Colorado
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John Hickenlooper (D) |
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Colorado is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains. Colorado is the eighth most extensive and 21st most populous U.S. state. The 2020 United States Census enumerated the population of Colorado at 5,773,714, an increase of 14.80% since the 2010 United States Census.
The region has been inhabited by Native Americans for more than 13,000 years, with the Lindenmeier site containing artifacts dating from approximately 9200 to 1000 BC; the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains was a major migration route for early peoples who spread throughout the Americas. "Colorado" is the Spanish adjective meaning "ruddy", the color of red sandstone. The Territory of Colorado was organized on February 28, 1861, and on August 1, 1876, U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signed Proclamation 230 admitting Colorado to the Union as the 38th state. Colorado is nicknamed the "Centennial State" because it became a state one century after the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Colorado is bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas to the east, Oklahoma to the southeast, New Mexico to the south, and Utah to the west, also touching Arizona to the southwest at the Four Corners. Colorado is noted for its vivid landscape of mountains, forests, high plains, mesas, canyons, plateaus, rivers, and desert lands. As one of the Mountain States, Colorado is part of the western and southwestern United States.
Denver is the capital and most populous city of Colorado. The elevation of the Capitol building is 5,280 feet; hence, Denver is known as the 'Mile High City.' State residents are known as Coloradans, although the antiquated "Coloradoan" is occasionally used. Colorado is a comparatively wealthy state, ranking eighth in household income in 2016 and 11th in per capita income in 2010. It also ranks highly in the nation's standard of living index. Significant parts of the economy include government and defense, mining, agriculture, tourism, and increasingly, other kinds of manufacturing. With increasing temperatures and decreasing water availability, Colorado's agriculture, forestry, and tourism economies are expected to be heavily affected by climate change.
Sexual Orientation in Colorado
Colorado is recognized as one of the most LGBTQ+-inclusive states in the U.S., offering robust legal protections and affirming policies for individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Legal Protections
Anti-Discrimination Laws: The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), enacted in 2008, prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit.
Hate Crime Legislation: Colorado's hate crime laws include protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, with enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by bias.
Relationship Recognition and Family Rights
Same-Sex Marriage: Legal since 2014, Colorado further solidified marriage equality by repealing its 2006 constitutional ban through Amendment J in 2024.
Adoption Rights: Same-sex couples have full adoption rights, including joint and stepchild adoption, since 2014.
Transgender Rights
Legal Document Changes: Since 2019, individuals can change the gender marker on birth certificates and driver's licenses without undergoing surgery. Options include "M," "F," and "X."
Healthcare Access: Colorado mandates that health insurance plans cover gender-affirming care, including surgeries, positioning itself as a leader in transgender healthcare rights.
Recent Legislation: In 2025, the "Kelly Loving Act" was introduced to classify intentional misgendering or deadnaming as discriminatory acts, reinforcing the state's commitment to transgender rights.
Education and Youth Protections
Anti-Bullying Policies: State laws require schools to implement anti-bullying policies that protect students based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Conversion Therapy Ban: Since 2019, licensed professionals have been prohibited from practicing conversion therapy on minors. This law is currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court, with a decision anticipated in 2026.
History of the Colorado Flag
The Colorado State Flag features a design divided into three horizontal stripes; the top and bottom stripes are blue, while the center stripe is white. The flag's central and most prominent aspect is a large red "C" filled with a golden circle. The flag's red, white, and blue colors pay homage to the colors of the United States while also conveying additional meanings specific to the state of Colorado.
The blue color represents the clear blue skies, the white color signifies the snow-capped Rocky Mountains, the red color stands for Colorado's rich soil, and the yellow/gold color symbolizes gold mining and sunshine. Additionally, the combination of blue and white references the state flower, the "Columbine," and the central "C" stands for Colorado. The first Colorado State Flag was adopted on June 5, 1911, and was designed by Andrew Carlisle Carson. Today's Colorado State Flag was modified (the "C" in the center of the flag was made larger) on March 31, 1964.
Colorado is a Western state in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States and shares borders with New Mexico, Utah, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming. The capital city is Denver, known as the "Mile-High City" because it stands 5,280 feet (one mile) above sea level. Colorado is also called the "Centennial State" since it became an official state the same year the United States of America celebrated its 100th anniversary. The State of Colorado takes its name from the Colorado River, which translates as "colored red" and was bestowed that title by Spanish explorers due to the river's red and muddy hue.
The original inhabitants of the area where Colorado is located were Native American tribes, including the Ancient Pueblo people, Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne. The first European to reach the area was Francisco de Coronado in 1541, a Spanish explorer who sought gold but left when he could not find it. The area was then visited in 1682 by French explorer Robert de La Salle, who claimed the land for France, incorporating it into the French Louisiana territory.
Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Eastern Colorado became part of the United States. In 1806, American explorer Zebulon Pike mapped the region, which included high mountains named "Pikes Peak." In 1848, following the Mexican-American War, the United States also gained control of Western Colorado. In 1858, gold was discovered at Pikes Peak, prompting thousands to flock to the state in search of wealth, leading to population growth. In 1861, the territory was officially established by the United States government, and on November 7, 1876, Colorado formally became a state.
- Wikipedia article: Colorado
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