14 Quirky Facts About Colorado That Sound Made Up, But Are 100% True

If you grew up in Colorado, chances are you took a state history class where you learned about Indigenous peoples, mining towns, and the railroad that helped shape the Centennial State. But Colorado’s past isn’t all textbooks and timelines. Some of its stories are downright quirky, like these 14 fun facts you might not believe.

1. Colorado Invented the Cheeseburger...

What better way to begin this list than this tasty tidbit? While other states may try to claim they invented the cheeseburger, it simply isn't true. This iconic food was first served in 1935 at the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver.

2. ...and Colorado Invented Fast-Casual Restaurants

What do Chipotle, Q'doba, Noodles, and Tokyo Joe's all have in common? They all hail from Colorado, making us the capital of delicious and ingenious ideas!

3. More Than 1/3 of Colorado Land Belongs to the Government...

Nearly 22 million acres of Colorado is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, or the National Park Service. This makes us the ninth state with the most land owned by the federal government.

4. 75% of Colorado's Land is Above 10,000 feet

As locals, we call mountains with peaks above 10,000 feet "10ers". We have more than enough to make for a lifetime of happy hikes.

5. If You Think 10,000 Feet Is Tall, Wait Until You Hear About the 14ers!

14ers are 14,000-foot tall peaks. We have 58 of them, and our friends at All Trails compiled this list so you can easily choose which ones you want to tackle.

6. Denver Has One of the Country's Largest Park Systems

This one should be no surprise, as Denver is known near and far for its many beautiful parks and open spaces! As it turns out, these vast fields and playgrounds outnumber most other cities, with Denver boasting a whopping 14,000 acres of parkland.

7. Colorado Is the Only State Ever to Turn Down the Olympics

You’ve heard the rumors, and we’re here to report that they’re true: Denver did indeed turn down the chance to host the 1976 Winter Olympics after residents voted it down. Why? Denverites cited an increase in pollution, population and overall cost to taxpayers.

8. Every Year, Coloradans Pay Homage to a Frozen Dead Guy

No, really, we do, and it's an entirely normal thing. Right? The backstory is just as interesting as the spectacle of it all, and you can read more about it here.

9. It's Against the Law to Pick a Colorado State Flower

FYI: the Colorado State Flower is the columbine, and you must have permission from the landowner to pick one! (Picking columbines on public land is strictly prohibited.)

10. Move over, Florida, Because Colorado Is the REAL Sunshine State

We may not have beaches or Disney princesses, but we do have an average of 300 days of sunshine each year. That makes Colorado one of the sunniest states!

11. Colorado Is Home to 1,500 Ghost Towns

These towns, many of which served as mining camps, vastly outnumber the 271 municipalities that are still alive and well. Here are our favorite ghost towns across the U.S.

12. 40% of Colorado Is Made Up of Plains

According to Colorado Climate Center, about 40% of the state consists of plains. The diverse topography of the land makes it the perfect place to explore nature.

13. Weld County Gets More Tornadoes Than Any Other County in America

The movie Twisters was set in Oklahoma, but they should have considered Colorado. The topography that makes Colorado a beautiful place to live also makes it the perfect place for extreme weather. The Centennial State is one of the top 10 states for tornadoes, with Weld County experiencing these atmospheric storms more than anywhere else in the country.

14. Colorado Boasts the Longest Street in America

Colfax Avenue, once called the "longest, wickedest street in America," is an incredible 50 miles long! It was originally know as the "Golden Road," but eventually renamed after Schuyler Colfax, the 17th Vice President of the U.S.

Love exploring Colorado? Add your favorite spots and wishlist activities to your next trip using the OIYS itinerary planner.