Colorado Uncovered: Fun Facts and Hidden Gems
Explore the state of Colorado through these engaging, punchy facts that blend authentic details with the spirit of a true Colorado adventure.
Fun Facts about Denver
- 300+ Days of Sunshine: Denver records an average of over 300 days of sunshine per year--more than San Diego or Miami Beach.
- Mile High City:At an elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver is nicknamed the "Mile High City."
- Sports Hub: Catch NFL (Broncos), MLB (Rockies), NHL (Avalanche), and NBA (Nuggets) action—all within a three-mile radius.
- State Capitol Elevation: The 13th step of the capital building in Denver is exactly one mile high above sea level.
- Iconic Marble: "Beulah red" is the name of the red marble that gives the State Capitol its distinctive color. Cutting, polishing, and installing the marble took six years (from 1894 to 1900). All the Beulah red marble in the world went into the Capitol and it cannot be replaced at any price.
- Cheeseburger Origins: Denver lays claim to the invention of the cheeseburger, trademarked in 1935 by Louis Ballast of Humpty Dumpty Drive-In.
Fun Facts about Colorado
- Mountain Majesty: Colorado’s mountainous region, part of the vast Rocky Mountains, is six times the size of Switzerland, featuring 9,600 miles of fishing streams, 2,850 lakes, and over 1,000 peaks.
- Fourteeners Galore: Out of 91 U.S. “fourteeners” (peaks over 14,000 feet), 56 proudly call Colorado home. The state contains 75% of the U.S. land area above 10,000 feet.
- Unique State Corners: Explore the only point in America where four states converge—Colorado’s southwest corner borders Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
- Epic Hiking Trail: The 500-mile Colorado Trail runs from Durango to Denver, crossing eight mountain ranges, seven national forests, six wilderness areas, and five river systems.
- Centennial Legacy: Colorado is nicknamed the "Centennial State" because it became a state in the year 1876. That's 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
- Colorado River: The Colorado River, named from the Spanish word for "red" due to the red silt it carries, flows through multiple states before reaching Mexico.
- Colorado Springs: Home to the United States Air Force Academy, and the nearest city to Pikes Peak where Katherine Lee Bates penned "America the Beautiful" in 1893.
- National Parks: One-third of Colorado's land is owned by the United States Federal Government, like Great Sand Dunes National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, offering a wealth of outdoor activities and scenic beauty.
Highest, Longest, Largest
- Auto Tunnel Elevation: The Dwight Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel is the world’s highest auto tunnel, cutting through the Continental Divide at 11,000 feet and stretching 8,960 feet long.
- Paved to New Heights: Experience the highest paved road in North America near Idaho Springs on the route to Mount Evans, ascending to 14,258 feet.
- Top City: Leadville stands as the highest incorporated city in the U.S. at 10,430 feet.
- Suspension Marvel: Near Canon City, the highest suspension bridge in the world spans the Royal Gorge at 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River.
- Longest Continuous Street: Colfax Avenue in downtown Denver is recognized as the longest continuous street in America.
- Expansive Parks: Denver boasts the largest city park system in the nation, with 205 parks and 20,000 acres of recreational space.
- Rodeo Grandeur: Every year, Denver hosts the world’s largest indoor rodeo—the National Western Stock Show.
- Flat-Top Giant: Discover Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain.
- Hot Springs Wonder: Visit Glenwood Springs to experience the world’s largest natural hot springs pool, spanning two city blocks.
From the sunny streets of Denver to the rugged peaks and expansive wilderness of Colorado, we hope that you enjoyed these facts that tell the story of natural beauty, innovation, and history of the beautiful state with these Colorado fun facts.