USA, USA, Colorado
Colorado has become known as a skier's paradise, perhaps destined after words from President Theodore Roosevelt,
"Passing through your wonderful mountains and canyons I realize that this state is going to be more and more the playground for the whole republic... You will see this the real Switzerland of America."
Colorado is the highest state and has more mountains reaching 14,000 feet than any other state. "Grand Mesa", the world's largest flat-top plateau is also found in Colorado. Her mountain scenery is some of the most beautiful and dramatic in the United States and Colorado is a center for vacationers taking advantage of the pleasant summer climate and the ample supplies of powdered snow in the winter.
The Rocky Mountain State is a leader in manufacturing of scientific and medical instruments and is also a major agricultural and mining state. Its gold and silver mining boom days are well known. Mrs. J. Brown, socialite wife of a Colorado mining tycoon was immortalized in the Broadway Musical, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" so called after she survived the sinking of the ocean liner "Titanic". Her home in Denver has been maintained as a museum.
THE STATE NAME:
Soon after gold was discovered near Denver, the region around Pikes Peak became the Colorado Territory. Other names, such as Colona, Jefferson, Osage and even Idaho, were suggested and discarded in favor of Colorado, Spanish for "red" in reference to the color of the water of the Colorado River.
THE STATE CITIZENS:
People who live in or come from Colorado are referred to as Coloradans.
In days gone by, Coloradans were given nicknames that aligned with certain characteristics of the people of the times. One might have heard Coloradans called Silverines, a reference to the great silver mines and wealth in the state, or Rovers, characterizing the settlers that arrived in the state during the gold rushes when "Pikes Peak or Bust" became a common slogan. Coloradans have also been referred to as Centennials after the state's most common nickname.
THE STATE QUARTER:
The third commemorative quarter-dollar coin released in 2006 honors Colorado, and is the 38th coin in the United States Mint's 50 State Quarters® Program. The Colorado quarter depicts a sweeping view of the state's rugged Rocky Mountains with evergreen trees and a banner carrying the inscription "Colorful Colorado." The coin also bears the inscriptions "Colorado" and "1876."
Colorado's Rocky Mountains are home to some of the Nation's most majestic natural wonders. Among these, rising approximately 10,000 feet from the valley floor in Northwest Colorado, Grand Mesa is the largest flat-top mountain in the world, and is home to more than 200 lakes and many miles of scenic hiking trails.
Colorado was admitted into the Union on August 1, 1876, becoming our Nation's 38th state. With statehood gained less than one month after the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Colorado is nicknamed the "Centennial State."
The Colorado Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission was formed by an Executive Order issued by Governor Bill Owens. Colorado First Lady Frances Owens served as Commission Chair, and design narratives were accepted from citizens. From more than 1,500 submissions accepted by the Commission, five concepts were forwarded to the United States Mint.
The sculptor-engravers of the United States Mint and artists in the United States Mint's Artistic Infusion Program developed the candidate designs from the narratives provided, and the designs were returned to Colorado in May 2005. On May 31, 2005, Governor Owens announced "Colorful Colorado" as his recommendation for the Colorado commemorative quarter-dollar. The Department of the Treasury approved the design on July 20, 2005.
The four other design concepts considered during the final selection process were "Mesa Verde," featuring Mesa Verde National Park with cliff dwellings; "10th Mountain Division Birthplace," depicting a soldier/skier of the famed United States Army Division that originated in Colorado; "The Centennial State," which features a stylized letter "C" entwined with a mountain columbine flower; and the Rocky Mountains and "Pikes Peak," featuring the gold rush slogan "Pikes Peak or Bust" and a prospector's pick and shovel.
Ссылка на источник: http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/co_intro.htm
