: 44,241 (1.0%); Asian: 95,213 (2.2%); Other race: 309,931 (7.2%); Two or more races: 122,187 (2.8%); Hispanic/Latino: 735,601 (17.1%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 74.4; 65 and over: 9.7; median age: 34.3.

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