Are you a Colorado native who thinks they know everything there is to know about the Centennial State? Well, did you know that Coloradoans invented two of the greatest foods known to man? Or that we were the first to enact women’s suffrage by popular referendum? It’s true! There are even more Colorado firsts that you may be unaware of, so read on to learn about Colorado’s pioneering ways.

1. The teddy bear was invented in Colorado.
longzijun / Flickr
The teddy bear is said to have been invented by maids at the Hotel Colorado as a gift for visiting President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt.
2. Colorado was the first state to reject hosting the Olympic Games.
Shawn Carpenter / Flickr
Denver withdrew its offer to host the 1976 Winter Olympics after Colorado voters rejected a $5 million bond issue to fund the games. The citizens of Colorado voted to make it a violation of Colorado's constitution for state funds to be allocated toward the event.
3. Colorado invented the root beer float.
Joy / Flickr
Among the things invented in Colorado, the root beer float is arguably one of the tastiest. The root beer float was invented by a Colorado man who thought the snow on top of Cow Mountain looked like ice cream floating in pop.
4. Colorado was the first state to hold a rodeo.
micadew / Flickr
The World's First Rodeo was held on July 4th, 1869, in Deer Trail, Colorado. While other states such as New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas claim to have hosted the first rodeo, Deer Trail, Colorado is recognized by the Pro-Rodeo Hall of Fame, the Colorado State Legislature, the History Channel, and the Guinness Book of World Records for being the first rodeo in the world on official records.
5. The cheeseburger was officially trademarked in Colorado.
LenDog64 / Flickr
The trademark for the name "cheeseburger" was given to Louis Ballast in 1935. Among things Colorado was first to do, we can all thank Louis Ballast of Humpty-Dumpty Barrel Restaurant in Denver, Colorado for trademarking this delicious and iconic American menu item.

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6. Colorado was the first state to legalize recreational marijuana.
Torben Hansen / Flickr
Colorado voted to allow medical marijuana sales in the year 2000, and then, along with Washington, became one of the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012.
7. Residents of Colorado were the first to be able to drop their phones without worries.
Fredrik / Flickr
The shatterproof Otterbox was invented in Fort Collins in 1998 by Curt Richardson and David Bridge.
8. Colorado was the first state to give women the vote by popular referendum.
jamelah e. / Flickr
Colorado was the first state to enact equal suffrage by referendum on November 7, 1893.
9. Colorado invented and was the first state to indulge in the greatest food known to man.
Michael Saechang / Flickr
Among the things Colorado did first, this may officially be the tastiest. The first Chipotle opened in Denver on July 13, 1993, and has become a beloved nationwide food staple, vastly growing in popularity ever since.
10. Colorado was the first state to xeriscape.
Bill Vriesema / Flickr
Denver Water invented "xeriscaping" during a drought in 1981 as a means of conserving water while still creating aesthetically appealing landscapes.

Did any of these Colorado firsts surprise you? Are there any inventions we missed that you think are noteworthy? Tell us about it in the comments!

For more Colorado history, check out these 9 things that come from Colorado’s capital city of Denver.

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More to Explore

Colorado Firsts

Jessica Moore | June 04, 2023

What are some things that Colorado invented?

Some of the things that Colorado invented include the following:

 

And while we're at it, here's a list of seven inventions that came from Denver, Colorado's capital city.

What is Colorado best known for?

Colorado is best known for many things, such as its iconic Rocky Mountains and its bustling Mile High City. Here are some other things the Centennial State is well known for:

  • Leadville is the highest city in the U.S. (10,430 feet in elevation)
  • "Rodeo Capital of the World" - First rodeo was held in Deerfield, Colorado
  • Over 500 ghost towns
  • The first Stegosaurus fossils were found outside of Grand Junction, Colorado
  • Home of the world's largest alligator farm
  • Among the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana
  • Glenwood Hot Springs is the world's largest hot springs pool
  • Imperial Express SuperChair at Breckenridge Ski Resort is the highest chairlift in North America
  • Highest paved road in the U.S. (Mount Evans)

 

Read on to discover 10 surprising facts about Colorado you may not know.

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