Colorado Celebrates

We are very fortunate to live and work in a great state! I was born and raised in Colorado and I can’t picture myself living anywhere else.  As Colorado celebrates its entry into the Union on August 1, I thought I would share some Colorado history with you so you can celebrate as well.

Colorado was first visited by Spanish explorers in the 1500s.  The origin of the states name, Colorado, comes from the Spanish, “ruddy” or “red”.  They might have called it that because of all the “red” soil that can be  seen throughout our state.

The United States obtained eastern Colorado as a part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, then in 1845 the central portion was admitted with Texas.  The western part was obtained in 1848 as a result of the Mexican War.  But Colorado didn’t become a state until August 1, 1876 when it became the 38th state to join the Union.

In 1890 the first governor, John L. Routt, was elected and on July 4, the cornerstone of the State Capitol in Denver was laid.  The population of the state at that time was 413,249.

In 1908 on August 1, Colorado Day is celebrated for the first time, marking the thirty-second anniversary of Colorado’s admittance to the Union.  The Dome of the State Capitol was plated with gold leaf at a cost of $14,680.

In 1920 our population had grown to 939,629 and a year later the state began building concrete highways on its main routes.  From 1945-1950 military installations and scientific institutions continue to develop and many veterans relocated to Colorado.  These changes brought a steady increase in the population.

During the 1950’s and 60’s, the tourist and ski industries blossomed. Maybe because Colorado has the highest average elevation of any state and more than 1,000 peaks over 10,000 ft. high and 54 above 14,000 ft.  Our mountains are beautiful!   In 1960 Colorado got the Denver Broncos professional football team. And you football fans know that the Broncos later won two Super Bowls.

In the 1970’s and 80’s we had tremendous growth in Denver suburbs and with that growth came traffic problems and the “brown cloud”.  Coloradans became concerned over the consequences of pollution and “overselling” Colorado.  During the 1980’s and 1990’s there was major growth of technological industries and the population continued to increase.

Colorado once was primarily a mining and agricultural state, now our economy is driven by the service industries, and other business and professional services, which we here at Express Care, are proud to be a part of.  As Colorado celebrates being a part of these United States, we celebrate being able to serve our community in this great State we call home!

For all of your Denver Auto Repair needs, trust Express Car Care. Call (303) 691-2760 or stop by our shop today.