What You Need To Know About Colorado, the Mountain State

Colorado is in the Western United States and is bordered by Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. Its capital and most highly populated city is Denver. Colorado is a popular travel destination because it is so beautiful. Visitors flock to the state for outdoor pursuits including skiing, hiking, rock climbing, and camping. Some visitors return year after year, and others develop such an attachment to the Rockies that they decide to move here.

A Diverse Landscape

The deserts, canyons, and mountains form Colorado’s dramatic vistas. Most famous are the “14ners”: the 58 mountain peaks in Colorado that are 14,000 feet or higher above sea level. Mt. Elbert is the highest of these, and the highest mountain in the continental United States (there are higher mountains in Alaska). Many adventurers attempt to climb these peaks, but it is important to be adequately prepared. It often takes at least one grueling day to summit a 14ner, and many climbers camp at the base to get an early start. Climbers must take into consideration the importance of bringing enough food and water. They also must factor in the effect of altitude sickness, given the great altitude adjustment. Altitude sickness can cause symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. Climbers do well to acclimate to the altitude of the region before attempting a 14ner. But not all of Colorado is alpine. There are also arid deserts, mesas, and grasslands in Colorado. There are also canyons such as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Picture Canyon, Carrizo Canyon, and Vogel and Picketwire Canyons. The state of Colorado was named after Colorado River, which originates in the Rocky Mountains. Some of these beautiful places are protected as national parks.

The Great Outdoors

Because Colorado draws in outdoor enthusiasts and athletes, Coloradans are generally healthier than the average American. Not everyone comes to Colorado for camping, hiking, and mountaineering, however-- Colorado is well known as a popular ski destination. Vacationers like to luxuriate after spending a day on the slopes by taking a swim in a pool or jacuzzi. Some Coloradans have considered how much does an inground pool cost and have decided to have one installed at their own residence. There is nothing better than a hot soak or swim after a strenuous day out in the snow. Aspen and Vail are some of the most famous ski destinations. One popular ski destination is the little town of Crested Butte, near Gunnison. The town is named after the peak that towers over it. There, long-time residents earn money through tourism and agricultural industries. New arrivals flock to upscale establishments and art galleries.

The Western State

Culturally, Colorado is considered to be more socially liberal than other states, and also has a strong Western identity. Coloradans, as they are known, supported same-sex marriage and cannabis legalization before most states. This has been demonstrated through progressive views on assisted suicide and abortion. Colorado was the first state to elect an openly gay governor, Jared Polis. Colorado boasts the University of Colorado in Boulder, among other universities. The population in Colorado is, on average, richer and better educated than other places in the country. The median household income was about $65,000 a year, higher than the national average of about $57,000.

Economy

In Colorado, there has been a lot of marijuana tourism, due to the early legislation and the progressive culture of the state. Though mining was once important for Colorado's economy and agriculture continues to be important, the state has diversified into the technology and scientific research sectors. Agricultural products are cattle, wheat, marijuana, dairy products, corn, and hay continue to be major exports. There are also a large number of federal employees in Colorado, due to the military, technology and geological agencies in the area. The Colorado Tourism Office reported that about 80 million people visited Colorado in 2016, contributing nearly $20 billion to the economy. Overall, it seems that Coloradans experience a high quality of life, and vacationers keep coming back to the mountain state.

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stash member Devin Caldwell