Colorado State Fun Facts:
The great state of Colorado is known as the "Centennial State". The capital of Colorado is Denver, CO. The state bird is the Lark Bunting. The Colorado state flower is the Rocky Mountain Columbine. Last season Colorado drew 11.6 million skiers to its 24 resorts, 2,062 trails and 296 lifts making it a downhiller’s paradise. But recreation in the Centennial state is not all about snowy white powder. Colorado loves football. John Elway was the top pick in the 1983 draft and quickly put up Hall of Fame numbers, but his career wasn't complete until Jan. 25, 1998, when the Broncos beat the Packers 31-24 to win Super Bowl XXXII. After losing in its first four appearances, Denver would go on to defend its title in Super Bowl XXXIII, allowing Elway to retire in a blaze of glory. Colorado is the home state to such great athletes as Jack Dempsey, Byron "Wizzer" White, Amy Van Dyken, Hale Irwin, Pat Day and Rich "Goose" Gossage. Colorado's major sports teams include the Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and the Denver Nuggets. Major college programs include the Air Force Academy Falcons, Colorado Buffaloes, Colorado State Rams and the Denver Pioneers. Colorado’s biggest rivalries are Colorado vs. Colorado State, Bronco's vs. Raiders and Avalanche vs. Red Wings. The states major cities include Aurora, CO, Denver, CO, Boulder, CO, Fort Collins, CO and Lakewood, CO. The Colorado economy can be divided into two primary categories: Agriculture -- Cattle, wheat, dairy products, corn and hay. Industry -- Scientific instruments, food processing, transportation equipment, machinery, chemical products, warehousing, tourism, gold and other mining. *Source: Sports Illustrated.