Map of Colorado – Cities, Geography, Counties & Stats (2024)

Map of Colorado

Colorado, one of the 50 states in the U.S., is a landlocked state located in the heart of the country.

Named after the Colorado River, it is unique in that its borders are formed entirely by straight lines of latitude and longitude, a distinction it shares with Wyoming and Utah.

The state is bordered by Wyoming and Nebraska to the north, Kansas to the east, Oklahoma and New Mexico to the south, and Utah to the west.

Part of Colorado’s territory was acquired through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, while the rest was ceded by Mexico in 1848.

On August 1, 1876, Colorado became the 38th state to join the Union.

Colorado State Map and Satelite View


A landlocked state in the Western U.S., is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Southern Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Plains.

It covers 104,185 square miles, making it the 8th largest state, and had a population of about 5.91 million as of 2024.

Colorado’s capital and largest city is Denver, and residents are called Coloradans.

Historically inhabited by Native Americans for over 13,500 years, the area became part of the U.S. through the Louisiana Purchase (1803) and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848).

The Pike’s Peak Gold Rush (1858โ€“1862) spurred settlement, and it became the 38th state in 1876.

Today, the state’s economy relies on government, mining, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, while climate change poses challenges to key sectors like agriculture and forestry.

Geography Map

Geography Map of Colorado
Source: freeworldmaps.net, The mountainous area of Colorado is six times the size of Switzerland

Colorado features a diverse landscape that includes alpine mountains, high plains, vast deserts with dunes, and deep canyons.

Established as a territory in 1861, its borders are uniquely defined by straight lines of latitude and longitude, stretching from 37ยฐN to 41ยฐN and 102ยฐ02โ€ฒ48โ€ณW to 109ยฐ02โ€ฒ48โ€ณW.

The Four Corners Monument in the southwest marks the only point in the U.S. where four states meetโ€”Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.

Plains


The Eastern Plains of Colorado, part of the High Plains, make up nearly half the state.

Elevations range from 3,350 to 7,500 feet, with prairies, canyons, and forests characterizing the terrain.

This semi-arid region receives 15โ€“25 inches of annual precipitation and is primarily farmland, producing crops like corn, wheat, and hay.

Livestock farming, especially cattle and hogs, is significant, though heavy irrigation has led to declining underground water reserves.

Front Range


The Front Range Urban Corridor, located along the eastern Rockies, is home to about 70% of Coloradoโ€™s population.

Cities such as Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo anchor this region, which benefits from the Rockies’ protection against Pacific storms.

The Front Range is Colorado’s economic and cultural hub, while western cities like Grand Junction and Durango form population centers on the stateโ€™s Western Slope.

Mountains

Cliffs and Golden Aspen Trees with Colorado's Rocky Mountains in The Background
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, Over 280 bird species inhabit the Rocky Mountain Region

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains rise west of the Great Plains, with notable peaks such as Mount Elbert (14,440 feet) and Pikes Peak.

The state boasts 58 fourteeners (peaks over 14,000 feet), the most in North America, and a diverse landscape of alpine vegetation and coniferous forests up to the tree line.

This region is a crucial water source, with snowmelt feeding rivers like the Mississippiย and Rio Grande.

Highest and Lowest Points

Mount Elbert, at 14,440 feet, is the highest point in Colorado and the Rocky Mountains of North America.

The stateโ€™s lowest point, where the Arikaree River flows into Kansas, is at 3,317 feetโ€”higher than the highest points of 18 U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

Remarkably, all of Colorado lies above 1,000 meters in elevation, the only state with this distinction.

Continental Divide

Rocky Peaks and Patches of Snow Along the Colorado Continental Divide
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, The Great Divide spans mountains across the Americas

The Continental Divide of the Americas runs along the crest of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, separating watersheds that flow to the Pacific Ocean from those draining into the Gulf of Mexico.

Grays Peak, at 14,278 feet, is the highest point on the Divide in North America.

To the west lies Coloradoโ€™s Western Slope, where rivers like the Colorado and Green Rivers flow southwest toward the Gulf of California.

Within the Rockies, several high basins known as “parks” are prominent:

  • North Park lies east of the Divide and is drained by the North Platte River, which flows into Wyoming and Nebraska.
  • Middle Park, west of the Divide, is drained by the Colorado River.
  • South Park, situated along the South Platte Riverโ€™s headwaters, contributes to Coloradoโ€™s distinct regional topography.

South Central Region

Autumn Hills and Scattered Trees in South Central Colorado
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, America’s tallest sand dunes are in Great Sand Dunes National Park

The San Luis Valley, located in south-central Colorado, is a high desert basin surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the San Juan Mountains to the west.

It is the source of the Rio Grande, which flows southward into New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico.

The valley contains the San Luis Closed Basin, an endorheic basin that created the iconic Great Sand Dunes.

To the east lies the Wet Mountain Valley, with the entire region situated along the Rio Grande Rift, a significant geological formation.

Western Slope

The Western Slope encompasses Colorado’s western Rocky Mountain slopes and stretches to the state’s western border.

It features diverse terrains, including alpine forests, arid deserts, and deep canyons.

Notable attractions include the Colorado National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, and ski resorts such as Aspen, Vail, and Telluride.


This less populous region is also home to Grand Junction, its largest city, located at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers.

The Colorado River and its tributaries, including the Gunnison and San Juan Rivers, dominate the area, flowing through iconic landscapes like Glenwood Canyon and the Grand Valley.

Other highlights include the Grand Mesa, the rugged San Juan Mountains, and portions of the Colorado Plateau.

The Western Slope also hosts several institutions of higher education, including Colorado Mesa University and Western Colorado University.

Rivers and Lakes

Major Rivers

Colorado River

Aerial View of The Colorado River
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, The Colorado River is one of the hardest working rivers in the Western US
  • Length: 1,450 miles (total), about 240 miles in Colorado.
  • Origin: Rocky Mountain National Park.
  • Flow: Southwest through the state into Utah, carving iconic canyons like Glenwood Canyon.
  • Significance: Supplies water to seven U.S. states and Mexico.

Rio Grande

  • Length: 1,896 miles (total), about 175 miles in Colorado.
  • Origin: San Luis Valley.
  • Flow: Southward into New Mexico and Texas.
  • Significance: Supports agriculture and drinking water in three states and Mexico.

Arkansas River

The Arkansas River Flows Through a Rocky Forested Valley in Colorado
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, The river is 1,460 miles long and flows across three states
  • Length: 1,469 miles (total), about 300 miles in Colorado.
  • Origin: Near Leadville in the Sawatch Range.
  • Flow: Southeast through Pueblo and into Kansas.
  • Significance: Popular for rafting and irrigation.

South Platte River

The South Platte River Surrounded by Pine Trees and Rocky Shores in Colorado
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, The South Platte River has 20 dams for water and irrigation in Colorado
  • Length: 439 miles in Colorado (total 900 miles).
  • Origin: the Rocky Mountains near Fairplay.
  • Flow: Northeast through Denver into Nebraska.
  • Significance: Key water source for Denver and surrounding areas.

Gunnison River

  • Length: 164 miles in Colorado.
  • Origin: Confluence of East and Taylor Rivers near Almont.
  • Flow: Southwest to join the Colorado River.
  • Significance: Known for carving the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Yampa River

The Yampa River Flows Through a Grassy Valley with Distant Mountains in Colorado
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, The Yampa River is born among the peaks of the Rocky Mountains
  • Length: 250 miles in Colorado.
  • Origin: Flows from the Flat Tops near Steamboat Springs.
  • Flow: Joins the Green River in Utah.
  • Significance: Important for recreation and wildlife in northwestern Colorado.

Major Lakes and Reservoirs

Grand Lake

  • Size: 507 acres; 265 feet deep.
  • Location: Near Rocky Mountain National Park.
  • Significance: Largest natural lake in Colorado, scenic for fishing and boating.

Blue Mesa Reservoir

  • Size: 9,180 acres; 20 miles long.
  • Location: Gunnison River, Curecanti National Recreation Area.
  • Significance: Largest reservoir in Colorado, popular for fishing and boating.

Horsetooth Reservoir

  • Size: 1,900 acres; 6.5 miles long.
  • Location: Near Fort Collins.
  • Significance: Recreational hotspot for water sports and hiking.

Lake Dillon (Dillon Reservoir)

  • Size: 3,233 acres; 79 miles of shoreline.
  • Location: Near Breckenridge and Keystone.
  • Significance: Supplies water to Denver; surrounded by mountain views.

Pueblo Reservoir

  • Size: 4,500 acres; 60 miles of shoreline.
  • Location: Arkansas River near Pueblo.
  • Significance: Key for irrigation and recreation in southeastern Colorado.

Climate of Colorado

Coloradoโ€™s climate is highly diverse, shaped by its mountains, high plains, and deserts, with significant local variations due to elevation.

The Eastern Plains experience a semi-arid climate with hot summers, cool nights, and cold, dry winters, while the Front Range benefits from Chinook winds that bring warmer winters.

The Western Slope features a mix of alpine and arid climates, with more moisture at higher elevations.

Extreme weather includes hailstorms, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires, driven by the stateโ€™s dry climate and frequent droughts.

Climate records show a highest temperature of 115ยฐF (46.1ยฐC) in 2019 and a lowest of -61ยฐF (-51.7ยฐC) in 1985.

Climate change is increasing the frequency of wildfires, droughts, and reduced water flow in rivers, affecting agriculture, forestry, and water availability.

Average Monthly Temperatures in Major Colorado Cities

City Jan (ยฐF) Apr (ยฐF) Jul (ยฐF) Oct (ยฐF)
Alamosa 34/-2 59/24 82/47 62/25
Colorado Springs 43/18 60/33 85/57 63/36
Denver 49/20 64/35 92/61 68/37
Grand Junction 38/17 65/38 93/63 66/40
Pueblo 47/14 67/34 93/59 69/34

Population Heat Map

The population of Colorado was estimated at 5,914,180 in 2024, based on the most recent Census projections.

The last official count during the 2010 Census recorded 5,029,196 residents, reflecting a 16.9% increase from 2000’s population of 4,301,262.

By 2015, the stateโ€™s population had grown to 5,456,574, marking an 8.5% rise since 2010.

With a yearly growth rate of 1.85% in 2016, Colorado became the second-fastest-growing state in the U.S.

Denver, Coloradoโ€™s largest city and capital, is home to over 700,000 residents.

Despite its size, the stateโ€™s rugged terrain, including the Rocky Mountains, limits population density to approximately 52 people per square mile (19.9 per square kilometer), ranking Colorado 37th in population density among U.S. states.

The stateโ€™s median age is 36.4 years, with the population divided nearly equally by gender (49.8% female and 50.1% male).

Religious affiliation in Colorado is as follows: 64% Christian, 5% non-Christian religions, and 29% unaffiliated.

Part of Colorado was acquired during the Louisiana Purchase (1803), but the area lacked organized government until 1850.

Colorado became a territory in 1861, drawing land from Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Utah territories, and achieved statehood on August 1, 1876.

The first census covering Coloradoโ€™s current boundaries was conducted in 1860.

Demographics and Racial Composition

According to the most recent data, Coloradoโ€™s racial composition is shown in the table below:

Colorado's Racial Composition Chart
Colorado’s racial composition

Approximately 10% of Colorado’s population consists of immigrants, who contribute over 11% of the workforce.

Latinos make up a significant portion of the stateโ€™s demographics, especially in cities like Colorado Springs, Metro Denver, Pueblo, and Greeley.

Colorado has the fifth-largest Mexican-American population in the U.S., with 34.9% of Latinos under the age of 18, surpassing other racial groups in this age bracket.

Largest Cities in Colorado

Rank City Population 2023 Population 2022 Population Density (per sq. mile) Area (sq. miles) Growth Rate Type
1 Denver 716,234 713,453 4,679 153.1 -0.05% City
2 Colorado Springs 491,441 486,304 2,434 201.9 0.57% City
3 Aurora 397,811 393,794 2,440 163.0 0.70% City
4 Fort Collins 170,507 170,114 2,979 57.2 0.08% City
5 Lakewood 155,865 156,001 3,587 43.5 -0.06% City
6 Thornton 145,834 143,247 3,995 36.5 0.63% City
7 Arvada 120,437 121,430 3,090 39.0 -0.80% City
8 Westminster 114,302 114,771 3,615 31.6 -0.50% City
9 Greeley 113,721 109,245 2,300 49.4 0.99% City
10 Pueblo 110,803 111,418 1,961 56.5 -0.25% City

WPR notes that the most populous city, Denver, has a population of 716,234, though its growth rate has slightly declined.

Colorado Springs and Aurora are the second and third largest cities, with consistent growth rates of 0.57% and 0.70%, respectively.

Other cities like Greeley and Thornton are also experiencing steady growth, while cities like Arvada and Westminster show small declines in population.

Counties in Colorado

County Population Growth Rate Area (sq. miles) Density (per sq. mile)
El Paso 747,834 2.11% 821 352
Denver 719,701 0.29% 59 4,704
Arapahoe 655,853 0.09% 308 822
Jefferson 576,921 -1.06% 295 755
Adams 539,221 3.6% 450 462
Douglas 391,875 8.76% 325 466
Larimer 373,965 3.9% 1,000 144
Weld 368,618 11.21% 1,500 93
Boulder 326,323 -1.39% 280 449
Pueblo 169,372 0.61% 921 71
Mesa 160,831 3.09% 1,300 48
Broomfield 77,525 4.07% 13 2,349
Garfield 63,158 2.21% 1,100 21
La Plata 56,261 1.06% 652 33
Eagle 53,544 -3.8% 650 32
Fremont 51,020 4.38% 592 33
Montrose 44,505 3.94% 865 20
Delta 31,932 2.82% 441 28
Summit 30,294 -2.28% 235 50
Morgan 29,782 2.43% 494 23
Elbert 29,770 13.56% 714 16
Montezuma 26,595 2.73% 783 13
Routt 25,056 0.9% 912 11
Teller 24,374 -1.5% 215 44
Chaffee 20,969 7.62% 391 21
Logan 20,446 -3.6% 710 11
Park 18,313 5.14% 847 8
Otero 17,961 -3.77% 487 14
Gunnison 17,322 2.19% 1,300 5
Alamosa 16,723 2.11% 279 23
Pitkin 16,433 -5.31% 375 17
Grand 16,136 2.47% 713 9
Archuleta 14,389 7.19% 521 11
Las Animas 14,385 -0.72% 1,800 3
Moffat 13,449 1.36% 1,800 3
Prowers 11,629 -3.23% 632 7
Rio Grande 11,039 -4.35% 352 12
Yuma 9,829 -1.42% 913 4
Clear Creek 8,927 -4.96% 152 23
San Miguel 7,728 -4.05% 497 6
Conejos 7,455 0.05% 497 6
Lake 7,384 -0.32% 146 20
Huerfano 7,013 2.72% 614 4
Kit Carson 7,005 -0.81% 834 3
Saguache 6,749 5.63% 1,200 2
Rio Blanco 6,589 1.06% 1,200 2
Gilpin 5,966 2.51% 58 40
Bent 5,923 8.22% 584 4
Custer 5,731 21.34% 285 8
Crowley 5,645 -0.76% 304 7
Lincoln 5,450 -3.74% 1,000 2
Ouray 5,249 7.52% 209 10
Washington 4,863 1.04% 972 2
Phillips 4,504 -0.51% 266 7
Costilla 3,641 3.97% 474 3
Baca 3,253 -6.52% 986 1
Dolores 2,566 10.08% 412 2
Sedgwick 2,312 -3.22% 212 4
Cheyenne 1,723 -1.32% 686 1
Kiowa 1,334 -8.32% 682 1
Jackson 1,304 -5.44% 623 1
Mineral 957 9.5% 338 1
San Juan 798 12.24% 150 2
Hinsdale 759 -3.68% 431 1

Colorado’s most populous county in 2019 is Denver County, with a population of 704,621, reflecting a 16.81% growth since 2010 as per World Population Review notes.

Other counties with over 500,000 residents include El Paso, Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Adams, all showing significant growth.

San Juan County is the smallest, with just 715 people, and 26 counties in the state have populations under 10,000.

Broomfield County experienced the highest growth at 21.57%, while Kit Carson County had the steepest decline at -13.38%.

Major Airports


Airport Name Location IATA Code
Denver International Airport Denver DEN
Colorado Springs Airport Colorado Springs COS
Grand Junction Regional Airport Grand Junction GJT
Eagle County Regional Airport Eagle/Vail EGE
Pueblo Memorial Airport Pueblo PUB
Montrose Regional Airport Montrose MTJ
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Aspen ASE
Durango-La Plata County Airport Durango DRO
Steamboat Springs Airport Steamboat Springs HDN
Vail/Eagle County Airport Vail EGE

Crime Map of Colorado

Crime Map of Colorado
Source: neighborhoodscout.com, The violent crime risk in Colorado is 1 in 203

Coloradoโ€™s crime rates are categorized into two main types: violent crime and property crime.

In 2023, there were a total of 212,575 reported crimes in Colorado, with 28,759 violent crimes and 183,816 property crimes according to Neighborhood Scout.

The overall crime rate in Colorado is 36.40 per 1,000 residents, with violent crime at 4.92 per 1,000 residents and property crime at 31.48 per 1,000 residents.

The chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Colorado are 1 in 203, while the likelihood of being a victim of a property crime is 1 in 32.

Crime Breakdown in Colorado and the United States

Crime Breakdown in Colorado and The United States Chart
Crime breakdown in Colorado and the United States

Violent Crime Breakdown in Colorado

Crime Type Colorado Total Rate per 1,000 residents United States Total Rate per 1,000 residents
Murder 375 0.06 21,156 0.06
Rape 3,700 0.63 133,294 0.40
Robbery 4,241 0.73 220,450 0.66
Assault 20,443 3.50 893,980 2.68