History of Colorado in Timeline
Colorado is a Mountain state in the Western US, renowned for its diverse landscape encompassing mountains, forests, plains, mesas, canyons, plateaus, rivers, and deserts. It's the eighth-largest U.S. state by area, and the 21st by population, with an estimated population of nearly 6 million as of 2024. Geographically, Colorado includes most of the Southern Rocky Mountains, the northeastern part of the Colorado Plateau, and the western edge of the Great Plains.
1901: Denver Consecutive Days Above 90°F Record
In 1901, Denver set a record for the number of consecutive days above 90°F (32°C).
1903: Western Federation of Miners Strike
In 1903, poor labor conditions led to the 1903–1904 Western Federation of Miners Strike where strikers clashed with the Colorado National Guard.
1904: Western Federation of Miners Strike
In 1903, poor labor conditions led to the 1903–1904 Western Federation of Miners Strike where strikers clashed with the Colorado National Guard. The strike continued into 1904.
1905: Holly Sugar First Milled
In 1905, Holly Sugar was first milled from beets in Holly, Colorado.
1906: Oscar Wilde on Leadville
In his 1906 "Impressions of America", Irish playwright Oscar Wilde described Leadville as "the richest city in the world. It has also got the reputation of being the roughest, and every man carries a revolver."
1908: Democratic Party Convention in Denver
In 1908, Colorado became the first western state to host a major political convention when the Democratic Party met in Denver.
1910: Radium Mining Domination
From 1910 to 1922, Colorado and Utah dominated radium mining, with uranium and vanadium as byproducts.
1910: Samsonite Luggage Originates
In 1910, Samsonite luggage, a brand known nationally, originated in a Colorado factory in Denver.
1911: Gates Belts and Hoses Originates
In 1911, Gates belts and hoses, a brand known nationally, originated in a Colorado factory in Denver.
1913: Colorado Coalfield War
In 1913, labor unrest led to the 1913–1914 Coalfield War, resulting in federal troop intervention to quell the violence.
1914: Colorado Coalfield War and Ludlow Massacre
In 1914, the Colorado Coalfield War continued and included the Ludlow massacre, which resulted in the deaths of a dozen women and children. Federal troops intervened to end the violence.
1920: CoorsTek Industrial Ceramics Originates
In 1920, CoorsTek industrial ceramics, a brand known nationally, originated in a Colorado factory in Golden.
1920: Denver Streetcar Strike
In 1920, the Denver streetcar strike resulted in federal troops intervening to end the violence.
1921: College Renamed
In 1921, Sacred Heart College was renamed Regis College.
1922: Radium Mining Domination
From 1910 to 1922, Colorado and Utah dominated radium mining, with uranium and vanadium as byproducts.
1923: Russell Stover Candies Originates
In 1923, Russell Stover Candies, a brand known nationally, originated in a Colorado factory in Denver.
April 1, 1924: Armed Students Patrol Campus
On April 1, 1924, armed students patrolled the campus after a burning cross was found, the climax of tensions between Regis College and the locally-powerful Ku Klux Klan.
1924: Ku Klux Klan Dominance in Colorado Politics
In 1924, the Ku Klux Klan achieved dominance in Colorado politics, exerting significant control over the Democratic and Republican parties, including the governor's office and city governments.
1927: Colorado Coal Strike and Columbine Mine Massacre
In 1927, the 1927-28 Colorado coal strike occurred. During it, the Columbine Mine massacre resulted in six dead strikers following a confrontation with Colorado Rangers.
1930: Colorado Population Exceeds One Million
By the U.S. census in 1930, the population of Colorado first exceeded one million residents.
1930: Monfort of Colorado, Inc. Established
In 1930, Monfort of Colorado, Inc., which later evolved into Swift packed meat of Greeley, was established.
November 8, 1932: Repeal of Alcohol Prohibition Approved
On November 8, 1932, Colorado approved the repeal of alcohol prohibition, more than a year before the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified.
1935: College Renamed
In 1935, the Agricultural College of Colorado was renamed the Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
1940: Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation
In 1940 the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation was established.
1940: U.S. Census Bureau Report
In 1940, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Colorado's population as 8.2% Hispanic and 90.3% non-Hispanic White.
1941: USS Colorado at Pearl Harbor Attack
In 1941, at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the battleship USS Colorado was located at the naval base in San Diego, California, and thus went unscathed.
1945: Last Wild Wolf Shot in Colorado
In the 1930s, a process of extirpation saw the last wild wolf in Colorado shot in 1945.
1947: Mountain Goat Introduction Begins
Between 1947 and 1972, the mountain goat, not native to Colorado, was introduced to the state.
1948: Presidential Election
In 1948, Colorado voted for the Democratic candidate in the presidential election, deviating from its reliably Republican voting pattern in the post-World War II era.
1949: Jolly Rancher Candy Originates
In 1949, Jolly Rancher candy, a brand known nationally, originated in a Colorado factory in Golden.
1950: Assessment by Service Academy Board
Following a 1950 assessment by the Service Academy Board, it was determined that there was a need to supplement the U.S. Military and Naval Academies with a third school.
1953: Motor Vehicle Sales Ban on Sunday
Since at least 1953, Colorado has banned the sale of motor vehicles on Sunday via C.R.S. section 12-6-302.
April 1, 1954: U.S. Air Force Academy Creation
On April 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a law that moved for the creation of a U.S. Air Force Academy.
1955: Air Force Academy Established
From its establishment in 1955, until the construction of appropriate facilities in Colorado Springs was completed and opened in 1958, the Air Force Academy operated out of Lowry Air Force Base in Denver.
September 11, 1957: Plutonium Fire at Rocky Flats Plant
On September 11, 1957, a plutonium fire occurred at the Rocky Flats Plant, resulting in significant plutonium contamination of surrounding populated areas.
1957: College Renamed to Colorado State University
In 1957, the Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts became Colorado State University.
1958: Estes Model Rockets Launched
In 1958, Estes model rockets were first launched in Penrose, Colorado.
1958: Cadets Moved to New Campus
In 1958, with the opening of the Colorado Springs facility, the cadets moved to the new campus.
1958: Last Electoral Victory for a Native-Born Coloradan
Prior to Bill Ritter's election in 2007, the previous electoral victory for a native-born Coloradan in a gubernatorial race was in 1958.
1962: Waterpik Products Introduced
In 1962, Waterpik dental water jets and showerheads were established in Fort Collins, Colorado.
1964: Presidential Election
In 1964, Colorado voted for the Democratic candidate in the presidential election, deviating from its reliably Republican voting pattern in the post-World War II era.
1967: Colorado Loosens Abortion Restrictions
In 1967, Colorado was the first state to loosen restrictions on abortion when governor John Love signed a law allowing abortions in cases of rape, incest, or threats to the woman's mental or physical health.
March 1969: National Chicano Youth Liberation Conference
In March 1969, the National Chicano Youth Liberation Conference was held in Colorado.
1969: Celestial Seasonings Established
In 1969, Celestial Seasonings herbal teas started being made in Boulder, Colorado.
May 12, 1970: Denver chosen to host 1976 Winter Olympics
On May 12, 1970, Denver was chosen by the International Olympic Committee as the host city for the 1976 Winter Olympics.
1972: Mountain Goat Introduction Ends
Between 1947 and 1972, the mountain goat, not native to Colorado, was introduced to the state.
1972: Voters Reject Funding for 1976 Winter Olympics
In 1972, Colorado voters rejected a referendum proposal to fund the 1976 Winter Olympics, which had been scheduled to be held in the state.
1973: Earthquake Records in Colorado
As of June 2020, there were 525 recorded earthquakes in Colorado since 1973, a majority of which range 2 to 3.5 on the Richter scale.
1973: John Arthur Love Position in Nixon Administration
In 1973, John Arthur Love was given a position in Richard Nixon's administration, resulting in John David Vanderhoof ascending from the Lieutenant Governorship.
1975: End of Native-Born Governor Era
In 1975, when John David Vanderhoof left office, Colorado had its last native-born governor until 2007.
1976: Big Thompson River Flooding
In 1976, the Big Thompson River flooding occurred.
1976: Winter Olympics Scheduled
In 1976, the Winter Olympics had been scheduled to be held in Colorado, however, funding was rejected by voters in 1972.
1981: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Founded
In 1981, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory made its first candy in Durango, Colorado.
1984: Presidential Election Result
The 2020 presidential election was the first time Colorado had been won by double digits since 1984.
February 1, 1985: Lowest Ambient Air Temperature Recorded in Colorado
On February 1, 1985, the lowest official air temperature ever recorded in Colorado was −61 °F (−51.7 °C) at Maybell.
1988: Rio Grande Acquired
In 1988 the "Rio Grande" was acquired, but was merged into, the Southern Pacific Railroad by their joint owner Philip Anschutz.
July 11, 1990: Severe Denver Hailstorm
On July 11, 1990, Denver was hit by a severe hailstorm.
1990: Limon F3 Tornado
In 1990, the Limon F3 tornado caused damage in the Eastern Plains of Colorado.
1991: Regis College Renamed
In 1991, Regis College was renamed Regis University.
1992: Presidential Election
In 1992, Colorado voted for the Democratic candidate in the presidential election, deviating from its reliably Republican voting pattern in the post-World War II era.
1992: Amendment 2 Approved
In 1992, by a margin of 53 to 47 percent, Colorado voters approved Amendment 2 to the state constitution. This amendment would have prevented any city, town, or county in the state from recognizing homosexuals or bisexuals as a protected class.
1993: Mountain Goats Declared Native Species
In 1993, despite being an artificially-introduced species, the state declared mountain goats a native species.
September 11, 1996: Anschutz Sale
On September 11, 1996, Anschutz sold the combined company to the Union Pacific Railroad, creating the largest railroad network in the United States.
1996: Romer v. Evans Ruling
In 1996, in a 6–3 ruling in Romer v. Evans, the U.S. Supreme Court found that preventing protected status based upon homosexuality or bisexuality in Colorado did not satisfy the Equal Protection Clause.
1999: Columbine High School Massacre
In 1999, the Columbine High School massacre occurred, where two gunmen killed 12 students and one teacher before committing suicide.
November 7, 2000: Amendment 20 Passed
On November 7, 2000, 54% of Colorado voters passed Amendment 20, which amends the Colorado State constitution to allow the medical use of marijuana.
2000: Colorado Non-Native Population
According to the 2000 census, nearly 60% of Coloradans are native to other states.
2000: Ancestry Groups
According to the 2000 census, the largest ancestry groups in Colorado are German (22%), Mexican (18%), Irish (12%), and English (12%).
2000: Marijuana Legalized for Medicinal Use
In 2000, Colorado legalized marijuana for medicinal use.
2000: Hispanic Population Estimate
Per the 2000 census, the Hispanic population is estimated to be 918,899, or approximately 20% of the state's total population.
2001: Uranium Mining Revival Prompted
From 2001 to 2007, uranium price increases prompted several companies to revive uranium mining in Colorado.
2002: Hayman Fire
In 2002, the Hayman Fire was a notable wildfire in Colorado.
2003: Senior Property Tax Exemption Suspended
In 2003, the Colorado Legislature temporarily suspended the state's senior property tax exemption.
2004: Obesity Rate
In 2004, 17% of the population in Colorado was considered medically obese.
2006: Tax Break to Return
In 2006, the tax break was scheduled to return for the assessment year, payable in 2007.
2006: Amendment 43 Passed
In 2006, voters passed Amendment 43, which banned same-sex marriage in Colorado.
2006: Births in Colorado
There were a total of 70,331 births in Colorado in 2006, resulting in a birth rate of 14.6 per thousand.
2007: Uranium Mining Revival Prompted
From 2001 to 2007, uranium price increases prompted several companies to revive uranium mining in Colorado.
2007: Election of Bill Ritter
In 2007, Bill Ritter, a native-born Coloradan, took office as governor, marking the first electoral victory for a native-born Coloradan in a gubernatorial race since 1958.
2007: Births by Ethnicity
In 2007, non-Hispanic Whites were involved in 59.1% of all births in Colorado, with 14.06% involving a non-Hispanic White person and someone of a different race (often Hispanic), and 43% of births involving at least one Hispanic person.
2007: Tax Break Payable
The tax break was scheduled to return for the assessment year 2006, payable in 2007.
2008: Presidential Election
In 2008, Colorado voted for Barack Obama in the presidential election, signaling a shift towards the Democratic Party.
2008: Windsor EF3 Tornado
In 2008, the Windsor EF3 tornado devastated a small town in the Eastern Plains of Colorado.
2008: Uranium-Mining Project Canceled
In late 2008, price drops and financing problems forced companies to cancel or scale back the uranium-mining project.
2008: New Record for Consecutive Days Above 90°F in Denver
In the summer of 2008, Denver broke the 1901 record with 24 consecutive days above 90°F (32°C).
2009: Colorado Population Exceeds Five Million
In 2009, the United States Census Bureau estimated that the population of Colorado exceeded five million.
2010: Largest Christian Denominations
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives, the largest Christian denominations by the number of adherents in 2010 were the Catholic Church with 811,630; multi-denominational Evangelical Protestants with 229,981; and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with 151,433.
2010: Hispanic Percentage
As of the 2010 census, Colorado has the seventh highest percentage of Hispanics (20.7%) in the U.S.
2010: Boulder Named America's Foodiest Town
In 2010, Boulder was named America's Foodiest Town by Bon Appétit.
2010: Per Capita Personal Income
Per capita personal income in Colorado in 2010 was $51,940, ranking Colorado 11th in the nation.
2010: Denver-Aurora-Lakewood MSA Census
The 10-county Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area at the 2010 census.
2010: Front Range Urban Corridor Census
The 18-county Front Range Urban Corridor along the northeast face of the Southern Rocky Mountains at the 2010 census.
August 22, 2011: Earthquake near Trinidad
On August 22, 2011, a 5.3 magnitude earthquake occurred 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Trinidad.
2011: Minority Population
In 2011, 46% of Colorado's population younger than the age of one were minorities, meaning that they had at least one parent who was not non-Hispanic White.
June 2012: Waldo Canyon Fire and High Park Fire
In June 2012, the Waldo Canyon Fire and High Park Fire occurred.
July 20, 2012: Aurora Movie Theater Shooting
On July 20, 2012, a gunman killed 12 people in a movie theater in Aurora.
November 6, 2012: Amendment to Protect Marijuana
On November 6, 2012, voters amended the state constitution to protect "personal use" of marijuana for adults, establishing a framework to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol.
2012: Marijuana Legalized
In 2012, Colorado adopted the 64th state amendment, becoming the first state in the union to legalize marijuana for industrial and recreational use.
2012: Presidential Election
In 2012, Colorado voted for Barack Obama in the presidential election, continuing its shift towards the Democratic Party.
January 2013: RTD Rail System
As of January 2013 the RTD rail system had 170 light-rail vehicles, serving 47 miles (76 km) of track.
June 2013: Black Forest Fire
In June 2013, the Black Forest Fire occurred.
2013: Pronghorn Population Increase
By 2013, conservation efforts succeeded in bringing the pronghorn population in Colorado back up to roughly 66,000.
2013: Mountain Goat Kid Illness
In 2013, an unknown illness killed nearly all mountain goat kids, leading to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife investigation. The illness also occurred in 2014 and 2019.
January 1, 2014: First Recreational Marijuana Shops Open
On January 1, 2014, the first recreational marijuana shops in Colorado, and by extension the United States, opened their doors.
April 4, 2014: Senate Bill 14-184 Introduced
On April 4, 2014, Senate Bill 14–184 addressing oversight of Colorado's industrial hemp program was first introduced.
May 31, 2014: Senate Bill 14-184 Signed into Law
On May 31, 2014, Senate Bill 14–184 addressing oversight of Colorado's industrial hemp program was signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper.
August 2014: Driver Licenses Issued
In August 2014, Colorado began to issue driver licenses to aliens not lawfully in the United States who lived in Colorado.
September 2014: Non-Citizens Issued Licenses
In September 2014, KCNC reported that 524 non-citizens were issued Colorado driver licenses that are normally issued to U.S. citizens living in Colorado.
2014: Life Expectancy
According to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association, residents of Colorado had a 2014 life expectancy of 80.21 years, the longest of any U.S. state.
2014: Religious Affiliations
As of 2014, major religious affiliations of the people of Colorado were 64% Christian, of whom there are 44% Protestant, 16% Roman Catholic, 3% Mormon, and 1% Eastern Orthodox.
2014: Mountain Goat Kid Illness
In 2014, an unknown illness killed nearly all mountain goat kids, leading to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife investigation. The illness also occurred in 2013 and 2019.
2014: Medical Marijuana Program Funding
In 2014, while governor, John Hickenlooper allocated about half of the state's $13 million "Medical Marijuana Program Cash Fund" to medical research.
2015: Furious 7 Filming
In 2015, Furious 7 was scheduled to film driving sequences on Pikes Peak Highway in Colorado.
2015: Obergefell v. Hodges Decision
In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges nullified Colorado's Amendment 43, which had banned same-sex marriage.
2015: Total State Product
The total state product in Colorado in 2015 was $318.6 billion.
2016: No Major Uranium Mining Operations
As of 2016, there were no major uranium mining operations in the state of Colorado, though plans existed to restart production.
2016: Presidential Election
In 2016, Colorado voted for Hillary Clinton in the presidential election, continuing its shift towards the Democratic Party.
2016: Marijuana Sales
In 2016, Colorado's marijuana industry sold $1.31 billion worth of marijuana and generated tax, fee, and license revenue of $194 million on legal marijuana sales.
2016: Median Annual Household Income
In 2016, the Median Annual Household Income in Colorado was $70,666, ranking 8th in the nation.
May 8, 2017: Costliest Hailstorm in Colorado History
On May 8, 2017, Denver experienced the costliest hailstorm in the state's history.
August 24, 2018: Minor Earthquakes in Colorado
On August 24, 2018, four minor earthquakes rattled Colorado, ranging from magnitude 2.9 to 4.3.
December 2018: State Unemployment Rate
As of December 2018, the state's unemployment rate was 4.2%.
2018: Obesity Rate
As of 2018, 24% of the population in Colorado was considered medically obese.
2018: Medical Marijuana Program Cash Fund Used for Autism Research
By 2018, the Medical Marijuana Program Cash Fund was the "largest pool of pot money in the state" and was used to fund programs including research into pediatric applications for controlling autism symptoms.
2018: Tourism Statistics
In 2018, Colorado attracted 85.2 million tourists, generating $22.3 billion in revenue.
2018: Grand Valley AVA as Wine Travel Destination
In 2018, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Colorado's Grand Valley AVA in Mesa County, Colorado, as one of the Top Ten wine travel destinations in the world.
2018: USS Colorado Commissioned
In 2018, the Virginia-class submarine USS Colorado (SSN-788) was commissioned.
2018: Teachers' Strike Inspired
In 2018, the West Virginia teachers' strike inspired teachers in other states, including Colorado, to take similar action.
July 20, 2019: Highest Ambient Air Temperature Recorded in Colorado
On July 20, 2019, the highest official ambient air temperature ever recorded in Colorado was 115 °F (46.1 °C) at John Martin Dam.
October 2019: Digital ID Accepted
In October 2019, Colorado became the first state to accept digital ID via its myColorado app.
2019: Hispanic Population
By 2019, Hispanics made up 22% of Colorado's population, and Non-Hispanic Whites made up 70%.
2019: Pronghorn Population Estimated at 85,000
By 2019, the pronghorn population in Colorado was estimated to have reached 85,000, leading to more run-ins with increased suburban housing along the eastern Front Range.
2019: Report on Climate Change Vulnerability in Southeastern Colorado
In 2019, The Denver Post reported that "[i]ndividuals living in southeastern Colorado are more vulnerable to potential health effects from climate change than residents in other parts of the state".
2019: Wolf Pack Recolonization
In 2019, a wolf pack recolonized Moffat County, Colorado.
2019: Mountain Goat Kid Illness
In 2019, an unknown illness killed nearly all mountain goat kids, leading to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife investigation. The illness also occurred in 2013 and 2014.
2019: Employment Statistics
In 2019, the total employment in Colorado was 2,473,192, with 174,258 employer establishments.
April 18, 2020: Space Force Officers Commissioned
The first class of Space Force officers from the Air Force Academy commissioned on April 18, 2020.
June 2020: Earthquake Records in Colorado
As of June 2020, there were 525 recorded earthquakes in Colorado since 1973, a majority of which range 2 to 3.5 on the Richter scale.
November 2020: Income Tax Rate Lowered
In November 2020, Colorado voters authorized an initiative to lower the state income tax rate to 4.55 percent.
2020: Population in Municipalities
At the 2020 United States census, 4,299,942 of the 5,773,714 Colorado residents (74.47%) lived in one of the 273 active incorporated municipalities.
2020: Vote to Reintroduce Gray Wolves
In 2020, Coloradans voted to reintroduce gray wolves, with the state committing to a plan to have a population in the state by 2022.
2020: Presidential Election
In 2020, Colorado voted for Joe Biden in the presidential election, continuing its shift towards the Democratic Party.
2020: Religious landscape
In 2020, according to the Public Religion Research Institute, Christianity was 66% of the population. Judaism was also reported to have increased in this separate study, forming 2% of the religious landscape, while the religiously unaffiliated were reported to form 28% of the population in this separate study.
2020: Corn Yields Impacted by Arid Conditions
In 2020, arid conditions and drought negatively impacted corn yields in the Eastern Plains of Colorado.
2020: Largest Christian Denominations
In 2020, the Association of Religion Data Archives determined the largest Christian denominations were Catholics (873,236), non/multi/inter-denominational Protestants (406,798), and Mormons (150,509).
2020: Pine Gulch Fire, Cameron Peak Fire, and East Troublesome Fire
In 2020, the Pine Gulch Fire, Cameron Peak Fire, and East Troublesome Fire became the three largest fires in Colorado history.
2020: United States Census
In 2020, the United States Census was conducted. The Census Bureau estimated the population of Colorado to be 5,957,493 as of July 1, 2024, marking a 3.2% increase from the 2020 census.
2020: Voting Accessibility Ranking
In a 2020 study, Colorado was ranked as the seventh easiest state for citizens to vote in.
2020: Denver-Aurora CSA Population
The Denver-Aurora, CO Combined Statistical Area had a population of 3,623,560 at the 2020 census.
2020: Front Range Urban Corridor Population
The Front Range Urban Corridor along the northeast face of the Southern Rocky Mountains had a population of 5,055,344 at the 2020 census.
March 22, 2021: Boulder King Soopers Shooting
On March 22, 2021, a gunman killed 10 people, including a police officer, in a King Soopers supermarket in Boulder.
December 30, 2021: Marshall Fire
On December 30, 2021, the Marshall Fire started and was the most destructive ever in terms of property loss.
November 2022: myColorado App Users
By November 2022, the Colorado Governor's Office of Information Technology announced that the myColorado app had over 1 million users.
2022: Homeless Population
According to HUD's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 10,397 homeless people in Colorado.
2022: Wolf Reintroduction Plan
Coloradans voted to reintroduce gray wolves in 2020, with the state committing to a plan to have a population in the state by 2022.
2022: Colorado Springs Nightclub Shooting
In 2022, a gunman killed 5 people at a nightclub in Colorado Springs in an instance of anti-LGBT violence.
2022: Corn Yields Impacted by Arid Conditions
In 2022, arid conditions and drought negatively impacted corn yields in the Eastern Plains of Colorado.
2022: Christian affiliations
In 2022, the same organization reported 61% was Christian (39% Protestant, 19% Catholic, 2% Mormon, 1% Eastern Orthodox), 2% New Age, 1% Jewish, 1% Hindu, and 34% religiously unaffiliated.
2022: Religious Self-Identification
Religious self-identification per Public Religion Research Institute's 2022 American Values Survey.
July 1, 2023: Population Estimate
On July 1, 2023, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of Colorado at 5,877,610.
July 21, 2023: Statistical Areas Defined
On July 21, 2023, the Office of Management and Budget defined 21 statistical areas for Colorado comprising four combined statistical areas, seven metropolitan statistical areas, and ten micropolitan statistical areas.
December 19, 2023: Colorado Supreme Court Ruling on Donald Trump
On December 19, 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump was disqualified from the 2024 United States presidential election in part due to his alleged incitement of the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
2023: Democratic Party Majority in Colorado General Assembly
As of 2023, the Democratic Party holds a 23 to 12 majority in the Colorado Senate and a 46 to 19 majority in the Colorado House.
March 4, 2024: U.S. Supreme Court Overrules Colorado Decision
On March 4, 2024, the United States Supreme Court overruled the Colorado Supreme Court decision regarding Donald Trump's eligibility for the 2024 presidential election.
July 1, 2024: Colorado Population Estimate
On July 1, 2024, the United States Census Bureau estimated Colorado's population to be 5,957,493, marking a 3.2% increase from the 2020 United States census.
2024: Abortion Rights Established
In 2024, Colorado residents voted to establish an explicit right to abortion in Colorado's state constitution and to repeal Amendment 43's defunct marriage ban.
2024: Presidential Election
In 2024, Colorado voted for Kamala Harris in the presidential election, continuing its shift towards the Democratic Party.
2025: Real ID Enforcement Begins
In 2025, the state-issued digital identifications will be considered valid when Real ID enforcement begins, in line with the Real ID Act of 2005.
