
🏔️ How Big is Colorado? (Spoiler: Bigger Than You Think)
Everything about Colorado feels massive—from our towering 14ers to wide-open skies—but have you ever stopped to wonder just how big the state really is?
📏 Total Size of Colorado: 104,185 Square Miles
Colorado spans 104,185 square miles, making it the 8th largest state in the United States. It stretches roughly 380 miles wide and 280 miles long, giving you plenty of room to hike, ski, raft, explore, and even get lost in the best way.
🗺️ Colorado vs. the World
To visualize that:
- It’s nearly the same size as New Zealand
- It’s larger than 118 countries, including:
- Greece 🇬🇷
- South Korea 🇰🇷
- Iceland 🇮🇸
- Austria 🇦🇹
- Portugal 🇵🇹
- Hungary 🇭🇺
🌍 Where Colorado Ranks in the U.S.
Rank | State | Area (mi²) |
---|---|---|
1st | Alaska | 663,267 |
2nd | Texas | 268,596 |
3rd | California | 163,695 |
8th | Colorado | 104,185 |
🎓 Student Section: Is Colorado a Square?
Let’s break down some common geography questions students (and curious adults) often ask about Colorado:
❓ Is Colorado a square?
Not quite! Colorado is often called a square state, but it’s actually more like a rectangle—and even that isn’t perfect. Due to the curvature of the Earth and early surveying quirks, the borders aren’t exactly straight.
❓ Is Colorado perfectly square or rectangular?
No. While it appears rectangular on maps, the southern border slightly curves because of Earth’s shape. Some borders also have minor jogs when checked with GPS.
❓ How did Colorado get its shape?
Congress defined Colorado’s shape when it became a territory in 1861, and again when it became a state in 1876. It was one of the first states outlined entirely by lines of latitude and longitude:
- Latitude: 37°N to 41°N
- Longitude: 102°W to 109°W
❓ Does any other state look like Colorado?
Yes—Wyoming. It’s also a nearly rectangular state and shares a border with Colorado to the north.
🌄 Why Size and Shape Matter
Colorado’s large, nearly rectangular footprint gives it incredible diversity in landscapes and access to public lands, including:
- 4 National Parks
- 42 State Parks
- Over 24 million acres of public land
- Dozens of scenic byways and mountain passes
You can explore snowy peaks, red rock canyons, alpine lakes, and desert dunes all without leaving the state.
✈️ Travel Tip: Crossing Colorado Takes Time
Driving from corner to corner across Colorado can take 6–9 hours, depending on your route and how many scenic stops you make (you’ll want to make a lot).
📸 Have You Explored the Corners of Colorado?
Tag your road trip or classroom geography photos—especially if you’ve hit all four corners of the state!
- Instagram: @OpenRoadColorado
- Facebook: Open Road Colorado
- X (Twitter): @OpenRoadCO
Use the hashtag #OpenRoadColorado and let us know how far you’ve traveled!
🔗 Official Resources and Government Links
Share Size of Colorado on Social -
More Fun Facts About Colorado

Mount Elbert: Tallest Mountain in Colorado – Hiking, Trails & Facts
Mount Elbert: Tallest Mountain in Colorado Mount Elbert, towering at an impressive elevation of 14,440 feet (4,401 meters), holds the title of the tallest mountain in Colorado and the second-highest peak in the contiguous United States. Located in the Sawatch

What Does Colorado Mean? – Origin, History & Fun Facts Explained
What Does Colorado Mean? – History, Origin & Fun Facts Have you ever wondered what Colorado means or where the state’s name comes from? Colorado’s name traces its roots back to the Spanish language, reflecting the state’s natural beauty and

Palisade Peach – Unofficial State Fruit of Colorado
Palisade Peach – Colorado’s Sweetest Summer Tradition | Open Road Colorado 🍑 Palisade Peach – Colorado’s Sweetest Summer Tradition / Fun Facts About Colorado / By Open Road Colorado Move over Georgia—Colorado has its own juicy claim to fame! The

Colorado Abbreviation (CO) & State Nicknames Explained
Colorado Abbreviation & State Nicknames Explained 🏷️ Colorado Abbreviation & State Nicknames Explained By Open Road Colorado | Colorado History & Fun FactsUpdated April 2025 | Great for Students, Travelers & Postal Pros 🔠 What Is the Abbreviation for Colorado?

Colorado Blue Spruce: Facts, Elevation, Lifespan
Colorado Blue Spruce – The Official State Tree of Colorado 🌲 Colorado Blue Spruce – The Official State Tree of Colorado By Open Road Colorado | Colorado Fun Facts & HistoryUpdated April 2025 | Perfect for Students, Nature Lovers &
More Fun Facts About Colorado

Colorado Quarter: History, Design & 50 State Quarters Program (2006)
Colorado Quarter – History, Design & 50 State Quarters Program Overview The Colorado Quarter was released on June 14, 2006, as part of the United States Mint’s 50 State Quarters Program, which celebrated each U.S.

Mount Elbert: Tallest Mountain in Colorado – Hiking, Trails & Facts
Mount Elbert: Tallest Mountain in Colorado Mount Elbert, towering at an impressive elevation of 14,440 feet (4,401 meters), holds the title of the tallest mountain in Colorado and the second-highest peak in the contiguous United

Colorado River Headwaters – History & Travel Guide
🌊 Colorado River Headwaters: Where the Mighty River Begins Explore the birthplace of one of North America’s most legendary rivers—right here in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. 📍 Where Does the Colorado River Begin?

Arkansas River – Longest River, Map, and Recreation
Arkansas River – The Longest River in Colorado | Open Road Colorado 🌊 Arkansas River – The Longest River in Colorado (Ultimate Guide) Category: Fun Facts About Colorado Author: Open Road Colorado 🚗🏞️ Updated: April

When Did Colorado Become a State? | Statehood in 1876
Colorado Statehood: When Colorado Became a State in 1876 📅 When Did Colorado Become a State? Discover the Road to Statehood in 1876 From gold rush dreams to joining the Union—how Colorado earned its stars