Explore this Map of Colorado to know everything you want to know. Learn about the location of this state in the United States of America. Check out its geography, time zones, history, major cities, national parks, trails, flag, capital, and many more.

About Colorado

Colorado is the 38th state of the United States, which was admitted to the union on August 1, 1876. Denver is Colorado’s capital city. It is also the state’s largest city and metro/urban area. 

English is the official language of Colorado. Colorado is one of the top 10 most populous states in the US. While “The Centennial State” is its nickname, “Nil sine numine” is the State Motto. “Nil sine numine” means Nothing without providence. Learn more about this US state from key facts of Colorado.

Colorado Flag

Colorado’s state flag has two parallel horizontal blue stripes at two ends and a white stripe in the middle. Letter “C” sits almost at the flag’s center on all three stripes. The “C” letter is red with a yellow or gold-colored disc at the center of C. Here, 

C stands for:

• Colorado: It is the name of the state. Colorado is a Spanish word that means “red”.
• Columbine: It is the state flower.
• Centennial State: It is the nickname of Colorado state. This nickname was chosen because in 1876 (the year when Colorado assumed statehood) the centennial of independence was celebrated.

US flag’s blue, white, and red colors appear on the flag. At the same time, you’ll also find white, yellow, and blue colors of the columbine. The Colorado flag’s yellow and white colors indicate the area’s extensive gold and silver deposits. 

Andrew Carlisle Johnson had done the original design of the Colorado flag. In 1911, this design was approved. However, over the years, some changes were made. On March 31, 1964, the present design of the flag was approved.

Colorado State Symbols

The official emblem of Colorado is called The Great State Seal of Colorado. On November 6, 1861, the First Territorial Assembly’s Joint Resolution was adopted. An Act of Colorado state’s First General Assembly provided statehood’s official statutory provision seal. On March 15, 1877, approval was given. 

The Great State Seal of Colorado’s design consists of:

• An all-seeing “Eye of God” within a triangle.
• A scroll or Roman fasces is there just below the triangle. It indicates the government’s republic form. This scroll is made up of a bundle of elm rods and birch along with a battle-ax. The bundle of rods shows the strength in unity of the rods, which is lacking in the case of a single rod. The battle-ax represents leadership and authority.
• Three bands of blue, white, and red colors surround the fasces. “Union and Constitution” is written on them.
• Below the scroll, a heraldic shield is situated. This shield consists of three snow-capped mountains, as well as mining tools. 
• The Latin phrase “Nil Sine Numine”, meaning “Nothing without Providence (or Deity)” is written on the seal. Below that, 1876, the year when Colorado gained statehood, is written. 
• The “STATE OF COLORADO” and “1876” are written on the red ring surrounding the seal.

Colorado History

The Native Americans inhabited the Colorado area 14,000 years back. The Lindenmeier Site dates back to 8710 BC. You can get a glimpse of the ancient history by visiting Mesa Verde National Park. 

The Europeans started colonizing in the 1600s. Juan de Oñate, a Spanish conquistador, lived in Colorado until 1626. Juan Bautista de Anza established the San Carlos settlement near present-day Pueblo (in Colorado) in 1787. Colorado became part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain’s Santa Fe de Nuevo México province. By purchasing the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, the USA gained territory to the Rocky Mountains’ eastern flank. 

After extensive scientific recording by Zebulon Pike (1806), Stephen Long (1820), and John C. Frémont (1842), gold was discovered in 1858 along the South Platte. With the gold rush reaching its peak, conflict with Native Americans increased. It led to bloody massacres such as the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864. The battle continued till the 1870s. This was when Native American tribes such as the Crow, the Cheyenne, the Pawnee, and the Arapaho tribes were relocated outside the state. On August 1, 1876, Colorado was admitted to the union as the 38th state of the United States.

Colorado Location

Colorado Location Map shows the exact location of the US state of Colorado on the US map. It also shows the boundaries of different states in the US, neighboring countries, and oceans all around. 

The state of Colorado is situated in the western United States’ Mountain West subregion. It shares its border with Wyoming (in the north), Nebraska (in the northeast), Kansas (in the east), Oklahoma (in the southeast), New Mexico (in the south), and Utah (in the west). It also touches Arizona at the Four Corners (in the southwest).

Its precise location is 37°N to 41°N Latitude and 102°02′48″W to 109°02′48″W Longitude. Check the Colorado Longitude and Latitude Map to learn more about the location.

Colorado Geography

Colorado is spread across a total area of 104,094 sq mi (269,837 sq km), out of which 103,718 sq mi (268,875 sq km) is land area and 376 sq mi (962 sq km) is water area. In terms of area, it is the 8th largest state in the United States. 

This state has a vivid landscape, including mountains, forests, high plains, plateaus, canyons, mesas, desert lands, and rivers. Colorado is part of the Mountain States in Western USA. 

The Colorado Eastern Plains/High Plains are located in Rocky Mountain’s eastern part of the state. This landscape has an elevation of 3,500-to-7,000 feet (1,100-to-2,100 meters). Fifty-four peaks in the Rocky Mountains stretch have over 14,000 ft (4,300 m) in height. Some are the Spanish Peaks, Pikes Peak, Mount Evans, and Longs Peak. 

Along the Rocky Mountains’ crest, the Continental Divide is present. The Western Slope is situated to the Continental Divide’s western part. You’ll find mountains, desert lands, desert canyons, and mesas in Western Colorado. High broad basins and many large parks are situated within the Rocky Mountains. Check this Colorado Topographic Map to learn more.

Learn more about the location of mountain peaks, rivers, lakes, the state capital, state boundary, ocean, and neighboring states from this Physical Map of Colorado.

Colorado Counties 

Colorado has 64 counties. In terms of area, Las Animas County is the largest county having a total area of 4,773.27 sq mi (12,363 sq km). The smallest country in Colorado is the County of Broomfield, whose total area is 33.57 sq mi (87 sq km). Check out the location and boundaries of different counties in the Colorado County Map.

Colorado Area Codes

The US State of Colorado has 3 area codes: 303/720, 719, and 970. Denver’s area code is 303, and its overlay is 720. Colorado Springs and Southeastern Colorado come in the 719 area code. The Colorado Area Codes Map helps you locate a particular area code and also shows the area code boundary, county and state boundaries, and state capital. 

Colorado Zip Codes

There are 513 active zip codes in Colorado. Some of the best zip codes to live in are 80027, 80111, 80304, 80301, 80124, 80112, 80206, 80122, 80218, 80303, and many more. The Colorado Zip Code Map helps you locate the location of a particular zip code and also shows the zip code boundary, state boundary, and state capital. 

Colorado Major Cities

Colorado cities map helps you learn about the state’s major cities and locations. It also showcases the state capital, state boundary, other cities, neighboring states and oceans, and many more. 

Colorado’s largest and major cities are Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Thornton, and many more. Check out the Colorado Cities Map for more details.

Colorado Airports

The busiest airports in Colorado are Denver International Airport, City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (Sardy Field), Grand Junction Regional Airport (Walker Field), Durango–La Plata County Airport, and many more. Check the location of different airports (both public-use and military) in the state on the Colorado Airports Map. This map also shows Colorado’s state and country boundaries, cities, the state capital, neighboring states, and oceans.

Colorado National Park and Trails

Colorado has 13 national parks. Around 6,034,973 visitors visit these national parks annually. Major national parks in the state are Colorado National Monument, California National Historic Trail, Dinosaur National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain, Sand Creek Massacre, and others.

In Colorado, you can enjoy around 17,099 trails (hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and other adventurous trails). They cover 39,000 miles of trails in Colorado. Some of the most popular ones are Emerald Lake Trail, Royal Arch Trail, Sky Pond through Glacier Gorge Trail, Saint May’s Glacier, Chavez and Beaver Brook Trail Loop, etc. 

Check out the locations of different national parks, monuments, preserves, and more details in the National Parks in Colorado Map.

Colorado Climate 

Colorado has multiple climatic conditions. It depends upon various elevations and proximity to:

• The Eastern Plains
• The Colorado Piedmont
• The Rocky Mountains 
• The Colorado Plateau

From July-August, the average summer temperature hovers around the mid-70s °F (about 24 °C). Generally, winter seasons are harsh in Colorado. It remains windy, cold, and dry. You may experience blizzards during winters. The yearly precipitation level usually hovers within 15 and 20 inches (380 and 510 mm). Around 3/4th of this precipitation takes place during summers. Hails frequently take place in Colorado.

Colorado Time Zones

The time zone of most of Colorado is UTC−07:00 (MST). Colorado’s Summer (DST) time zone is UTC−06:00 (MDT).

FAQs on Colorado

FAQ #1: What to do in Colorado Springs?

Ans: You can soar across the Royal Gorge, explore towering red rock formations, take a train ride on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, enjoy river rafting on the Arkansas River, and scale the heights to reach Pike’s Peak. 

FAQ #2: What to do in Colorado?

Ans: Visit Colorado’s Denver to discover Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado National Monument, Denver Botanical Garden, Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, and many more.

FAQ #3: How Many 14ers in Colorado?

Ans: There are 53 fourteeners in Colorado whose peaks are more than 14,000 feet in elevation. 

FAQ #4: What is Colorado known for?

Ans: Colorado is known for forests, mountains, mesas, high planes, desert land, rivers, and many more.

FAQ #5: What is the Population of Colorado?

Ans: In 2022, the total number of people living in Colorado will be 5.8 million. By 2050, the Colorado population is estimated to be 8.7 million.

FAQ #6: Are there moose in Colorado?

Ans: Yes, you can watch moose in the state of Colorado. Throughout the state, there are around 3,000 animals.

FAQ #7: Are there Wolves in Colorado?

Ans: Lone wolf, F1084, can be seen in Colorado. 

FAQ #8: What States Border Colorado?

Ans: Wyoming (in the north), Nebraska (in the northeast), Kansas (in the east), Oklahoma (in the southeast), New Mexico (in the south), and Utah (in the west) are the US states bordering Colorado.

FAQ #9: When does it Start Snowing in Colorado?

Ans: In Colorado, it starts snowing in late October and continues till late April. 

FAQ #10: Who is the Governor of Colorado?

Ans: Jared Polis of the Democratic Party is the Governor of Colorado. He is the incumbent governor. In 2019, the governor assumed office.