When it comes to a candy that is adored by children and adults alike, there is nothing quite like the Jolly Rancher, which comes complete with juicy fruit flavors that seem to last forever. While you can probably name most flavors by heart, you may be surprised to learn that the iconic Jolly Ranchers were invented right here in Colorado:

One of the most easy-to-recognize downtown areas in Colorado is Golden. This former gold rush town was founded in 1859, and is now home to such places as the Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Railroad Museum, and other well-known museums, restaurants, and shops.

In addition to all of the above, Golden is known for something super sweet. Golden, Colorado, is the original home of the Jolly Rancher, which was invented in a downtown candy shop of the same name in 1949 by Bill and Dorothy Harmsen.

How did this iconic candy come to be? Before inventing the candy, the Harmsens and their Jolly Rancher Company (which was named to suggest a hospitable, western business) sold both ice cream and chocolate, which they quickly realized was not sustainable in the cold, Colorado winters.

Thanks to the lack of ice cream sales during Colorado's coldest months, the Harmsens began to experiment with other sweets, leading to the world-famous, techno-colored Jolly Rancher candy -- and its unique tie to downtown Golden!

In 1951, the production of Jolly Ranchers moved from downtown Golden to a factory in Wheat Ridge. Then, in 1966, the Harmsens sold their factory to Beatrice Foods, which was bought out by the Leaf Candy Company in 1983, and finally acquired by The Hershey Company in 1996.

Today, Jolly Ranchers are produced in both Mexico and Canada, but this nostalgic treat will forever be one of Colorado's greatest -- and sweetest -- inventions.

It's your turn to sound off: Which Jolly Rancher flavor is the best? Let us know in the comments! If you have a Colorado business that you would like to see featured on Only in Your State, be sure to nominate it here. For even more of our favorite Centennial State inventions, check out these 12 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know Came From Colorado.