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Colorado is a state in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the state population was 4,753,377 in 2006, a 10.49% increase since 2000. Colorado is also considered to be a part of the Mountain, Southwestern, and Central regions of the United States. Denver is the capital and the most populous city of Colorado. Residents of Colorado are known as Coloradans.
History
The word "Colorado" was selected by Congress in 1861 as the name for the Colorado Territory that is today a state. The name has its origins in the Spanish language, where it is directly translated as "colored red". It is named after the Colorado River (Río Colorado), itself named after its reddish-brown color. The territory that ultimately became Colorado was added to the United States by the 1803 Louisiana Purchase and the 1848 Mexican Cession. In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, including what is now much of Colorado. The Pike's Peak Gold Rush of 1859 (see also Fifty-Niner) brought many settlers to the Denver area. A convention was held to organize the provisional Jefferson Territory, but an official break from the Kansas Territory did not happen until 1861. The Colorado Territory was organized as a United States territory on 28 February 1861, with President Buchanan signing an Act of Congress to that effect. Colorado attained statehood on 1 August 1876, earning it the moniker the "Centennial State". Colorado women were granted the right to vote starting on 7 November 1893. Three different ships have been named USS Colorado in honor of this state. Colorado is the only state to refuse the opportunity to host the Olympics. Timeline
Population History
Note: Although part of Colorado was acquired as early as the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, it had no organized government until 1850, when parts of the present State were included in New Mexico and Utah Territories. Colorado was established as a territory in 1861 with its present boundaries, from parts of Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah Territories. The 1860 population is the total enumerated within the 1861 boundaries. Colorado was admitted as a State on August 1, 1876. Present-day Colorado had no census coverage in 1850, and none in 1860 for the portion taken from Utah Territory.. Population shown for 1860 is that enumerated in the area organized in 1861 as Colorado Territory from parts of Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah Territories. This total was not reported by county.. Total for 1890 includes population (1,051) of the Ute (Southern Ute) Indian Reservation, not reported by county. Research TipsSee the Colorado Research Guide
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