Do you know Colorado's official state symbols?
Do you know Colorado's official state symbols?
Each state in America boasts its own culture, history, and natural beauty. To represent such diversity, people from these states have chosen their own set of symbols and customs. Specific flags, songs, mottos, flowers, and even fruits commemorate the uniqueness of individual states. Some of these symbols border on the bizarre: Texas, for example, has made the Dutch oven its official state cooking pot. Other symbols are more universal, like state birds.
Many people remember learning about their states' history back in elementary school. But can you still remember your state bird? How about your state flower? To test your state knowledge, Stacker compiled a list of symbols in Colorado.
Clue: Colorado state fish
Clue: Although its name sounds intimidating, this fish faces more trouble than it creates. Listed as endangered, it was driven to the brink of extinction by pollution and the introduction of invasive species.
Answer: Colorado state fish
Answer: Greenback cutthroat trout
Clue: Colorado state mammal
Colorado’s state mammal is related to a familiar type of domestic livestock and is the largest wild member of its family in North America. These animals have impressive horns that form curls in the males; these are not shed seasonally but retained throughout their lives.
Answer: Colorado state mammal
- State mammal: Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
Clue: Colorado state song
A.J. Fynn wrote both the words and music to Colorado’s state song in 1896. He was inspired to pen the tune while passing through fields of famous Colorado flowers, traveling by horse and wagon to visit remote Native American tribes. The state officially enshrined it in 1915, but in 1973, Colorado adopted another song, this one written by an out-of-stater whose last name happens to be the same as Colorado’s capital city: John Denver.
Answer: Colorado state song
- Answer: "Where the Columbines Grow," "Rocky Mountain High"
Clue: Colorado state insect
This insect can be identified by its dark purple wings, dotted with orange spots along the edges. It uses the Gambel oak as both a habitat and food source, laying eggs on the tree’s leaves and feeding on its leaves and sap later in life.
Answer: Colorado state insect
- State insect: Colorado hairstreak butterfly (Hypaurotis crysalus)
Clue: Colorado state tree
Picture a standard Christmas tree, and you’ll be imagining the state tree of Colorado. These pine trees have short, sharp needles (about an inch) and tight configurations of branches, and may live for up to 800 years if they aren’t cut down for holiday decorations.
Answer: Colorado state tree
Answer: Colorado blue spruce (Picea pungens)
Clue: Colorado state bird
Like many humans, this common bird changes its plumage to a more modest and somewhat drab color during the winter months. This species also likes to travel in packs—several thousand might fly together during migration.
Answer: Colorado state bird
Answer: Lark bunting
Clue: Colorado state flower
This flower was chosen to represent the state of Colorado based on a vote by school children in 1899. It is known for its blue-violet petals and spurs, its white cup, and a yellow center—the blue is said to represent the sky, the white for snow, and the yellow for Colorado's history with gold mining. It is also referenced in Colorado's official state song.
