Colorado
By: Michael
Hi. I'm doing a state report on Colorado. It was really fun. I picked Colorado because I thought it would be fun to try something new and chose a state I knew almost nothing about. Did you know that the Declaration of Independence was signed 100 years before Colorado became a state? In 1997 tourists spent eight billion dollars on skiing and other activities. I like my report, and I hope you do too!
History
Before Colorado was a state Thousands of years ago Native Americans lived in Colorado. Skeletons and a few other objects are the only evidence that they existed. Around 700 AD. Anasazi Indians arrived and made towns in the mountains. Later, they made houses in the cliffs. First, in about 700 AD. the Anasazi started making pueblos around the area now called the Four Corners. Then, in the 1300s, the Anasazi abandoned the Four Corners. Next, in 1600, France claimed eastern Colorado. In 1706, Juan De Vilburn claimed Colorado for Spain. After that happened, U.S.A. obtained Colorado. Then from 1820-1830, hunters came to Colorado to hunt for beavers. Finally in 1848, Mexico Rio Grande made a treaty with the U.S.A. The Gold Rush Colorado had a BIG gold rush in 1858. About 100,000 gold hunters came to Colorado in search of gold. During the gold rush, the land that is now Colorado was split between the states of Utah, New Mexico, Kansas, and Nebraska. The new settlers wanted the land to become its own U.S. territory in 1861. The Great Depression In 1929-1938 there was a Great Depression. The farm prices were getting lower and lower, there was a long stretch of dry weather, and the soil was too dry to grow crops. Lots of people left Colorado during the Great Depression. The government donated money to the land that was damaged by dust storms because of long stretches of dry weather. The government made roads to make it easier for other people in Colorado to find jobs. After World War II, the economy got a lot better because the Army needed minerals and metals and the Coloradoans could help them with that. The army built a base in Leadville so they could train troops with mountain skills and snow skills. |
Geography
Mountains Most people think of Colorado as all snow caped Rocky Mountains but it’s not, it has plains too. There are over one thousand peaks in Colorado peaks that reach over 10,000 feet and there are more than fifty peaks that are over 14,000 feet. Colorado has three main geographical regions: the Rocky Mountains, the Plains, and the Colorado Plateau. The tallest sand dunes in Colorado can reach to be 700 tall! Rivers and Streams Colorado’s state name came from the Colorado River. In Colorado, melted snow trickles down mountains and makes little creaks that can be the head waters of the Colorado River. The Colorado River travels through the states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and California. The Colorado River separates two deserts, the Mohave Desert in California and the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. The Colorado River travels through 110 miles of Mexico before reaching the sea. Land and Crops From 1860-1861 the Pony Express was the way to send mail. In 1969 Siegel found herbs to make tea. Colorado is the eighth largest state. Colorado’s area is 104,100 square miles. Colorado is the highest state in the USA and it is 6,800 feet tall in altitude. Early explorers called the Colorado River (Spanish word: colored red) because of its muddy waters. Corn and wheat are Colorado’s leading crops. Cattle and sheep are raised in large numbers in Colorado. Colorado means colored red. |
Economy and Recourses
Mining There is a big dinosaur print left in a coal mine in Colorado that is 60,000,000(60 million) year old. In 1878, silver was discovered in Leadville. Mining gives about 7.7 billion dollars to Colorado’s economy each year. Colorado is a big mining state. Coal, gases, molybdenum, uranium, gold, and lead are all mined in Colorado. Miners are paid highest industrial workers in the state. They make a paid in average of $60,000 each year. Molybdenum is used in steel and light bulbs. One of the largest molybdenum mines, Henderson Hill and Mill is in to Colorado. Coal oil gravel and sand are resources mined in Colorado. Coal and oil mostly generate mostly electricity. Skiing Colorado is famous for its skiing. People from all over the world come to ski, snowboard shop and relax. Some skiing resorts are Vail, Aspen Break Enbridge, Copper Mountain, Snowmass, Crested Butte, and Keystone. Almost 12 million people skied in Colorado from 1996-1997. In 1997, tourists spent over $8 billion in the state. Lots of people in Colorado like to come there to ski, camp, and hike. Colorado’s first skiers were probably they made handmade skis to get around in the deep powdery snow. Early settlers used skis do deliver mail. Skiing is a multi-billion dollar industry for Colorado. Colorado has over two dozen ski resorts. Downhill, cross country, and snow-boarding are also popular as well as skiing in Colorado. Resorts open for businesses and out-door activities in the summer. Manufacturing Colorado manufactures lots and lots of technology. Technology is manufactured in the large cities in the Rockies’ eastern edge. Industries and manufacturing are important to the economy. Colorado manufactures technology. In 1906, the mint in Denver made its first coin. |
Climate
Colorado is a cool and bright state. The weather depends on the mountains. It is cooler in the mountains then in the plains. The average temp in July is 74°F. The average temp in January is 28°F. Colorado is considered a dry state. There is about fifteen inches of precipitation each year. In Silver Lake, April 14, 1921, 76 inches of snow fell in 24 hours. That is a North American record. |
State Symbols
Colorado has a lot of cool state symbols. § State bird, lark bunting § State tree, Colorado blue spruce § State flower, rocky mountain columbine § State animal, bighorn sheep (ram) § State fish, greenback cutthroat trout § State gemstone, aquamarine § State grass, blue grana grass § State fossil, stegosaurus § State insect, hairstreak butterfly § State songs, “Where the Columbines grow” and “Rocky Mountain High” |
Goverment
Denver has been Colorado’s capital since 1867. Denver is exactly 1.0 miles above sea level. In remembrance of Colorado’s gold rush Colorado’s capitol dome was made out of 177 ounces of 24-karat gold. Colorado’s capital is built to look like the capital in Washington D.C. Colorado has elected 40 governors since become a state. They have elected 20 democrats and 19 republicans. Wondering who the last one is? Davis H. Waite governed from 1893-1895 and was the first and only Populist Party governor to be elected. In 1898, Colorado elected their first republican governor in 24 years. Colorado’s state abbreviation is CO. Colorado’s current governor is John Hickam Lopper. Colorado has 2 U.S senator and 7 U.S Represenitves. In 1858 Denver was founded. Denver is a leading financial center. |
People and Culture
Lots of people move to Colorado because of its economy and beauty. Tim Allen is a comedian. Margret Brown made a fortune mining silver then sailed the Titanic and helped a life boat survive.Douglas Fairbanks were in the movies robin hood and The Three Musketeers. Colorado’s full population is 5,116,796. Most Coloradians live in cities such as Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, or Pueblo. Colorado is a very fast growing state. Lots of people move to Colorado because of its economy and beauty. The air force base in Colorado is located just outside Colorado Springs.
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Biblioghaphy
Bibliogrhy
Christian, Sandrghaphya J. Colorado. Mankato, mn: Capstone press, 2003. Print.
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Picture sitesgold - http://spectrum.ieee.org/img/0831_gold_630x420-1358881868486.jpg
skis - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/ff/Skis.jpg Colorado Blue Spruce - http://www.arborday.org/trees/graphics/trees/detail/Colorado-Blue-Spruce_1.jpg Broncos mascot - http://nflwallpapers10.net/denver-broncos/wallpaper-outstanding-denver-broncos-wallpaper-wallpaper-5 |
Glossary
Anasazi: a type of Indian
Juan De Vilburn: a European explorer
Colorado means colored red. (Spanish word:Colorado)
Lark Bunting: a type of bird
Molybdenum: a kind of minral
the Great Depression: a time when the economy was very bad
Leadville: a town in Colorado
precipitation: water that fell from the skyobtained: took or brought something insettlers: people who lived in the state
Juan De Vilburn: a European explorer
Colorado means colored red. (Spanish word:Colorado)
Lark Bunting: a type of bird
Molybdenum: a kind of minral
the Great Depression: a time when the economy was very bad
Leadville: a town in Colorado
precipitation: water that fell from the skyobtained: took or brought something insettlers: people who lived in the state