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Population (2025 est.)6,012,561
Discover • Explore • Connect
From the Plains to the Rockies
ColoradoColorado stretches from the eastern plains to the Rocky Mountains and western mesas. Explore city neighborhoods, mountain towns, public lands and trails, with landscapes that change across the state. Browse photographs, state facts and official resources to plan a visit or find useful information close to home.
Colorado at a Glance
Population (2025 est.)6,012,561.webp){kind=icon}
CapitalDenver.webp){kind=icon}
Largest CityDenver.webp){kind=icon}
Counties64 counties.webp){kind=icon}
Land Area103,637 sq mi.webp){kind=icon}
Water Area458 sq mi.webp){kind=icon}
Statehood1876.webp){kind=icon}
Highest PointMount Elbert — 14,433 ft
Explore Colorado
County Guides in Colorado
Choose a county to explore local information, resources and the businesses listed for that area.
Counties of Colorado
Get to know the cities, towns and landscapes of Colorado. Browse the photographs and official resources on this page for places to explore and practical information.
Featured Counties
Kiowa CountyThe history of this part of Colorado includes the Sand Creek Massacre of November 29, 1864, when United States volunteer soldiers attacked a peaceful…
Larimer CountyWater infrastructure provides a useful window into Larimer County's twentieth-century development. The Colorado-Big Thompson Project began in 1938, and the Alva B. Adams Tunnel…
Prowers CountyProwers County's museums and historic places preserve histories that reach well beyond one town. Big Timbers Museum in Lamar opened in 1966 and presents…
Discover More of Colorado
Kiowa CountyThe history of this part of Colorado includes the Sand Creek Massacre of November 29, 1864, when United States volunteer soldiers attacked a peaceful…
Larimer CountyWater infrastructure provides a useful window into Larimer County's twentieth-century development. The Colorado-Big Thompson Project began in 1938, and the Alva B. Adams Tunnel…Prowers CountyProwers County's museums and historic places preserve histories that reach well beyond one town. Big Timbers Museum in Lamar opened in 1966 and presents…
Welcome To
America
Across America, local communities are where people build businesses, raise families, preserve traditions, serve neighbors, and create new opportunities. Colorado reflects that larger story through growing cities, ranching regions, mountain communities, agricultural valleys, tribal lands, and neighborhoods shaped by generations of residents. Strong communities depend on participation, local knowledge, shared responsibility, and people willing to invest in the places they call home.
One Nation. Endless Possibilities.
Freedom to Explore
Colorado offers room to travel, build, create, work, and discover across cities, plains, river valleys, forests, and mountain country.
Community at Every Elevation
From Denver's urban neighborhoods to rural counties and mountain towns, local identity helps Colorado's communities stay distinct while growing and changing.
Opportunity Across Colorado
Colorado supports opportunity through technology, aerospace, tourism, energy, agriculture, health care, education, manufacturing, outdoor industries, and local enterprise.
Building Colorado's Next Chapter
Colorado's future depends on resilient communities, thoughtful growth, strong public services, housing, infrastructure, water stewardship, and opportunity across urban and rural regions.
The
Colorado Headlines
Latest reporting from Colorado Newsline. Coverage may include state and national stories.
Colorado Newsline
Colorado election 2026: Live updates
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Read the full storyToday's CoveragePresented by
Around Colorado Headlines
Stories from every corner of Colorado Headlines.
Colorado election 2026: Live updates
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Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min read
US Supreme Court justices doubtful of Colorado rule in Catholic preschool case
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Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min read
As Election Day arrives, Democrats poised to see gains and pump brakes on Trump agenda
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Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Commentary: The government must not be required to fund discrimination
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Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min read
It’s Election Day. It’s not too late to register and vote in Colorado.
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Nov 3, 2026 • 2 min readState Symbols & Heritage
Nickname State Motto State Bird State Flower State Tree State Animal
The Spirit and Symbols of Colorado
The symbols of Colorado reflect its landscape, history, and enduring character.
The Centennial State
Colorado earned the nickname because it entered the Union in 1876, one hundred years after the Declaration of Independence.
Nil Sine Numine
Colorado's Latin motto is commonly translated as “Nothing Without the Deity.”
Lark bunting
Colorado's state bird is a black-and-white songbird associated with open grasslands and prairie habitat across the state.
Columbine
Colorado's state flower is the columbine, widely associated with the state's mountain meadows and alpine landscapes.
Blue spruce
The blue spruce is Colorado's state tree and is common in cool mountain environments, where its blue-green needles make it especially distinctive.
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep — official state animal
The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep is closely associated with Colorado's rugged mountain terrain and is one of the state's most recognizable wildlife symbols.
A State Unlike Any Other
Colorado stands out for dramatic elevation, Rocky Mountain scenery, major urban centers, high plains, alpine lakes, ski country, national parks, and historic mining and ranching communities. Outdoor recreation is central to the state's identity, while Denver and the Front Range support major industries, universities, cultural institutions, and growing communities. Western Colorado adds vineyards, orchards, mesas, canyons, and desert-influenced landscapes to the state's variety.
My Local Guide
COLORADO
The Centennial StateExplore Colorado through photographs, state facts and useful public resources.
Our State. Our Stories.★
STATE RESOURCES
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Colorado Resources
Explore Colorado through photographs, state facts and useful public resources.
Colorado Government
Use the official Colorado.gov portal to find state agencies, services, licenses, public information, benefits, and online government resources. It is the main statewide starting point for residents, businesses, and visitors seeking official Colorado information.
Schools and Education
The Colorado Department of Education provides official information about public schools, districts, standards, accountability, programs, and family resources. Use its school and district tools when researching education in a specific Colorado community.
Hospitals and Health Services
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides statewide public-health information, licensing resources, health guidance, and program information. For hospital or facility-specific services, confirm current information directly with the provider and relevant state resources.
Public Safety
The Colorado State Patrol provides statewide traffic enforcement, highway safety, emergency response, and related public-safety services. Local police departments and county sheriff’s offices handle many community-level law-enforcement matters.
Emergency Services
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management supports statewide preparedness, emergency coordination, disaster response, and recovery. Residents should also follow local emergency-management agencies for evacuation notices and community-specific alerts.
State Parks
Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides official information for state parks, camping, trails, boating, fishing, wildlife, reservations, passes, and outdoor recreation. Check each destination’s official page for current conditions, closures, fees, and reservation requirements before traveling.
Trails
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, federal land agencies, counties, cities, and local open-space programs maintain trails throughout the state. Start with official park and land-management resources, then verify weather, snow, wildfire restrictions, seasonal closures, trail access, permits, and elevation-related safety before heading out.
Utilities
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission regulates many electric, natural gas, telecommunications, transportation, and other utility services. Municipal utilities and local providers may operate under different authority, so verify service directly for the exact address and community.
Libraries
The Colorado State Library supports public libraries, statewide library programs, digital resources, professional services, and access to information. Local library websites provide current branch hours, library-card requirements, programs, and community services.
Courts
The Colorado Judicial Branch provides court locations, forms, case-related resources, self-help information, rules, and links to courts across the state. Verify the correct court and jurisdiction before filing documents or relying on deadlines.
Driver and Vehicle Services
The Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles handles driver licenses, identification cards, vehicle titles, registration, records, appointments, and many online transactions. Check official requirements before visiting an office or completing a vehicle or licensing transaction.
Transportation
The Colorado Department of Transportation manages the state highway system and provides road, construction, safety, traffic, transit, aviation, and travel information. Use official CDOT resources and COtrip for current road conditions and closures.
Postal Services
Use the official U.S. Postal Service for ZIP Code lookup, post-office locations, mailing standards, address tools, and package services. Verify the complete address and current ZIP Code before mailing, shipping, or publishing location information.
Veterans
The Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs connects veterans, service members, and families with benefits information, claims assistance, state veterans resources, and support services. Federal benefits remain available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Employment
Connecting Colorado is the state’s online workforce system for job seekers and employers, offering job listings, career resources, resumes, and connections to workforce services. Local workforce centers provide additional employment and training assistance.
We're Here To Help.
Browse official links for public services, parks and visitor information.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions about living, visiting, working, and doing business locally.
Colorado is known for the Rocky Mountains, high elevation, skiing and snowboarding, hiking, scenic drives, mountain towns, Denver and the Front Range, national parks, craft-beverage culture, and year-round outdoor recreation. The state also includes high plains, agricultural valleys, canyon country, historic mining communities, and Western Slope landscapes that add considerable geographic and cultural variety.
Denver is Colorado’s capital and largest city. Other major communities include Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Pueblo, Boulder, Greeley, and Grand Junction. Mountain communities such as Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, and Estes Park offer very different experiences from the Front Range and eastern plains.
Popular Colorado experiences include hiking and scenic drives in the Rocky Mountains, visiting national and state parks, skiing or snowboarding, exploring mountain towns, rafting and fishing, attending museums and cultural attractions in Denver, viewing wildlife, and traveling through Western Slope canyons and wine country. Conditions change rapidly with elevation and season, so check official road, park, wildfire, avalanche, and weather information before traveling.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a strong starting point for state parks, campgrounds, trails, lakes, and outdoor recreation. The National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, counties, and local open-space agencies manage many additional destinations. Before hiking or camping, verify trail conditions, snow, wildfire restrictions, weather, permits, and seasonal closures.
Use the official USPS ZIP Code Lookup tool with the complete Colorado street address, city, or post-office information. ZIP Codes are designed for mail delivery and do not always match city or county boundaries. For shipping, business listings, or location data, verify the exact street address and current ZIP Code rather than relying on a nearby community’s ZIP.
Start with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for official health information and state resources, then confirm services directly with the hospital, medical center, or health system. Specialized care is concentrated in larger population centers, while rural and mountain communities may rely on smaller hospitals, clinics, regional providers, or travel for certain services.
The Colorado Department of Education provides official information about public schools, districts, accountability, and education programs. Families should verify the exact district and school serving a specific address because district boundaries do not always match city, county, or ZIP Code boundaries. Confirm current enrollment and attendance-zone information directly with the district.
Use Colorado.gov as the main online gateway to state agencies, services, licenses, benefits, and official contacts. For local matters, contact the appropriate county, city, town, special district, or tribal government. Responsibilities for roads, permits, utilities, courts, public safety, and other services vary by location, so identifying the correct level of government can save time.
Local business listings are being added. County links will appear when businesses are listed. In the meantime, browse the official Colorado resources on this page.
Explore Colorado State Parks, National Park Service sites, museums, scenic byways, historic districts, ski areas, mountain towns, and local visitor organizations for more ideas. Colorado attractions vary greatly by elevation and season, so confirm operating dates, reservations, road conditions, wildfire restrictions, permits, snow conditions, and weather with the official destination before making a trip.
Your Journey Continues
Celebrating the places we call home.
Keep exploring the communities, stories, and local connections that make this state feel like home.
Celebrating the places we call home.