14 Quirky Facts About Colorado That Sound Made Up, But Are 100% Accurate
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Annie
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If you are a Colorado native, you may remember taking a middle school state history class and learning the main parts of the Centennial State’s past. While Native Americans, mining, and the railroad make up an ample amount of our state history, some parts are quirky and seem nearly unbelievable, like these 14 fun facts about Colorado:
1. Colorado invented the cheeseburger...
What better way to begin this list than this tasty tidbit? While other people in different states may try to claim they invented the cheeseburger, it simply isn't true, as this iconic food was first served in 1935 at the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver.
2. ..And the concept of fast-casual restaurants
What do Chipotle, Q'doba, Noodles, and Tokyo Joe's all have in common? They all hail from Colorado, making us the capital of delicious and ingenious ideas!
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3. More than 1/3 of our land belongs to the government...
Whether or not you like or trust the government, it is essential to note that they own a good chunk of the land, as much of our open spaces are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or the National Park Service.
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4. ...and the state is home to a whopping 75% of land above 10,000 feet
We have A LOT of 10,000+ foot high peaks!
5. If you think 10,000 feet is tall, wait until you get a load of our 14ers!
14ers = 14,000-foot tall peaks. We have 58 of them.
6. Denver has one of the country's largest park systems
This one should be no surprise, as Denver is known near and far for its many beautiful parks and open spaces! As it turns out, these vast fields and playgrounds outnumber most other cities, with Denver boasting a whopping 14,000 acres of parkland.
7. Colorado is the only state ever to turn down the Olympics
You've heard the rumors, and we are here to report that they are true: Denver did, indeed, turn down the chance to host the 1976 Winter Olympics after residents voted it down. Why? Denverites cited an increase in pollution, population, and overall cost to taxpayers.
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8. Every year, Coloradans pay homage to a frozen dead guy
No, really, we do, and it's an entirely normal thing. Right? (You can learn MUCH more about the frozen dead guy by clicking The Frozen Dead Guy Days In Colorado Is Considered To Be One Of The Best Cultural Festivals In America.)
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9. It's against the law to pick one of our state flowers
FYI: It's the columbine, and you must have permission from the landowner to pick one! (Picking columbines on public land is strictly prohibited.)
10. Move over, Florida, as Colorado is the REAL sunshine state
We may not have beaches or Disney princesses, but darn it, we have an average of 300 days of sunshine each year, making Colorado one of the sunniest states!
11. Thanks to our mining past, Colorado is home to 1,500 ghost towns
These towns - many of which served as mining camps - vastly outnumber the 271 still alive and well municipalities.
12. While many associate Colorado with the mountains, a good chunk* of it is made up of the plains
*A good chunk = 40% of the land.
13. Weld County gets more tornadoes than any other county in America
In addition to the northeast Colorado county having the most tornadoes, the Centennial State is also one of the top 10 states for tornadoes.
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14. Colorado boasts the longest street in America
Colfax Ave, the butt of everyone's jokes and the "longest, wickedest street in America," is an incredible 50 miles long!
Are you proud to live in Colorado? You should be! Wear your state pride on your sleeve with this unique collection of apparel from Wear Your Roots. For even more fun facts about Colorado, check out these 12 things you didn’t know about Colorado’s history:
Love exploring Colorado? Check out this stunning footage of Mesa Verde National Park:
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