Colorado+-+William

Howdy, welcome to Colorado
 * __Colorado__**

Colorado is the **Centennial State**

__Geography__

__Climate__
 * The three main geographical regions are the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Plains (Mountains, Plateaus, Canyons, and Plains).
 * The rivers and water west of the Continental Divide flow toward the Pacific Ocean. Rivers and water east of the divide flow toward the Atlantic Ocean.

__Fun Facts__
 * It has a cool and sunny climate, but weather can change depending on elevation and how close it is to the mountains.
 * Colorado is a dry state.
 * It holds the record for most snowfall in 24 hours at 76 inches (6ft. 4in.).


 * Pro sports teams: Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Denver Broncos (NFL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Denver Nuggets (NBA).
 * Famous people: Amy Adams, Tim Allen, "Molly" (Margaret) Brown, John Denver, John Elway, and more
 * Recipes: Denver Omelet and Beef Stroganoff

__Natural Resouces__


 * Oil, Coal, sand and gravel, and uranium

__Industries__


 * Software development, machinery production, food processing, health care, printing and publishing,and ski resorts

__Crops__


 * Corn, wheat, and hay

__Government__

Democrats: #3 Republicans: #4
 * Capital: Denver
 * State Governer: Bill Ritter (Democrat)
 * Population: 5,024,748
 * U.S. Senators: Mark Udall (Democrat) and Michael Bennet (Democrat)
 * U.S. Representatives: #7
 * State Senators: #35
 * State representatives: #65
 * Counties: #63

__History__

__Native Americans__
 * Who lived here first: The French claimed Eastern Colorado in 1682
 * When did explorers come and who: Explorer Juan de Ulibarri claimed Colorado for Spain in 1706
 * Settlers: Colorado became the 38th state on August 1, 1876
 * When it became a state: In 1803 the United States obtained Eastern Colorado as part of the Louisiana Purchase
 * Historical events: Sand Creek Massacre, Bent's Fort, Gold Rush, The Louisiana Purchase, The Anasazi, and the Colorado Doctrine
 * Today: The Colorado Avalanche won their second Stanley Cup in 2001. The Rockies won the National League Baseball Championship in 2007. The Air Force Academy is in Colorado. Skiing and snowboarding are very popular in Colorado

By the 1300's there were prominent Native tribes in Colorado. Known as the Ute, they acted in many ways like a large family, coming together in the winter months to take care of each other. Life became more difficult after the 1600's for many reasons leading to the government forcing the remaining tribes onto reservations in New Mexico and Utah. The Ute population is about 1,300 people and faces many of the same problems as major urban areas like crime, drugs, dropouts, etc.

__State Symbols__

__Culture and other facts__
 * State bird: Lark Bunting
 * State tree: Colorado Blue Spruce
 * State flower: Rocky Mountain Columbine
 * State animal: Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep


 * Hockey, football, basketball, baseball, soccer, skiing, snowboarding, and hiking are sports in Colorado
 * Colorado is the 8th largest state
 * Colorado is the highest state with an average altitude of 6,800 ft.
 * There are close to 500 ghost towns in Colorado, but most of them are abandoned mining towns
 * More than 1,000 of Colorado's peaks are over 10,000 ft. high
 * Colorado was the second state to pass a law allowing women to vote
 * The United States Air Force Academy is located in Colorado springs
 * The 13th step on the state capitol building in Denver is exactly one mile above sea level
 * 84.7 of Colorado's population is white