Colorado Information and Facts

Official Website: http://www.colorado.gov/

Income

The population of Colorado in 2002 was 4,501,051. Its rank was 22nd in the nation. (The District of Columbia is included for ranking purposes.)

Per Capita Personal Income

In 2002 Colorado had a per capita personal income of $33,723. This per capita personal income ranked 8th in the United States and was 109 percent of the national average, $30,906. The 2002 per capita personal income reflected a decrease of 0.8 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.2 percent. In 1992 the per capita personal income of Colorado was $21,109 and ranked 18th in the United States. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of per capita personal income was 4.8 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 4.0 percent.

Total Personal Income

In 2002 Colorado had a total personal income of $151,789,659. This total personal income ranked 21st in the United States. In 1992 the total personal income of Colorado was $73,794,417 and ranked 22nd in the United States. The 2002 total personal income reflected an increase of 0.8 percent from 2001. The 2001-2002 national change was 2.3 percent. The 1992-2002 average annual growth rate of total personal income was 7.5 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.2 percent.

Components of Personal Income

Total personal income includes net earnings by place of residence; dividends, interest, and rent; and total personal current transfer receipts received by the residents of Colorado. In 2002 net earnings accounted for 72.5 percent of total personal income (compared with 70.9 in 1992); dividends, interest, and rent were 17.8 percent (compared with 18.5 in 1992); and personal current transfer receipts were 9.7 percent (compared with 10.6 in 1992). From 2001 to 2002 net earnings decreased 0.5 percent; dividends, interest, and rent increased 1.3 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased 10.9 percent. From 1992 to 2002 net earnings increased on average 7.7 percent each year; dividends, interest, and rent increased on average 7.0 percent; and personal current transfer receipts increased on average 6.6 percent.

Employment Earnings

Earnings of persons employed in Colorado decreased from $122,426,929 in 2001 to $121,840,931 in 2002, a decrease of 0.5 percent. The 2001-2002 national change was 1.5 percent. The average annual growth rate from the 1992 estimate of $58,433,793 to the 2002 estimate was 7.6 percent. The average annual growth rate for the nation was 5.3 percent.

Area - Colorado ranks eighth among the states in size. It has an area of 269,618 sq km (104,100 sq mi), including 961 sq km (371 sq mi) of inland waters. The state is rectangular in shape, measuring 623 km (387 mi) from east to west and 444 km (276 mi) from north to south. Colorado straddles the Continental Divide, which separates rivers flowing to the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. In Colorado the lands west of the divide are referred to as the Western Slope, while those to the east are often called the Eastern Slope.

Climate - The Great Plains in eastern Colorado have hot dry summers and cold dry winters. In the mountains and on the high plateaus the climate varies greatly from place to place. There, as in most highland regions, temperatures and precipitation (rainfall and snowfall) vary with elevation, exposure to sunlight, and prevailing winds. Average January temperatures on the Great Plains range from about -4° C (about 24° F) in the north to about 1° C (about 34° F) in the south. In the mountains they are cooler, ranging from -12° to -1° C (10° to 30° F) in the lower valleys and mountain slopes and falling considerably lower at high elevations. Often the coldest spots in the state are the high mountain valleys. Extremely cold conditions occasionally occur on the plains when arctic air sweeps down from the north. On such occasions, temperatures drop to the upper -20°s C (lower -20°s F) or colder. When a warm, dry wind, known as the chinook, blows eastward across the plains in winter, temperatures rise rapidly. Average July temperatures range from 18° to 24° C (64° to 76° F) on the plains and on the Colorado Plateau. On the lower mountain slopes and in the valleys, summer temperatures are between 10° and 16° C (50° and 60° F). Cooler conditions prevail in the higher mountains. Hot daytime spells are common on the plains and the Colorado Plateau but are rare in central Colorado. Although Colorado's summers are hot, they are generally not uncomfortable because the relative humidity is usually low. In addition, summer nights are relatively cool.

State Flag

State Flower - Rocky Mountain Columbine

State Capitol - Denver
Colorado has had only one constitution since it became a state in August 1876. It has been amended many times since its adoption. An amendment to the constitution may be proposed by the legislature, by initiative, or by a constitutional convention. To become effective, an amendment must be approved by a majority of the people voting on the issue in an election.

Famous People

Douglas Fairbanks actor, Denver
Erick Hawkins choreographer
Eugene Fodor violinist, Turkey Creek
Gene Fowler writer
Homer Lea soldier, writer
Lawrence H. Gipson historian, Greeley
Lon Chaney actor, Colorado Springs
M. Scott Carpenter astronaut, Boulder
Ouray Ute Indian chief, Colorado Territory
Paul Whiteman conductor, Denver
Ralph Edwards entertainer, Merino
Robert J. Seiwald inventor, Fort Morgan
Ruth Handler toy maker, Denver
Ted Mack TV host, Greeley
Tim Allen actor, Denver
William Harrison (Jack) Dempsey boxer, Manassa