01
Location
Neighboring states: Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Wyoming.
Local timeDenver ·
U.S. States / West · Card 006
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state in the West. Its capital is Denver.
Find Colorado
● State capital · Gold highlights Colorado.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
Map: Natural Earth. Neighboring states use postal abbreviations.
At a glance
- Capital
- Denver
- Postal abbreviation
- CO
- Population
- 6,012,561July 1, 2025 · Census estimate
- Total area
- 269,601 km²104,094 square miles · land and water
- Statehood
- August 1, 1876State number 38
- Currency
- U.S. dollar (USD)
Sources: Census · population · Census · area
Colorado in context
Gold shows Colorado. The dot marks Denver.
Alaska and Hawaii are shown in separate insets at different scales.Geography & flag
02
Landscape & places
Rocky Mountain National Park includes high mountain summits, alpine tundra, forests and lakes.
03
Land and water
The total area includes 268,431 km² of land and 1,170 km² of water, according to Census area measurements.
State flag
Blue, white and blue horizontal bands, with a red C surrounding a gold disc.
Sources: Census · geographic reference · Census · area measurements · National Park Service · Rocky Mountain
History & statehood
The land that became Colorado came under U.S. control through several acquisitions, including the Louisiana Purchase and the Mexican cession. Colorado Territory was organized in 1861 from parts of four territories. Statehood followed in 1876.
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Colorado Territory organized
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Statehood · State number 38
Sources: Congressional Research Service · statehood · U.S. Census Bureau · historical geography · National Park Service
Economy
Main activities
In 2025, professional and business services was the largest of the broad industry groups compared here by current-dollar output. Other major groups included real estate and rental and leasing, government and government enterprises, and educational services, health care, and social assistance.
Total economic output was $584.3 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Largest industry groups · 2025
- Professional and business services: 16.1%
- Real estate and rental and leasing: 15.9%
- Government and government enterprises: 11.3%
- Educational services, health care, and social assistance: 7.2%
Share of total current-dollar GDP. These figures measure output, not employment.
Sources: BEA · annual GDP by state, SAGDP2
Population & economic trends
Population, 2020–2025
Millions of people6.012025 · millions of people
July 1 resident population estimates, using the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 series.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
View data table
| Year | People |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 5,786,873 |
| 2021 | 5,814,368 |
| 2022 | 5,853,355 |
| 2023 | 5,912,240 |
| 2024 | 5,988,502 |
| 2025 | 6,012,561 |
Real GDP, 2010–2025
Billions of chained 2017 dollars458.152025 · billions of chained 2017 dollars
Real GDP measures economic output adjusted for inflation. The chart uses BEA’s chained 2017 dollars.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
View data table
| Year | Millions of chained 2017 dollars |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 279,385.6 |
| 2011 | 283,963.8 |
| 2012 | 289,339.5 |
| 2013 | 301,484.1 |
| 2014 | 315,399.0 |
| 2015 | 330,526.1 |
| 2016 | 337,685.2 |
| 2017 | 350,209.1 |
| 2018 | 365,204.5 |
| 2019 | 383,725.6 |
| 2020 | 380,544.0 |
| 2021 | 406,309.2 |
| 2022 | 422,576.1 |
| 2023 | 440,225.2 |
| 2024 | 448,838.5 |
| 2025 | 458,147.1 |
Government
Colorado has three branches of state government. The governor leads the executive branch. A Senate and House of Representatives form the legislature, which passes state laws and budgets. State courts interpret and apply the law.
Sources: USAGov · Colorado
Knowledge check
Three questions about Colorado.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
What is the capital of Colorado?
Sources & notes
Prepared 27 September 2026. Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025, July 1 estimates for 2020–2025. Real GDP: BEA annual state accounts, SAGDP9, millions of chained 2017 dollars; industry shares: SAGDP2, current dollars. Data downloaded 27 September 2026. Area measurements include land and water.
Sources: Census · population estimates · BEA · state GDP · Census · area measurements · Natural Earth · map data
The capital clock shows current local time. Statistical figures are dated estimates and may be revised.