Colorado
has become known as a skier's paradise, perhaps destined after words from
President Theodore Roosevelt,
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Garden of the Gods
Pikes Peak |
"Passing through your wonderful mountains
and canyons I realize that this state is going to be more and more the
playground for the whole republic... You will see this the real Switzerland
of America."
Colorado
is the highest state and has more mountains reaching 14,000 feet than any
other state. "Grand Mesa", the world's largest flat-top plateau is also found
in Colorado. Her mountain scenery is some of the most beautiful and dramatic
in the United States and Colorado is a center for vacationers taking
advantage of the pleasant summer climate and the ample supplies of powdered
snow in the winter.
The
Rocky Mountain State leader in manufacturing, Colorado is also a
major agricultural and mining state. Its gold and silver mining boom days
are well known. Mrs. J. Brown, socialite wife of a Colorado mining tycoon was
immortalized in the Broadway Musical, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" so called
after she survived the sinking of the ocean liner "Titanic". Her home in
Denver has been maintained as a museum.
| THE NAME:
Soon after gold was discovered near Denver, the region around Pikes Peak became the
Colorado Territory. Other names, such as Colona, Jefferson, Osage and even Idaho,
were suggested and discarded in favor of Colorado, Spanish for "red" in reference
to the color of the water of the Colorado River.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S.
State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994 |
| THE NICKNAMES:
The Centennial State: Colorado is nicknamed the Centennial State because it entered the union in
1876, 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Silver State: This nickname is a reference to the quantities of
silver that have been mined in Colorado. Leadville became one of the world's greatest mining camps
in 1878.
The Lead State: This nickname came about because of the large quantities of lead that were mined
in Colorado.
The Buffalo Plains State: This old nickname referred to the large herds of bison that once roamed
the Colorado plains.
Switzerland of America: Colorado, along with other mountainous states, has been referred to as
the Switzerland of America for its elevation, its majestic mountains and natural beauty.
The Highest State: This nickname is similar in spirit to the one above and is in reference to
Colorado as the state with the highest average elevation and its towering mountains.
Source: Shearer, Benjamin F. and Barbara S. State
Names, Seals, Flags and Symbols Greenwood Press, Westport, Connecticut - 1994
Shankle, George Earlie, Phd State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and
Other Symbols H. H. Wilson Company, New York - 1938 (Reprint) |
THE CITIZENS:
People who live in or come from Colorado are referred to as Coloradans. In days gone by, Coloradans were given
nicknames that aligned with certain characteristics of the people of the times. One might have heard Coloradans
called Silverines, a reference to the great silver mines and wealth in the state, or Rovers, characterizing the settlers
that arrived in the state during the gold rushes when "Pikes Peak or Bust" became a common slogan. Coloradans
have also been referred to as Centennials after the state's most common nickname. |
THE QUARTER:
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| U.S. Mint Image
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The third commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2006 honors Colorado, and is the 38th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. The Colorado quarter depicts a sweeping view of the state's rugged Rocky Mountains with evergreen trees and a banner carrying the inscription "Colorful Colorado." The coin also bears the inscriptions "Colorado" and "1876."
Colorado's Rocky Mountains are home to some of the Nation's most majestic natural wonders. Among these, rising approximately 10,000 feet from the valley floor in Northwest Colorado, Grand Mesa is the largest flat-top mountain in the world, and is home to more than 200 lakes and many miles of scenic hiking trails.
Colorado was admitted into the Union on August 1, 1876, becoming our Nation's 38th state. With statehood gained less than one month after the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Colorado is nicknamed the "Centennial State."
The Colorado Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission was formed by an Executive Order issued by Governor Bill Owens. Colorado First Lady Frances Owens served as Commission Chair, and design narratives were accepted from citizens. From more than 1,500 submissions accepted by the Commission, five concepts were forwarded to the United States Mint.
The sculptor-engravers of the United States Mint and artists in the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program developed the candidate designs from the narratives provided, and the designs were returned to Colorado in May 2005. On May 31, 2005, Governor Owens announced "Colorful Colorado" as his recommendation for the Colorado commemorative quarter-dollar. The Department of the Treasury approved the design on July 20, 2005.
The four other design concepts considered during the final selection process were "Mesa Verde," featuring Mesa Verde National Park with cliff dwellings; "10th Mountain Division Birthplace," depicting a soldier/skier of the famed United States Army Division that originated in Colorado; "The Centennial State," which features a stylized letter "C" entwined with a mountain columbine flower; and the Rocky Mountains and "Pikes Peak," featuring the gold rush slogan "Pikes Peak or Bust" and a prospector's pick and shovel.
For more on the state commemorative quarters, visit this page.
This 50 State Quarter Map is a great way to collect and display all 50 State Quarters. |
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