The State of Colorado is a state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. Colorado may also be considered to be a part of the Western and Southwestern regions of the United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the state population was 4,861,515 in 2007, a 13.03% increase since the U.S. Census 2000. Denver is the capital as well as the most populous city of Colorado. Citizens of Colorado are known as Coloradans.

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	34,277		—
1870	39,864		16.3%
1880	194,327		387.5%
1890	413,249		112.7%
1900	539,700		30.6%
1910	799,024		48.0%
1920	939,629		17.6%
1930	1,035,791		10.2%
1940	1,123,296		8.4%
1950	1,325,089		18.0%
1960	1,753,947		32.4%
1970	2,207,259		25.8%
1980	2,889,964		30.9%
1990	3,294,394		14.0%
2000	4,301,261		30.6%
Est. 2007	4,861,515		13.0%

The state’s most populous city, and capital, is Denver. The Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area, home to 2,927,911 people, contains more than two-thirds of the state’s population. Residents of Colorado are properly referred to as Coloradans, although the term Coloradoans is still used.

As of 2005, Colorado has an estimated population of 4,665,177, which is an increase of 63,356, or 1.4%, from the prior year and an increase of 363,162, or 8.4%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 205,321 people (that is 353,091 births minus 147,770 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 159,957 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 112,217 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 47,740 people.

According to estimates made in 2004, Colorado’s population will increase to 7,150,000 by 2030. The largest increases are expected in the Front Range Urban Corridor, especially in the Denver metropolitan area.

The center of population of Colorado is located just north of the town of Critchell in Jefferson County

Colorado Population Density Map

Colorado has one of the highest proportions of Hispanic citizens of any U.S. state; only five states have a higher percentage. Denver and some other areas have significant Mexican populations, while southern Colorado has a large number of Hispanos, the descendants of early New Mexican settlers of colonial Spanish origin. The 2000 U.S. Census reports that 10.52% of people aged 5 and over in Colorado speak Spanish at home. Colorado, like New Mexico, is very rich in archaic Spanish idioms.

According to the 2000 Census, the largest ancestry groups in Colorado are German (22%), Irish (12.2%), and English (12%). Persons reporting German ancestry are the largest group in the state and are especially strong in the Front Range and eastern Plains. People of British extraction are the largest group in the western Rocky Mountains.

There were a total of 70,330 births in Colorado in 2006. (Birth Rate of 14.6). Although Non-Hispanic Whites constituted 73.5% of the population they accounted for only 48.90% of all the births. 14.06% of the births happened to parents of different races (About two-thirds to White-Latino parents).

Religion

The Chapel on the Rock at Camp Saint Malo near Allenspark.

The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya near Red Feather Lakes.

The Cadet Chapel at the United States Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs.

Colorado, specifically the city of Colorado Springs, serves as the headquarters of numerous Christian groups, most of them Protestant. Focus on the Family is a major conservative Christian organization headquartered in the state. Catholicism is popular among many Coloradans, and is becoming more so with the influx of Latino immigrants. Colorado is similar to other Western states in its high percentage of religiously unaffiliated residents.

According to the American Religious Identification Survey, conducted in 2001 by The Graduate Center at the City University of New York, Colorado’s population is distributed among the following religious groups:

• Christian Self-Identifications – 68%

  • Roman Catholic – 23%

  • Christian – 9%

  • Baptist – 8%

  • Methodist – 5%

  • Lutheran – 5%

  • Episcopalian – 3%

  • Presbyterian – 3%

  • Pentecostal – 2%

  • Churches of Christ – 2%

  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – 2%

  • Protestant – 2%

  • Jehovah’s Witness – 1%

  • Seventh-day Adventist – 1%

  • Evangelical – 1%

  • Non-denominational – 1%

• Non-Religious/Atheist/Agnostic – 21%

• Buddhist – 1%

• Jewish – 1%

• Other Religions – 3%

• Refused To Answer – 6%

Economy

The Denver financial district along 17th Street is known as the “Wall Street of the West”

Maize growing in Larimer County

Cattle ranching in Jackson County

An oil well in western Colorado

Colorado ranks 6th nationally in craft breweries per capita

Main article: Economy of Colorado

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that the total state product in 2006 was $230 billion. Per capita personal income in 2003 was $34,561, putting Colorado eighth in the nation. To see a 2004 per capita personal income comparison table on a state basis. The state’s economy broadened from its mid-19th century roots in mining when irrigated agriculture developed, and by the late 19th century, raising livestock had become important. Early industry was based on the extraction and processing of minerals and agricultural products. Current agricultural products are cattle, wheat, dairy products, corn, and hay.

The federal government is also a major economic force in the state with many important federal facilities including NORAD, United States Air Force Academy and Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs; NOAA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder; U.S. Geological Survey and other government agencies at the Denver Federal Center in Lakewood; the Denver Mint, Buckley Air Force Base, and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver; and a federal Supermax Prison and other federal prisons near Cañon City. In addition to these and other federal agencies, Colorado has abundant National Forest land and four National Parks that contribute to federal ownership of 24,615,788 acres (99,617 km²) of land in Colorado, or 37% of the total area of the state. In the second half of the 20th century, the industrial and service sectors have expanded greatly. The state’s economy is diversified and is notable for its concentration of scientific research and high-technology industries. Other industries include food processing, transportation equipment, machinery, chemical products, minerals such as gold and molybdenum, and tourism. Colorado also produces the largest amount of beer of any state. Denver is an important financial center.

Colorado has a flat 4.63% income tax, regardless of income level. Unlike most states, which calculate taxes based on federal adjusted gross income, Colorado taxes are based on taxable income – income after federal exemptions and federal itemized (or standard) deductions. Colorado’s state sales tax is 2.9% on retail sales. When state revenues exceed state constitutional limits, full-year Colorado residents can claim a sales tax refund on their individual state income tax return. Many counties and cities charge their own rates in addition to the base state rate. There are also certain county and special district taxes that may apply.

Real estate and personal business property are taxable in Colorado. The state’s senior property tax exemption was temporarily suspended by the Colorado Legislature in 2003. The tax break is scheduled to return for assessment year 2006, payable in 2007.

Special tax districts

Some of the special tax districts are:

• The Regional Transportation District (RTD), which affects the counties of Denver, Boulder, Jefferson, and portions of Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, and Douglas Counties

• The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a special regional tax district with physical boundaries contiguous with county boundaries of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties

  • It is a 0.1% retail sales and use tax (one penny on every $10).

  • According to the Colorado statute, the SCFD distributes the money to local organizations on an annual basis. These organizations must provide for the enlightenment and entertainment of the public through the production, presentation, exhibition, advancement or preservation of art, music, theater, dance, zoology, botany, natural history or cultural history.

  • As directed by statute, SCFD recipient organizations are currently divided into three “tiers” among which receipts are allocated by percentage.

    • Tier I includes regional organizations: the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Zoo, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It receives 65.5%.

    • Tier II currently includes 26 regional organizations. Tier II receives 21%.

    • Tier III has over 280 local organizations such as small theaters, orchestras, art centers, and natural history, cultural history, and community groups. Tier III organizations apply for funding to the county cultural councils via a grant process. This tier receives 13.5%.

  • An eleven-member board of directors oversees the distributions in accordance with the Colorado Revised Statutes. Seven board members are appointed by county commissioners (in Denver, the Denver City Council) and four members are appointed by the Governor of Colorado.

• The Football Stadium District (FD or FTBL), approved by the voters to pay for and help build the Denver Broncos’ stadium INVESCO Field at Mile High

• Local Improvement Districts (LID) within designated areas of southeast Jefferson and Boulder counties

• Regional Transportation Districts (RTA) taxes at varying rates in Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Gunnison County

• Occupational Privilege Taxes (OPT or Head Tax) Denver and Aurora both levy an OPT on Employers and Employees

  • If any employee performs work in the city limits and is paid over US$500.00 for that work in a single month, the Employee and Employer are both liable for the OPT regardless of where the main business office is located or headquartered.

  • In Denver, the Employer is liable for US$4.00 per employee per month and the Employee is liable for US$5.75 per month.

  • In Aurora, both Employer and Employees are liable for US$2.00 per month.

  • It is the Employer’s responsibility to with hold, remit, and file the OPT returns. If an Employer does not comply, they can be held liable for both portions of the OPT as well as penalties and interest.

Transportation

Colorado state welcome sign

Federal Highway Routes in the State of Colorado

Denver International Airport

Commercial Airports in the State of Colorado

Union Station in Denver

Amtrak Passenger Railroad Routes through the State of Colorado

Communities in the State of Colorado with Regional Bus Service

Counties

Map of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado.

Main article: Colorado counties

Colorado is divided into 64 counties, including two counties with consolidated city and county governments.

Cities and Towns

Main article: Colorado municipalities

Colorado has 271 incorporated municipalities and 83 active United States Census Designated Places.

The skyline of downtown Denver with Speer Boulevard in the foreground

Metropolitan Areas

Map of the 14 Core Based Statistical Areas in the State of Colorado.

Main article: Colorado metropolitan areas

The United States Census Bureau has defined seven Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), seven Micropolitan Statistical Areas (μSAs), and one Combined Statistical Area (CSA) in the State of Colorado.

Protected areas

Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park.

National Parks in Colorado:

• Arapaho National Recreation Area

• Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

• Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

• Colorado National Monument

• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

• Curecanti National Recreation Area

• Dinosaur National Monument

• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

• Hovenweep National Monument

• Mesa Verde National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Old Spanish National Historic Trail

• Pony Express National Historic Trail

• Rocky Mountain National Park

• Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

• Santa Fe National Historic Trail

• Yucca House National Monument

Education

The University of Colorado at Boulder.

The United States Air Force Academy.

Colleges and universities in Colorado:

Source: Colorado in Wikipedia