On August 1st, 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a proclamation that made Colorado a state. Making it the 38th state to join the Union. Since then, August 1st has been celebrated as Colorado Day in honor of the anniversary. This year marks 147 years since the signing.
At Credit Union of Denver, we may be biased but it’s a well-known fact that Colorado is one of the best states in the country! Here are some lesser know facts about the Centennial State, including the wild, wacky, and wonderful things about this state.
The highest suspension bridge in the country can be found in Cañon City.
Built in 1929 the Royal Gorge Bridge stands 956 feet above the gorge's floor.
Colorado is the birthplace of the cheeseburger.
Denver restaurant owner Louis Ballast claimed to have invented the cheeseburger in 1935 and trademarked the term “cheeseburger”. Ballast owned the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In, located at 2776 North Speer Boulevard.
The Grand Mesa on the Western Slope is the world’s largest flat-topped mountain.
The Grand Mesa is located east of Grand Junction has an area of about 500 square miles and stands over 10,000 feet above sea level. Stretching for nearly 40 miles, the mesa is home to over 300 lakes.
Home to the famous Stanley Hotel.
In Estes Park is the Stanley Hotel, which was the inspiration behind Stephen King’s infamous horror novel, The Shinning.
Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the country.
At 10,152 feet, the former silver mining town of around 3,000 people is the highest incorporated city in North America. Leadville was originally called Silver City and was the first proposed capital of Colorado.
Denver has one of the largest park systems in the country.
The city's park system consists of more than 14,000 acres of parkland across four counties outside of Denver city limits, 22 accessible parks and 24 conservation areas.
Nederland is home to a body that has been frozen cryogenically for decades.
It’s the namesake behind their annual “Frozen Dead Guy Days” festival. A unique weekend-long festival honoring Grandpa Bredo Morstoel, with festivities including coffin races, polar plunge, and parade of hearses.
The tallest sand dunes in the country can be found in Alamosa.
The Great Sand Dunes National Park features the Star Dune reaching over 750 feet.
Colorado is home to the highest operating train track in the country.
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway has been taking visitors to the summit of Pikes Peak at 14,110 for over 130 years.
The song “America the Beautiful” was inspired by Colorado’s beauty.
Katherine Lee Bates claims her lyrics arose from a climb up Pike’s Peak.
Lakewood is home to the iconic restaurant Casa Bonita.
Considered one of the country’s top ten roadside attractions. With a cult following among Colorado residents and tourists alike, thanks to its references in pop culture, including TV show South Park. Casa Bonita has been in Lakewood for over 40 years and is designated a historic city landmark. It has been recently renovated and reopened by the creators of South Park,Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
Colorado is the only state in history to turn down the Olympics.
The 1976 Winter Olympics were supposed to be held in Denver, but citizens voted against. They claimed it would be costly, cause pollution, and increase the population. Ironically, Colorado is home to the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Olympic Training Center.
Estes Park was the state’s first place to see a movie.
The Park Theater in Estes Park built in 1913, is the oldest movie theater in Colorado and among the oldest worldwide.
Most of Colorado’s population lives along the Front Range.
Roughly 70% of the population lives alongside what is known as the Front Range Urban Corridor at the eastern base of the Rockies. It runs from Fort Collins in the north, south to past Denver, Colorado Springs, ending around Pueblo.
As you can see, there are some fantastic things to learn about Colorado’s story. This U.S. state has a rich history behind it, and this is one of the reasons it remains so popular. Be sure to get out and enjoy everything this state has to offer this week, in honor of Colorado Day.