13 Fun Facts About Colorado That Make it a Perfect Destination for Tourists

Heading to a place that features mesmerizing views, adventure places, and rivers is a dream for many. Colorado, in the US, is a place that attracts tourists from around the world and is also a perfect destination for everyone. When anyone thinks of Colorado, he/she thinks of mountains and nothing else. A lot of people don’t know that the place also features deserts, plains, and sunshine. 

The Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado has the largest dunes in North America. The place is famous for Cliff Palace, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Rocky Mountain National Park, but do you know it is the only state to turn down the Olympics? 

Let us read more amazing fun facts about Colorado and the reason why it is famous. 

1. When you are in Colorado, you might be in 4 states at the same time

In the Southwest corner of Colorado, the state borders Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. It is the only place in America where the corners of 4 states meet. If you are in Colorado, then head towards Four Corners of Monument to stand in Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico at the same time. 

2. It is Home to Largest Natural Hot Springs Swimming Pool

Glenwood Spring House in Colorado has the largest mineral pool in the world. Hot things on cold days are the little things that matter in life. With several hot springs swimming pool options available in Colorado, it is hard to select one. Glenwood Springs, a resort in Colorado, is known for its hot springs. The spring produces over 3.5 million gallons of water per day. 

It is a resort city in Colorado and sits in the rugged Rocky Mountains surrounded by the White River National Forest. Other hot springs swimming pools that you can visit in Colorado are Mount Princeton, Joyful Journey Hot Springs, Valley View Hot Springs, and more. 

3. It has the World’s Largest Flat-top Mountain

The Grand Mesa, the largest flat-top mountain, can be visited in Colorado. It has an area of 500 square miles and stretches for about 40 miles east of Grand junction between Colorado River and Gunnison River. 

The mesa rises about 6000 ft above river valleys, including the Grand Valley to the West. This beautiful place is home to wildlife, geologic features, and beautiful views. The majority of Mesa is located within the Grand Mesa National Forest, which is inhabited by different species of animals. 

4. No US President is Born in Colorado

This could be an amazing fun fact about Colorado. Read about former and existing Presidents of the US, and you would know that none of the presidents were born in Colorado. 

5. The Country’s Highest Suspension Bridge is in Colorado

Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado is one of the tallest suspension bridges in America. If you haven’t added this suspension bridge to your bucket list, then you are missing one of the most incredible places on earth. The bridge reaches a height of 1053 ft, and it was built in six months. It maintained the title of the world’s highest suspension bridge until the Beipan River Guanxing Highway Bridge was completed in 2003. 

The main span of the bridge between the towers is 268m, and the total length of the bridge is 1260 feet. The steel base structure of the bridge is covered with over 1000 wooden planks. Head to the highest suspension bridge in Colorado, and you could also enjoy white water rafting through the famous gorge. 

6. Colorado Was Named After the Colorado River

The state was named after the Colorado River, which Spanish explorers named the Rio Colorado. In Spanish, Colorado means red. Continental, Colorado, shares its name with the state, The Centennial State. The Centennial State is home to a 17- mile house farm park with a 19th-century farmhouse. Visitors can enjoy milk sheds, red barns, and two functional windmills. 

Also, the Spanish were the first European visitors to arrive in Colorado in the 1500s. In 1541 the famed Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado crossed the southeast corner of Colorado. The state is also called colorful Colorado because of its magnificent rivers and plains. 

7. It is the Only State in History to Turn Down Olympics

In a statewide referendum in 1972, Colorado voters rejected funding for games and became the only state to reject the games. Colorado declined the offer to host the 1976 Olympics. 

They claimed it would create pollution, which outweighed the potential boon to the economy. The state is home to the US Olympic Committee and the Olympic Training Center. Ironically, it rejected the offer to host the Olympics. Did you know this fun fact about Colorado before? 

8. Pikes Peak Cog Railway is one of the highest cog railways in the world

The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway is a rack system cog railway with 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in standard gauge track in Colorado. The railway is the highest in North America and was operated for the tourist trade following its use by people who lived above the town below. The railway was started by Simmons in 1889 and had limited service to Halfway House Hotel. 

9. Colorado Has Been Populated for Over 13000 Years

Colorado has been populated for a longer time than you could expect. In Colorado, there’s an archaeological site called the Lindenmeier site up in the north of the state on the border, which is full of artifacts dated as back as 11,200 BC. People who inhabited the area were nomads who followed herds of bison and were identified as people of the Folsom tradition because of the arrow tips they used. 

10. The First US Explorer to Travel Colorado Was Arrested by Spanish

Zebulon Pike was ordered to mount an expedition to find the source of Red Rivers, which lead him into modern-day Colorado. In 1806, Pike and his men discovered and attempted to scale what is known as Pike’s Peak. 

They headed towards the south and set up a base to spend the entire winter. Later, they might have been arrested and detained in Santa Fe and were released at the border several months later. 

11. The Cheeseburger Was Invented in Colorado

Another fun fact about Colorado is associated with Cheeseburger. Louis Ballast invented Cheeseburger in the restaurant called Humpty Dumpty Drive-in in 1935. Unfortunately, the trend kicked off, and the diners across the United States started selling their variations of Cheeseburger around the country. 

12. Colorado Has Several Ghost Towns With a Terrifying History

Besides being known for breathtaking views and rivers, the place is also known for having ghost towns. It has a long history with gold rushes, and the remnants of the era can still be seen today. The wild west has seen financial busts and boomtowns. While the majority of ghost towns have been fallen, others have something left at a site. Teller City in Colorado has nearly 1500 residents at a time. 

Today, it has zero residents. Teller is a fun and spooky destination for a day trip. Other ghost towns that can be visited in Colorado are Saint Elmo, Vicksburg, and Ashcroft. If you are not scared of ghosts and spooky stories, then here are some haunted places on earth that are turned into tourist destinations. 

13. The Colorado State Capitol Building is Made of Unique Material

Located at 200 East Colfax Avenue, Colorado, the Colorado State Capitol is home to the Colorado General Assembly and the offices of the Lieutenant Governor of Colorado and Governor of Colorado. The building is reminiscent of the United States Capitol. 

The Capitol Building was constructed in the 1890s from Colorado white granite and was opened to the public in 1894. The windows here depicted events related to the history of Colorado. The halls are adorned with portraits of every president of the United States. 

Final Words

Indeed! Several beautiful places exist on earth. A place like Colorado is the favorite tourist destination and also a perfect place for everyone regardless of age. It offers breathtaking views, adventure spots, and other mesmerizing places that you would never capture anywhere else on the earth. 

If you are planning to visit Colorado, then don’t forget to visit Linger Dever, a restaurant that was a famous mortuary space. 

Have you ever been to Colorado? How was your experience? Which places in Colorado do you like the most? Do you know other fun facts about Colorado? If yes, then share them below.