Colorado is nicknamed the Rocky Mountain State for its most prominent geographic feature-- Colorado's 270,000 sq km has the highest mean elevation among the states.

Denver is the capital and principle city. Most of the state's economy is devoted to manufacturing, ranching, mining, and tourism, particularly skiing and visits to Rocky Mountain National Park and the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park.

The Spanish laid claim to the area in 1706, but the land came under US control after the Louisiana Purchase (1803) and Mexican-American War (1848). Colorado achieved statehood in 1876.