Colorado

Origin of the name, Colorado

From the Spanish “red” or “ruddy.” The name was first applied to the Colorado River, which was apparently carrying reddish silt. The name was chosen for the future state by William Gilpin, the first territorial governor.

State Symbols

Click here to learn what the State's symbols are and how they came to be.

State Animal - Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep
State Bird - Lark Bunting
State Fish - Greenback Cutthroat Trout
State Flag
State Flower - White and Lavender Columbine
State Folk Dance
State Fossil - Stegosauras
State Gem - Aquamarine
State Grass - Blue Grama Grass
State Insect - Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly
State Motto - "Nil sine Numine" Nothing without Providence
State Nickname - Centennial State
State Song - "Where the Columbines Grow"
State Seal
State Tartan
State Tree - Colorado Blue Spruce

Colorado Links

Canyon of the Ancients
Anasazi Heritage Center
Colorado's National Forests
Colorado's National Parks
Ghost Towns
Dinosaur Tracks
State of Colorado
Water Resources
State Parks