Looking pretty great for 140 years old, Colorado!
The Centennial State first joined the union on Aug. 1, 1876 thanks to Proclamation 230, which was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant. The state is named for the Colorado River, which got its name for the ruddy silt Spanish travelers saw in the water.
Colorado became a territory on Feb. 28. 1861, and has been inhabited by Native Americans for 13,000 years.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 5,456,574 people lived in Colorado as of July 1, 2015 an 8.5 percent increase since the 2010 census.
At 104,094 square miles, Colorado is the eighth largest state in terms of land but ranks 22ndin terms of population.
There are multiple events happening on Monday to celebrate Colorado's birthday, including free admission to state parks.
Celebrate Colorado's birthday in nature with free entrance to Colorado's state parks on Monday, August 1. Park entrance fees are waived, but activities like fishing and camping will still require a valid license and permit.
In addition to offering free admission, History Colorado is also having multiple performers and exhibitors show off what exactly makes Colorado great:
The History Colorado Center and Community Museums statewide are celebrating Colorado's 140th birthday with a Free Day, Monday August 1, 2016!
In addition the History Colorado Center will feature food, music, dancing, and many more activities for everyone. Do not miss this celebration!
Scheduled Activities
Performers
- 11:30am: Top Hogs, Colorado's Most Talented Pigs, and the Denver Broncos Junior Cheerleaders Performance
- 12:30pm: Cherry Creek Dance Performance
- 1:30pm: Rocky Mountain Children's Choir
Demonstrators
- Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
- Gold Panning with the Georgetown Loop Railroad National Park Service
- Bent's Fort
- Adobe Brick Making Activity
Exhibitors
- Alpacas
- Colorado Proud Booth, Colorado Department of Agriculture
- Colorado History Day Poster Session Ribbon Winners
- 1-5pm: Mountain Dairy Goats
Activities
- Colorado State Flag coloring activity
Free Admission Statewide
The celebration will include History Colorado's Community Museums for a statewide commemoration of Colorado's wild, colorful, historical, traditional and modern culture.
Free Admission all day at:
- Byers-Evans House Museum
- El Pueblo History Museum
- Fort Garland Museum and Cultural Center
- Fort Vasquez Museum
- Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin
- Trinidad History Museum
Thanks to our friends at 9news.com for the information regarding Colorado Day!
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