Colorado has the highest mean elevation of all the states, with more than 1,000 Rocky Mountain peaks over 10,000 ft high, 54 towering above 14,000 ft. Pikes Peak, the most famous of the mountains, was discovered by the U.S. Army lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike in 1806.

Once primarily an agricultural and mining state, Colorado's economy is now driven by the service industries, including medical providers as well as other business and professional services. Colorado's economy also has a strong manufacturing base. The primary manufactures are food products, publishing and printing, machinery, and electrical instruments. The state is also a communications and transportation hub for the Rocky Mountain region.

The farm industry, which is primarily concentrated with livestock, is also a very important element of the state's economy. The primary crops in Colorado are hay, corn, and wheat.

Area: 104,247 sq mi (270,000 sq km)
Pop. (2000) 4,301,261, a 30.6% increase since the 1990 census
Capital and largest city: Denver
Statehood: Aug. 1, 1876 (38th state)
Highest pt.: Mt. Elbert, 14,433 ft (4,402 m); lowest pt., Arkansas River, 3,350 ft (1,022 m)
Nickname: Centennial State, Motto, Nil Sine Numine [Nothing without Providence]
State bird: Lark Bunting
State flower: Rocky Mountain columbine
State tree: Colorado blue spruce
Abbr., Colo., CO