Sitting in the central part of the United States and covering a large part of the Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau, Colorado is the eighth biggest state in America, covering an area of more than 104,000 square miles. It's also the 21st most populous state of all, with over 5.6 million people calling Colorado home. The state has borders with Utah, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, as well as touching part of Arizona in its southwestern corner. Colorado is located in the Mountain Time Zone and is well-known for its huge range of landscapes, including mountains, plains, plateaus, canyons, forests, and more.
The highest point in the state of Colorado is Mount Elbert, which is also the highest summit in the Rocky Mountains. Mount Elbert is located near the center of the state in the San Isabel National Forest. Named after a Colorado statesman named Samuel Elbert, Mt Elbert has an elevation of 14,440 feet (4,401.2 m) and is the second highest mountain in the contiguous United States after Mount Whitney in California. It’s a popular climbing location and is home to many plants and animals including black bears, marmots, mule deer, elk, and many different kinds of birds.
The lowest point in the state of Colorado can be found at the Colorado-Kansas border. The Arikaree River runs through this area as part of its 156 mile route through the Great Plains region of North America. The Arikaree River is a tributary of the Republican River and is mostly located within Colorado. Near the border with Kansas, this river has an elevation of 3,317 feet (1,011 m). It was named after the Arikara Native Americans and has been given Natural Area status in the state of Colorado, playing home to many different birds, reptiles, fish, and amphibians.
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