Colorado carries more than one nickname, and each one points to a different part of the state’s identity, its history, its scenery, or its elevation. Here’s where the state’s name and its nicknames actually came from, plus a few nicknames tied to individual cities and the people who live there.
Where The Name Colorado Comes From
Before getting into the nicknames, it helps to know where the name Colorado itself came from. It’s a Spanish word meaning colored red, chosen for the Colorado Territory in 1861 because of the reddish tint in the soil and rock along the Colorado River. That original name set the tone for a lot of what followed, since so many of the state’s later nicknames also lean on its natural scenery and color.
The Centennial State
This is Colorado’s official and most recognized nickname. Colorado became the 38th state on August 1, 1876, just weeks after the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which is where centennial comes from. Newspapers in the Colorado Territory were already using the phrase before statehood was even official, suggesting locals saw the timing coming and started embracing the nickname early. It has remained popular ever since, appearing on everything from license plates to the state’s 2006 commemorative quarter.
Colorful Colorado
For years, this phrase served as Colorado’s official state slogan, and it still shows up constantly on road signs, license plates, and tourist materials today. The name points to the state’s dramatic natural scenery, green forests in summer, golden aspens in fall, and snow capped peaks in winter, all within the same state. Two of the most photographed road signs in Colorado, marking the Kansas and Utah borders, read Leaving Colorful Colorado, and they’ve become a genuine tradition for road trippers passing through.
The Highest State
Colorado holds a real geographic distinction here. It’s home to 58 mountain peaks that rise above 14,000 feet in elevation, more than any other state in the country. That combination of height and sheer number of tall peaks earned Colorado this nickname, tying directly into its identity as one of the most mountainous states in the nation.
The Columbine State
This nickname comes from Colorado’s official state flower, the Rocky Mountain Columbine, a light purple and white flower adopted in 1899. People often describe the flower as a symbol of spirit. The nickname appears less often today than Centennial State or Colorful Colorado, but you can still find it in historical references and older materials about the state.
Older Nicknames For Coloradans
Long before Centennial became Colorado’s go to nickname, people linked the state’s nicknames to its rich mining history. Silverines referenced the state’s once massive silver mining industry, while Rovers described the wave of settlers who arrived during Colorado’s gold rush era, when Pikes Peak or Bust became a popular slogan for those heading west in search of fortune. Today, Coloradans is the standard term, though Centennials occasionally shows up as a nod to the state’s official nickname.
Nicknames For Colorado’s Cities
A few of Colorado’s individual cities carry their own well known nicknames. Denver, the state capital, is famously known as the Mile High City because its official elevation is exactly one mile above sea level. A marked step inside the state capitol building commemorates the elevation. Colorado Springs is known as Olympic City USA. It hosts the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center and the headquarters of numerous national sports governing bodies. These city level nicknames add another layer to Colorado’s overall identity beyond the state nicknames themselves.
A Quick Reference
| Nickname | Meaning |
|---|---|
| The Centennial State | Colorado became a state 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed |
| Colorful Colorado | Refers to the state’s dramatic, colorful natural scenery |
| The Highest State | Colorado has more peaks above 14,000 feet than any other state |
| The Columbine State | Named after the state’s official flower, the Rocky Mountain Columbine |
| Silverines | An older nickname for residents, tied to the state’s silver mining history |
| Rovers | An older nickname for settlers who arrived during Colorado’s gold rush era |
| Mile High City | Denver’s nickname, based on its exact one mile elevation |
| Olympic City USA | Colorado Springs’s nickname, home to the US Olympic Training Center |
Why These Nicknames Still Matter
Colorado’s nicknames work together to tell a fuller story than any single one could on its own. The Centennial State points to a specific moment in history, Colorful Colorado and The Highest State point to its geography, and older nicknames like Silverines and Rovers capture a mining and settlement era that shaped the state’s early identity. Even the city level nicknames, like Denver’s Mile High City, add specific, memorable details that stick with people long after they’ve left the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colorado’s official nickname?
The Centennial State is Colorado’s official and most widely recognized nickname. It refers to Colorado joining the Union in 1876, exactly 100 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Why is Colorado called Colorful Colorado?
The nickname refers to the state’s dramatic natural scenery, including its mountains, forests, and seasonal color changes, and it served as the state’s official slogan for years.
Why is Colorado called the Highest State?
Colorado has 58 mountain peaks above 14,000 feet in elevation, more than any other US state, which earned it this nickname.
Where does the name Colorado come from?
Colorado is a Spanish word meaning colored red, originally chosen for the reddish tint of the soil and rock along the Colorado River.
Why is Denver called the Mile High City?
Denver’s official elevation is exactly one mile above sea level, a fact marked by a special step on the Colorado State Capitol building.
What were Coloradans called before Centennials became common?
People historically called Coloradans Silverines, a name linked to the state’s silver mining industry, and Rovers, a name linked to settlers who arrived during the gold rush era.
Final Thoughts
Colorado’s nicknames capture a state defined by both its history and its landscape.The Centennial State refers to a specific moment in the nation’s founding, while Colorful Colorado and The Highest State highlight the mountains and scenery that define the state today. Together with older nicknames for its residents and newer ones tied to individual cities, they paint a much fuller picture of Colorado’s identity than any single name could on its own.
