In 1861, the U.S. Congress officially created the Colorado Territory just a few weeks before the firing on Fort Sumter that signaled the beginning of America's Civil War. Colorado (for the most part) was a Union territory, and over 4,000 men volunteered to support the Union cause, fighting the confederates and the Indians.
It took fifteen more years for Colorado to achieve statehood in 1876, and it proudly became the 38th State. It was subsequently called the "Centennial State" to honor the one-hundredth year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Much of America was devastated by the Civil War, and like other states, the economy in Colorado finally sprang to life some during World War I, but only after the high employment rates and manufacturing demands of World War II did real economic growth take place in the state.
Colorado today is famed for its brisk, mountain air, magnificent scenery, and active lifestyle. This western state is home to incomparable ski resorts and winter sport venues set in the Rockies in cities like Aspen, Colorado Springs, and Vail. The city of Boulder is a center for aviation and military complexes with the U.S. Air Force Academy, NORAD, and several Airforce bases in the area.
The southwestern Colorado town of Durango sits amid some of the most breathtaking natural beauty in North America, with the red sandstone monuments and cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde to the west, twisting canyons to the south, San Juan Mountains to the north, and national forests rounding out the picture.
The 'Mile High City' of Denver is full of cultural attractions and professional sports teams, museums and art galleries, and high-octane theme parks. Pike's Peak near Colorado Springs is the most visited mountain in the continental United States and inspired the song "America the Beautiful." Throughout this vast state are small, clean mountain towns, and even several ghost towns! Colorado visitors will experience a broad slice of America's most beautiful landscape - in plain view - for all to see and admire.
Colorado today is famed for its refreshing air and scenic lifestyles; the incomparable ski resorts and winter sport venues in the Rockies; Denver's many cultural attractions and professional sports teams; small, clean mountain towns, and a broad slice of America's most beautiful landscape - in plain view - for all to see.
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Colorado Cities, Counties & Area Codes
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