Happy 146th birthday to the State of Colorado. On this date in history, Colorado became the 38th state after previously being a territory from 1861. Designed by architect Elijah E. Myers, construction on the state capitol began in the 1890’s and opened to the public in November 1894 in a style reminiscent of the US capitol building using Colorado white granite and topped with a gold-coated dome. The dome is covered in copper panels and gilded with gold leaf from a Colorado mine and was added in 1908 to commemorate Colorado’s Gold Rush. A fresh application of 65 ounces of .999 pure Colorado mined gold was reapplied a few years ago. Sparkling in the Rocky Mountain sun, the dome now commemorates modern day settlers arriving for a different kind of rush…the flourishing marijuana industry and a robust state economy as thousands move to the state every year. According to the 2020 census, there are now over 5.685 million people in Colorado.
Historical Information
The interior of the capitol has what is believed to be the entire known supply of Colorado Rose Onyx, a rare rose marble mined from a quarry near Beulah, in southern Colorado. White Yule Marble from quarries near Marble, Colorado, was also used throughout the building for the floors.
Located in a downtown park designated as a national historic landmark, the capitol is situated slightly higher than the rest of downtown Denver. At 180 feet (55 m) tall, the entrance hall is open to the top of the dome, about the height of an 18-story building. Referred to as the Mile High City, the official elevation for Denver was marked on the outside West steps, where the 15th step is engraved with the words “One Mile Above Sea Level” at 5,280 feet (1,609m). A subsequent measurement taken in 1969 by Colorado State University students marked the 18th step as being the mile high marker. A more recent and accurate measurement taken in 2003, now identifies the 13th step as being at the one mile (1.6km) high mark.
Happy Birthday, Colorado. For an old broad, you’re looking good.
And now for today’s smile which isn’t nearly as funny when you’re in the middle of the queue.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
Lulu: “Happy birthday, Colorado! Better take care of that rose onyx marble, there’s no more where that came from!”
We’ll do our best, Lulu.
Happy Birthday Colorado! It is a beautiful state indeed! Haha on the comic! 🙂
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the smile. We’re living it most days anymore.
I am sure you are!
That really is a beauty of a building! And how lovely that Colorado is doing so well financially 😉
Happy Tuesday (since I’m late!)
It really is a spectacular structure-I find something to ooh and ahh over every time I’m there. Alas, yes, the state is doing well, but with everyone moving here it continues to challenge resources. You have to reserve any state park visits and the more scenic places no longer allow vehicle traffic-doggone stoners. 😕
Yes, that would be the down-side, wouldn’t it? We cannot have it all, it would appear.
It seemed better all around when it was a well kept secret 😉
I don’t doub THAT for a second!!!
That cartoon is very accurate!
A little too accurate. 😉
What a beautiful capital building!!! Happy birthday, Colorado!!!
Woos – Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Looking great AND prosperous from the sounds of it.
A bit of both.
Indeed.
Thanks. It IS a very striking building and it is always a treat to go through it whenever I’m downtown. I especially loved checking out the view of the mountains from the observation deck. Happy Monday!
Sounds glorious.
A Beautiful building indeed! Happy Birthday to your wonderful state!
Say cool! Hope you might get a drop or two of rain…we had enough to cause increased humidity…not even measurable!
Thank you. So far not much in the way of rain (isolated showers keep missing us). At least the afternoons get cloudy and remediate the 90+ degree days. 🥵
Happy 146th Birthday Collyrado!
Waht an amazin hiss-tory Miss Monika an Sweet Norman an Elsa….
***nosekissess*** BellaDharma an BellaSita Sistur
Thank you! Here’s hoping your week is totally pawsome.
Thanks dear kitty. I’m a big fan of architectural beauties especially when combined with history. This building is gorgeous, from top to bottom.
Happy Birthday to a BEAUTIFUL State! Thanks for the photos too and info on the very pretty capitol building. Woo Hoo!
Hugs, Pam
Thanks, Pam. The capitol building is as beautiful as the state and such a great place to check to. I love doing self tours whenever I’m downtown. Happy Monday!
Arizona became a state in 1912. They left all the big signs along the highways that say Arizona Centennial 1912 2012. I guess they’ll leave them up until 2112 (maybe).
Removing them would likely be very costly. Perhaps the state can auction off rights to other advertisers.
Like Burma Shave
Happy Birthday, Colorado. Thanks, Monika.
Thank you, John. Have a great week.
😊
Happy Colorado Day!!!
Thanks, guys! Hope you have a pawsome week.
Happy birthday, Colorado! What a nice post!
Thank you! Appreciate the birthday wishes. Happy Monday.
Thanks for the information. I am woefully ignorant of the U.S. so this was helpful on Colorado. As to the traffic I had a friend living in the Lake District of England who was exasperated by the traffic in his village and referred to caravans and camper vans as carapox and caraclap.
Your Lake District friend accurately describes the constant traffic. You shouldn’t feel ignorant, no doubt you probably know far more about the US than most folks who live in the US. Sadly we are a country of ill-informed, loud obnoxious people, I’m sorry to say who are convinced rules do not apply to themselves.
Happy Birthday Colorado.
Love the funny. There are people that are that absorbed in themselves. Bless their hearts.
Have a fabulous day and week. Scritches to the pups, a smooch to Norman and a big hug to you. ♥
Thanks for the birthday wishes, Sandee. You’re right about the self-absorbed. I had to chuckle at the ‘blessing.’ Have a super Monday! Hugs and tail wags from all of us at the Ranch.
Yes, happy birthday to the state who is home to the reigning NHL champs. I am sure Broncos fans are hoping for similar results. The capitol building history is interesting, especially regarding the dome. That comic reminded me of someone I drove behind over the weekend. I think they were sightseeing too… Happy Colorado Day!
Thanks, Bruce. The Broncos rule the town media wise though even with the addition of #3, their record likely won’t be much different from the past 5 years. The offensive line is the biggest shortcoming which I’m sure the esteemed Mr. Wilson will soon learn.
The capitol building is a gorgeous architectural structure. I always find something new and interesting whenever I visit it. As soon as I clear the security checkpoint at the entrance. Sigh. Happy Monday.
It sounds like Russ should be ready to run? Hopefully, he still has the wheels to get out of the pocket (if there is one), because there is talent on that team at the skill positions. I am rooting for them this year, Monika. Happy Monday!
Time will tell if he’s still got it and if the across the board off-season changes will make a difference. 🤞🏻
Nice entry. I pride myself on knowing a lot about our state, but your post was chock full of details I didn’t know. Very interesting!
Thanks, Amy. Like you, I find history fascinating. Have you ever taken the capitol tour? I loved all the historical pics and info.
So interesting about the Capitol Building. Love that oh so true cartoon!
It’s more than true, it’s a way of life these days. Traffic is completely out of control and not just in the mountains. 😕 Happy Monday.
happy colorado day and a happy birthday to all peeps and pets in CO… today is also swiss day, maybe you can celebrate all together….
I’m more than happy to celebrate with the Swiss! Happy Monday.
Happy Birthday CO!
Thanks. She’s aged fairly well, considering all the use she’s gotten especially lately.
Happy Birthday to the home of the Stanley Cup Champs! interesting tidbit about the move to the 13th step. It’s an appropriate day for a toast with suds!
It’s always perplexed me for the multiple designations. Sure I get modern technology…but sheesh. And 13? I don’t think there’s a single highrise in downtown that has a 13th floor.
Not only did the Av’s win the Stanley Cup, but DU won the National championship this season as well. A lot of locals are calling Denver Hockeytown, much to the chagrin of all the Michiganders who moved here.
I would settle for Hockeytown 2022.
😇 Hairsplitting still bugs folks from Michigan. Even if it’s true.
They need another beer.
🤣 Among other things. I find it quite ironic the most touchy folks who migrate here wax o n and on about ‘home.’ If home was so wonderful, I can’t help but wonder, why are they here? 🍻
Happy Colorado Day!
Thank you!