Colorado
From Encyclopediak
Colorado, Kol" o rah'do, THE CENTENNIAL STATE, one of the Mountain States, is bounded on the n. by Wyoming and Nebraska, on the e. by Nebraska and Kansas, on the s. by Oklahoma and New Mexico and on the w. by Utah.
SIZE. The extreme length from east to west is 387 m.. the breadth is 276 m. and the area is 103,948 sq. m., of which 290 sq. m. are water. Colorado is twice the size of North Carolina or Ohio, about three times the size of Indiana and the seventh state in area.
POPULATION. In 1920 the population was 939,629. From 1910 to 1920 there was a gain in population of 140,605, or 17.6 per cent. There are 9.1 inhabitants to the square mile and the state's rank in population is 33.
SURFACE. The surface of Colorado has three natural divisions, each occupying about one-third of the area,the eastern plains, the Rocky Mountain system in the center and the western plateaus. The eastern part belongs to the Great Plains region and consists of rolling steppes and plains, nearly devoid of timber, except along the rivers, which are lined with cottonwoods and willows. Starting with an elevation from 3000 to 4000 ft. at the Kansas line, the country gradually rises toward the west until, at an elevation of about 6000 ft., it meets the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, which rise in sharp ridges called "hogbacks."
The middle third of the state is occupied by the Rocky Mountain system and contains a greater mountain mass than any other state in the Union. Several main ranges, separated by intervening valleys, traverse the state from north to south and attain here their greatest altitude. The most eastern chain of mountains is the Front Range (sometimes called Medicine Bow at the north), which extends from the Wyoming line to Pike's Peak. The famous Cripple Creek mining district is near its southern extremity. West of the Front Range is the Park Range, which enters the state at the Wyoming line and runs south to the Arkansas Hills, about 20 m. west of Cripple Creek; and, farther south, is continued by the Sangre de Cristo and Culebra ranges to the New Mexico line. About 16 m. west of the Park Range and parallel with it, is the Sawatch Range, extending from the Mount of the Holy Cross southward to Marshall Pass. Farther to the southwest, the San Juan Range runs in a southeasterly direction to the New Mexico line. Still west of these main ranges are shorter ranges and broken mountain masses, including the Elkhead, Elk and West Elk groups; and, in the southwestern part of the state, the San Miguel Mountains, an outlying group of the San Juan.
The intervening valleys of the mountain ranges are often traversed by cross ranges, thereby enclosing areas of comparatively level land called parks. There are four of these main parks in the state and many smaller ones. The largest of the four is San Luis Park, in the southern part of the state. It lies between the Sangre de Cristo and Culebra ranges on the east and the Cochetopa Hills and San Juan Range on the west, has an altitude of about 7000 ft. and an area nearly equal to that of Massachusetts. North of San Luis Park is South Park, between the Park and Sawatch ranges, with an altitude of from 8000 to 10,000 ft. and an area about equal to that of Rhode Island. North of South Park is Middle Park, between the Front and Park ranges, having a slightly greater altitude and somewhat larger area. North Park, which is next to San Luis Park in size, lies between Medicine Bow and Park ranges. The western third of the state is, in its general character, a high plateau sloping gradually toward the Utah line and popularly known as the "Western Slope." It is generally broken by hills and bluffs and extensive valleys. The latter follow the westward flowing rivers and their innumerable tributaries which cut the country up transversely. The result is an exceedingly complex surface composed of plateaus, mesas, river valleys, bluffs and hills, with occasional higher mountain groups. Large sections are almost bare of vegetation or are covered only with sagebrush.
RIVERS. The main ranges of the Rocky Mountains form the continental divide, which takes a zigzag course through the middle of the state, now following one range and now another. This divide separates the streams flowing into the Atlantic from those flowing into the Pacific. West of the divide the rivers belong to the Colorado River system and find their outlet in the Gulf of California. The most important streams belonging to the Colorado system are the Grand and the Gunnison, draining the central portion of the western part of the state; the White and the Yampa, draining the northern part; and the Dolores and the San Juan, draining the southwestern part. The Rio Grande rises in the south-central part of the state and flows directly southward. That part of the state belonging to the Mississippi system is divided between the Arkansas, which drains the southern portion, and the Platte, which drains the northern part of the eastern half of the state. Both of these streams rise west of the Front Range.
SCENERY. Colorado is said to contain more lofty mountain peaks than any other state in the Union. There are within its borders nearly 100 peaks having an altitude of 13,000 ft., 37 of these being over 14,000 ft. high. Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert are the highest peaks in the state, each having an elevation of 14,402 ft., according to the latest measurements. Pike's Peak, 14,109 ft., is the most noted and most accessible mountain in Colorado. A good burro trail leads to its summit, which is also reached by a cog-wheel railroad, and also a wonderful automobile trail, and it is visited by thousands of tourists every season. Long's Peak (14,255 ft.), Evans Peak (14,260 ft.), Mt. Blanca, Castle Peak and the Mount of the Holy Cross are also celebrated mountains of the state. The Mount of the Holy Cross receives its name from a peculiar formation of valleys on its sides containing masses of snow which form a cross. The Garden of the Gods and Monument Park are widely known for their beauty.
In the mountain sections are also found many canyons and deep gorges of awe-inspiring grandeur. Famous among these are the Canyon of the Grand, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the Royal Gorge, the latter being the channel through which the Arkansas River cuts its way to the eastern plains (See ROYAL GORGE). In many of the canyons of the southwestern part of the state are remains of the dwellings of the ancient cliff dwellers, a mysterious race about which little is known. The United States Government is restoring some of the most interesting of these dwellings. The entire mountain region is noted for the wildness and grandeur of its scenery, and many of the most attractive spots are easily accessible by rail. Good automobile roads are also being constructed throughout the state at great expense. Almost every typical kind of scenery may be found in Colorado.
CLIMATE. The climate is dry, stimulating and remarkably healthful. The great parks are beneficial to those afflicted with tuberculosis and other lung diseases. During the summer the days may be hot, but the nights are cool and the summers are as a whole very pleasant. Notwithstanding the altitude the winters are not severe and zero weather is not often experienced except in altitudes above 7000 ft. Among the mountains the snowfall is heavy. Elsewhere it is light and the snow soon melts. The mean temperature for January is 28.5° and for July from 72° to 74°. The average rainfall is about 15 inches and is heaviest in the mountain sections.
MINERALS AND MINING. Colorado contains a great variety of minerals and the mineral resources of the state are practically inexhaustible. It is the sixth state in the value of its mineral products, and mining, next to agriculture, constitutes the chief industry. (The value of agricultural products exceeds that of mines, but the commerce produced by the former exceeds that by agricultural products.) The annual output of gold is about $25,000,000 making Colorado the leading state in the production of this metal. Cripple Creek, Leadville and the San Juan country are the chief metal-mining areas, and the mines in these localities are among the best in the world. The smelters are located at Denver, Colorado Citv. Pueblo, Salida, Golden, etc.
Extensive fields of coal, ranging from lignite to the best varieties of bituminous and anthracite are distributed through out the state, but the largest deposits are in the northwestern part. The most extensive mines, however, are located in the Trinidad field. The output is about 12,000,000 tons a year, making Colorado the leading coal-producing state west of the Mississippi River. Petroleum occurs in Fremont and Boulder counties and asphalt is found in the northern part of Middle Park and in Garfield, Rio Blanco and Routt counties. The supply of granite and other building stone is unlimited, and precious stones of various sorts have been found in paying quantities, the most valuable being near Canon City in the vicinity of the Royal Gorge.
FORESTS AND LUMBER. Valuable forests containing pine and other soft woods occur throughout the mountain sections, and lumbering is an industry of considerable importance.
AGRICULTURE. The state is largely dependent upon irrigation and the area of irrigated lands is rapidly extending. The completion of the Uncompahgre Project has opened a large territory not before available (See IRRIGATION). Agriculture is rapidly increasing in extent and value of its products, and is now the leading industry of the state. The soil is invariably fertile and produces abundant crops wherever sufficient water can be procured. In many sections dry-farming is successful (See DRY-FARMING). Alfalfa, wheat, oats, barley, corn, potatoes and sugar beets are the most valuable field crops. In the Arkansas Valley cantaloupes of excellent quality are raised in large quantities, and garden vegetables for local markets bring a large income to farmers living near cities or mines. In the mountain valleys apples, peaches, pears and other fruits of the temperate regions are raised in great abundance and of superior quality, and fruit growing is a profitable industry. Many localities have native grass, which is excellent for stock, and large numbers of high-grade cattle and horses are raised. Dairying is a valuable industry and is rapidly growing.
MANUFACTURES. The most extensive manufacturing industries are associated with smelting ore and refining metals.Iron and steel manufactures are also important. Repairing and making machinery and tools, repairing railroad cars and locomotives, making flour and gristmill products and the manufacture of beet sugar are other thriving industries. Colorado is one of the leading manufacturing states west of the Mississippi, and the annual output of her manufactured products amounts to over $103,000,000.
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMERCE. Notwithstanding its mountains Colorado has over 5000 m. of railway. A number of trunk lines extend through the mountains, reaching also the cultivated valleys and mining districts. In some places narrow-gauge lines extend through parts of the mountain region where the grades and traffic would not warrant the construction of standard lines. The most important systems are the Union Pacific, the Missouri Pacific, the Santa Fe, the Denver & Rio Grande, the Colorado & Southern, the Rock Island, the Colorado Midland, the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific and the Burlington. Denver is the chief railroad center and from it lines radiate in all directions. In Denver and other cities there are excellent lines of street railway.
Colorado has a large commerce. Gold, silver, lead and other metals are sent to Eastern markets in large quantities. Live stock, fruit and other agricultural produce are also exported. Manufactured goods and foodstuffs are imported. Denver is the chief commercial center.
GOVERNMENT. The constitution was adopted in 1876. Several important amendments have been added. One of these, adopted in 1893, confers the right of suffrage upon women and also gives them the full right to hold office. Another provides for amendments by petition. The executive department consists of the governor, lieutenant-governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney-general and superintendent of public instruction. Each of these officers is elected for two years. The Legislature consists of a Senate and House of Representatives, the total membership of which cannot exceed 100. Senators are elected for four years and representatives for two.
The judicial department comprises a Supreme Court, District Courts and County Courts, justice courts and such other courts as may be established by law. Counties and municipalities administer local government. The state has recently adopted the initiative and referendum, the recall of judges and of judicial decisions, and the people are alive to the governmental questions of the day.
EDUCATION. Colorado maintains an excellent system of public schools which are under the general direction of a state superintendent of public instruction. The schools of each county are under the supervision of a county superintendent. "The State Normal School of Colorado" is located at Gurmison, and "The State Teachers College of Colorado" at Greeley. The state university is at Boulder, the agricultural college at Fort Collins and the school of mines and industrial school at Golden. There are a number of denominational schools of high grade throughout the state.
STATE INSTITUTIONS. The hospital for the insane is at Pueblo, the soldiers' and sailors' home is at Monte Vista and the school for the deaf and blind is at Colorado Springs. The state prison is at Canon City and there is a state reformatory at Buena Vista.
CITIES. The chief cities are Denver, the capital; Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Trinidad, Boulder, Greeley, Fort Collins, Leadville, Cripple Creek and Grand Junction.
HISTORY. Colorado was named after the river of that name, the Spanish adjective red. The country was visited, but not settled, by Spanish adventurers of the 16th century. Colorado territory was gained by the United States through the Louisiana Purchase, 1803, and through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. Pike explored it in 1806; Long, in 1820; Fremont, in 1842 and 1843; and Gunnison in 1853. The discovery of gold in 1858 led to the settlement at Denver and at Boulder. In 1861, from parts of Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Utah, Colorado Territory was organized. It entered the Union as the Centennial State in 1876. Women were given the franchise in 1893. A $3,500,000 capital building was finished in 1894. Since 1900 the state has developed rapidly along all lines of industry.
ITEMS OF INTEREST. The state flower is the Columbine. The state tree is the blue spruce. In 1916 Colorado produced one-third of the beet sugar made in the United States. The first year of prohibition in Colorado showed a marked increase in the prosperity of the state.
The prisoners in the penitentiary are paid for their work, one half going to the man's wife or children while the remainder becomes his at his discharge.
