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Adventures In The Centennial State: Colorado's Beauty Is Hard To Beat

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Overview

Introduction

Colorado is a magnificent state which encompasses most of the Southern Rocky Mountain range as well as the northeast part of the Colorado Plateau and the westernmost edge of the Great Plains. With a total area of 104,094 square miles, Colorado is the eighth largest of the United States, yet its population ranks as the 22nd most populous of all fifty United States. While Colorado doesn’t rank among the nation’s best places to dive, it does have much to offer landlocked scuba divers who want to keep their skills up to date and enjoy a bit of bottom time. 

Colorado is a beautiful and friendly state where life takes on a relaxed pace and the views go on forever. The state offers many history and heritage sites, numerous ski areas, lovely cities and towns, and an abundance of lakes and reservoirs suitable for diving.  You might be surprised to discover that there are quite a few scuba shops offering air, equipment rentals, and much more. Whether you are planning a trip to Colorado for business or pleasure, give yourself time to check out a few of the state’s top dive sites while you’re there. 

Geography

Colorado is bordered by Wyoming to the north, Kansas and Nebraska to the northeast, New Mexico and Oklahoma to the south, and Arizona and Utah to the west. Nicknamed the Centennial State because it was granted statehood in 1876, 100 years after the signing of the declaration of independence, Colorado gets its name from the Colorado River.  The river in turn got its name when Spanish explorers dubbed it the Rio Colorado due to the reddish silt that the river often carries down from the state’s rugged mountains. 

History

The history of Colorado began long before the Spaniards first laid eyes on the state’s fabled red river. Archaeological evidence suggests that the region has been inhabited by Native American people for over 13,000 years; ancient cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde and other sites were inhabited by Pueblo peoples, and the easternmost edge of the Rockies is known to have been a major migratory route for many Native American tribes. The Ute, Comanche, and Apache Nations inhabited the mountain valleys, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho Nations claimed the region’s high plains as valuable hunting territory. 

The United States acquired the area which now encompasses the state of Colorado as part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase; this led to a conflict with Spain and subsequent battles over borders and territory which were eventually settled after the 1846 Mexican-American war. Colorado was officially surrendered to the United States at the end of the conflict as part of the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Afterward, American settlers headed toward Oregon Country and California passed through the state in covered wagons; some of them decided to remain there. Sadly, most of the state’s Native Americans were displaced with the advent of railroads, as well as the discovery of precious metals that led to a boom in gold and silver mining. 

The state’s population grew to exceed one million residents by 1930, but many people fled during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression.  By the end of the Second World War though, people returned in huge numbers, and the state made a rebound. Today, tourism and technology are among Colorado’s chief industries. 

Economy

Colorado’s economy is excellent. Not only does the state produce many important minerals, precious metals, and gemstones, it also produces many agricultural products. The federal government is one of the state’s major employers, and major manufacturers including Russell Stover Candies, Coors, Holly Sugar, Celestial Seasonings, and Waterpik run factories in the state.  

Location:
  • North America
  • United States
  • Colorado
Keywords: north america dive travel, united states dive travel, us dive travel, colorado dive travel, colorado diving Author:
Melissa Gwaldis
Related Tags: Diving Guides