Personal Challenge 2018 - Week 38

This is the 38th week of my personal 50-week States of the Union Challenge. Each week I research one of the 50 United States (in the order they attained statehood). I share tidbits of information about the state here on my blog and I create a card that is inspired by something about that state.

This week's state (the 38th one to attain statehood) is...

Colorado

Date of Statehood: August 1, 1876

When most people think of Colorado, they think of mountains, mountains, and more mountains. And to some extent, this is accurate. But a lot of people don’t realize that Colorado also has deserts, plains, and lots of sunshine. 

Colorado contains 75% of the land area in the continental United States that rises above 10,000 feet.

Peaks that rise above 14,000 feet are referred to as fourteeners by locals. Colorado has 52 of them.

Due to its high elevation, Colorado is home to some of the world’s most popular ski resorts. Also, the snow season can easily run for nearly the entire year.

In spite of being incredibly mountainous, Colorado boasts an average of 300 sunny days per year, a point of pride among natives.

The lowest point in Colorado is at 3,317 feet. This is higher than the highest points in 18 states.

Denver has the largest city park system in the nation with 205 parks in City limits and 20,000 Acres of parks in the nearby mountains.

The highest suspension bridge in the country can be found in Canon City Colorado, above the Royal Gorge. Its height is 955 feet.

Colorado has almost as many dead towns (about 500) as live ones (650). Mining booms and busts left the mountains littered with more than 300 ghost towns that fascinate locals and tourists. The eastern plains and western canyon lands are also haunted by more than 200 ghost towns.

The highest paved road in North America is the road to the summit of Mount Evans at 14,258 feet.

The world's largest flat-top mountain is Grand Mesa found in Western Colorado.

A 5.39-carats diamond was found at Kelsey Lake mine in Colorado. It is t he 5th largest diamond ever found in the United States. It sold for $87,000.

The tallest sand dunes in the country can be found at the Great Sand Dunes National Park, with the StarDune reaching the highest height at over 750 feet.

Known as the Four Corners, the southwest edge of Colorado is the only point in the US where four states meet.

The first Chipotle Mexican Grill opened in Denver Colorado in 1993.

Colorado is the only state to have turned down the Olympics. In 1976, residents voted against hosting the Winter Olympics due to the cost and pollution that would result.

The highest ski lift in North America can be found at Breckenridge Ski Resort, dropping skiers off at a very high 13,000 feet.

Bishop Castle near Pueblo is the largest self-built castle in the country, and it's open for tours.

Leadville Colorado is the highest incorporated city in the US at 10,430 feet.

Katherine Lee Bates was inspired to write the song “America the Beautiful” after seeing the view from Pikes Peak.

The term "cheeseburger" was originally trademarked by Louis Ballast of Denver's Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in 1935.

The first Teddy Bear was invented when the maids at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs crafted it to give to a very famous visitor - Theodore Roosevelt. 

Frank J. Wisner invented a treat once called "the Black Cow" in Colorado in 1893. It's now known as the root beer float.

The 13th step of the state capitol building (in Denver) is exactly 1 mile above sea level.

The first license plate on a car in the United States was issued in Denver, Colorado in 1908.

No President or Vice-President has ever been born in Colorado.

In Colorado it is illegal to ride a horse while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Car dealers may not show cars on Sundays.

It is against the law to throw snowballs at people or buildings in Aspen Colorado.

In Vail Colorado, it's illegal to hit obstacles while on skis or a snowboard, making most accidents a crime.

Couches may not be placed on outdoor porches in Boulder Colorado.

It's against the law for a man to kiss a sleeping woman in Logan County Colorado.

It's illegal to let a dandelion grow inside the city limits of Pueblo Colorado.

It's against the law to pick Colorado's state flower, the Colorado Blue Columbine, on public land or without prior consent of a private landowner.

Residents of Louisville Colorado may not own chickens, but they can own up to three turkeys.

Also illegal is herding pigs in public in Boulder Colorado.

It is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your neighbor in Denver Colorado.

Throwing missiles at cars is agains the law in Alamosa Colorado.

I decided to go with this bit of Colorado information for my card's inspiration... The World's first rodeo was held on July 4, 1869 in Deer Trail Colorado.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Set: There She Goes Giddy Up stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers

Papers: Recollections 110# Red and 110# White and SU Night of Navy CS and DP from the Paper Studio Yee Haw Paper Pad

Embellishments: Star Brads from unknown vendors