Where is Colorado Located in the United States?

Colorado, located in the western United States, is known for its diverse geography, which ranges from the towering Rocky Mountains to the vast eastern plains. The state is landlocked and shares borders with seven other U.S. states. Colorado’s landscape is marked by stunning peaks, rivers, and forests, making it a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Colorado’s state facts include: state name: Colorado, postal abbreviation: CO, population: approximately 5.85 million (2024 estimate), area: 104,094 square miles, capital: Denver, largest city: Denver, year of statehood: 1876, time zones: Mountain Time Zone.

Bordering States

Wyoming

To the north, Colorado shares a border with Wyoming, which stretches for approximately 280 miles. The two states share similar geographical features, including parts of the Rocky Mountains and the high plains. The border is largely defined by rolling plains in the east and mountain ranges in the west. Wyoming, known for its vast open spaces and sparse population, has close economic ties to Colorado, particularly in terms of agriculture and energy production. Key cities near the border include Cheyenne in Wyoming and Fort Collins in Colorado, both of which serve as important economic and transportation hubs.

Nebraska

Nebraska lies to the northeast of Colorado, with a shared border of about 300 miles. The border is primarily characterized by flat plains and agricultural lands, which extend into Colorado’s northeastern region. The climate and terrain in this area are ideal for farming, particularly for crops like wheat, corn, and soybeans. Nebraska’s Panhandle region connects with Colorado’s plains, with towns like Sidney, NE and Sterling, CO marking important waypoints for travelers and commerce between the two states.

Kansas

Colorado’s eastern border with Kansas runs for about 370 miles and is dominated by the Great Plains, a flat, fertile region that supports significant agricultural activity in both states. The border between Colorado and Kansas is largely rural, with small towns and farming communities dotting the landscape. Major highways, like Interstate 70, connect the two states, facilitating trade and travel. The cities of Burlington, CO, and Goodland, KS, lie near this border, serving as key stops for travelers and offering a glimpse into the agricultural economy that thrives in the region.

Oklahoma

To the southeast, Colorado shares a relatively short border with Oklahoma, about 166 miles long. This border region is characterized by rolling plains and a semi-arid climate, with much of the land used for ranching and agriculture. The Oklahoma Panhandle extends into this part of Colorado, creating a narrow strip of land that connects the two states. Towns like Boise City, OK and Springfield, CO are important local centers near the border, with ranching being a primary economic activity in the region.

New Mexico

Colorado’s southern border with New Mexico extends for about 350 miles and is marked by diverse geographical features, from the high plains in the east to the rugged Rocky Mountains in the west. This border region is home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in both states, including the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Towns like Trinidad, CO, and Raton, NM, are key population centers near the border. The region is known for its outdoor recreation, particularly skiing, hiking, and camping, as well as its rich cultural history influenced by both Native American and Spanish heritage.

Arizona (Four Corners)

Although Colorado and Arizona do not share a long border, they meet at the Four Corners, a unique point where Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah all converge. This is the only point in the United States where four states meet. The Four Corners Monument is a popular tourist destination where visitors can stand in four states simultaneously.

Utah

Colorado’s western border with Utah stretches for about 280 miles, marked by a dramatic shift in landscape from the mountains of Colorado to the deserts and red rock canyons of Utah. This region is known for its unique geological formations, with areas like Dinosaur National Monument and Colorado National Monument attracting visitors. The city of Grand Junction, CO, lies near the Utah border and serves as a gateway to the western slope of the Rockies, as well as the desert landscapes of eastern Utah.

GPS Coordinates of Colorado

Colorado is located between the latitudes of 36.9931° N to 41.0034° N and the longitudes of 102.0416° W to 109.0452° W, positioning the state in the heart of the American West. Colorado is unique in that it is one of only three U.S. states with no natural borders, meaning its boundaries are defined entirely by straight lines of latitude and longitude, making it nearly rectangular in shape.

The state’s central GPS coordinates are near 39.5501° N, 105.7821° W, which is close to the city of Denver, Colorado’s capital and largest city. Denver is located on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, offering access to both the mountainous regions and the plains that stretch across the eastern part of the state.

These coordinates place Colorado in the Mountain Time Zone, which is used throughout the entire state. Colorado’s location makes it a major hub for transportation and trade in the western U.S., with the Interstate 70 corridor being a critical east-west route through the Rocky Mountains.

Levels of Elevation in Colorado

Colorado is known for having some of the highest elevations in the United States, with a diverse range of landscapes that include mountains, plains, valleys, and plateaus. The highest point in Colorado, and the entire Rocky Mountain range, is Mount Elbert, which rises to 14,440 feet (4,401 meters) above sea level. Located in the central Colorado Rockies near Leadville, Mount Elbert is part of the Sawatch Range and is a popular destination for climbers and hikers.

Colorado is home to 58 peaks that rise above 14,000 feet, known as “fourteeners,” making it a premier location for mountaineering enthusiasts. The Front Range, which includes prominent peaks like Pikes Peak and Longs Peak, towers over the plains to the east and serves as a major geographical feature near Denver and Colorado Springs.

The lowest point in Colorado is located along the Arikaree River in the extreme eastern part of the state, near the Kansas border, at an elevation of 3,317 feet (1,011 meters). Despite being the lowest point, this elevation is still higher than the highest points in several U.S. states, reflecting Colorado’s overall high altitude.

The variation in elevation across the state leads to a wide range of ecosystems and climates. The higher elevations, especially in the Rockies, experience alpine conditions, with cold temperatures and significant snowfall, while the eastern plains are characterized by a more temperate climate with hot summers and cold winters.

Most Extreme Points of Colorado

Colorado’s geographical extremities highlight the diversity of its terrain and the state’s unique location in the U.S.

• Easternmost point: Colorado’s easternmost point is located near the town of St. Francis, Kansas, along the Kansas-Colorado border. This area is part of the Great Plains, characterized by flat, open grasslands used primarily for agriculture, especially wheat and corn farming.
• Westernmost point: The westernmost point of Colorado lies near Dinosaur National Monument, along the border with Utah. This region is known for its rugged canyons, rock formations, and significant paleontological discoveries. The area is sparsely populated but rich in natural beauty, with the Yampa River flowing nearby.
• Southernmost point: The southernmost point in Colorado is near the town of Branson, along the New Mexico border. This area is part of the Raton Basin, a region of rolling hills and mesas that transitions into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the west. It is a remote area with ranching being a major industry.
• Northernmost point: Colorado’s northernmost point is located near Carpenter, Wyoming, just north of the city of Fort Collins, Colorado. This area marks the transition from the Rocky Mountain foothills to the flat expanses of the High Plains, with agriculture and ranching being the dominant industries in the region.

Major Mountains in Colorado

Colorado is famous for its majestic mountain ranges, particularly the Rocky Mountains, which dominate much of the state’s landscape.

• The Rocky Mountains: Colorado is home to the highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains, which stretch from Canada through the western United States. The Colorado Rockies are divided into several subranges, including the Front Range, Sawatch Range, San Juan Mountains, and Elk Mountains.
• Mount Elbert: As the tallest peak in Colorado and the second-highest peak in the contiguous United States, Mount Elbert stands at 14,440 feet. It is located in the Sawatch Range and is a popular destination for climbers, offering relatively moderate hiking trails despite its towering height.
• Pikes Peak: Perhaps one of the most famous mountains in the United States, Pikes Peak rises to 14,115 feet and is located near Colorado Springs. It is known for its scenic Pikes Peak Highway and the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race. The summit of Pikes Peak inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write “America the Beautiful.”
• Longs Peak: A prominent peak in the Front Range, Longs Peak stands at 14,259 feet and is visible from much of the northern Front Range urban corridor. It is part of Rocky Mountain National Park and is one of the more challenging fourteeners to climb due to its steep ascent.
• The San Juan Mountains: Located in southwestern Colorado, the San Juan Mountains are known for their rugged beauty and rich mining history. Uncompahgre Peak is the highest point in this range, standing at 14,309 feet. The San Juans are a popular destination for hiking, skiing, and exploring historic mining towns like Ouray and Silverton.

Major Rivers and Lakes in Colorado

Colorado’s rivers and lakes are vital to its environment, providing water for agriculture, recreation, and urban areas.

• The Colorado River: Perhaps the most important river in the state, the Colorado River begins in the Rocky Mountain National Park and flows southwest through the state before continuing on to Utah, Arizona, and beyond. The river is critical for agriculture, drinking water, and recreation, supporting millions of people across multiple states.
• The Arkansas River: Flowing from the Sawatch Range near Leadville, the Arkansas River travels southeast through Colorado and into Kansas. It is known for its whitewater rapids, making it a popular destination for rafting, especially near Buena Vista and Salida.
• The Rio Grande: The Rio Grande originates in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains and flows southward into New Mexico and Texas. It plays a crucial role in irrigating agricultural lands in the San Luis Valley.
• Blue Mesa Reservoir: Located in western Colorado, Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water in the state. It is a key component of the Colorado River Storage Project and is popular for fishing, boating, and camping.
• Lake Granby: Situated in northern Colorado, Lake Granby is one of the largest lakes in the state and serves as a major water supply for the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. It is located near Rocky Mountain National Park and is a popular destination for fishing and boating.