The state of Colorado joined the U.S. as the 38th state on August 1, 1876, earning the nickname the Centennial State. It has a population of roughly 5.5 million making it the 21st most populous state. It sits in the 10th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and the state capital is in Denver. 

Colorado is known for its vivid landscape including mountains, plateaus, mesas, high canyons, and desert land, making it one of the most diverse states, in terms of land and structure. Colorado has a total area of about 104,000 miles, making it the 8th largest in the US.

Colorado became part of the U.S. with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. The state’s early economy was driven by discovery of silver in the rugged Rocky Mountain town of Leadville. Colorado is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Newmont Mining, Arrow Electronics, DaVita healthcare, Ball food packaging,  Molson Coors Brewing Company, and Vail Resorts.

The population of Colorado is highly diverse with a major Mexican-American population. Politically, the state tends to support the Democratic party. In 2010, the state elected former Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper to be Governor of Colorado.  

The mountainous landscape makes Colorado a major tourist hub for skiers, hikers, mountain climbers, and all types of outdoor enthusiasts. Top tourist attractions include Pikes Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, the Garden of the Gods, Mesa Verde National Park, Four Corners Monument, Colorado National Monument, Gunnison National Park, and the Silverton Narrow Gage Railway.

Colorado's major cities include Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Aspen, and Durango. Denver is home to the Denver Broncos NFL team, the Colorado Rockies MLB team, the Denver Nuggets NBA team, and the Colorado Avalanche NHL team. Major local educational institutions include University of Colorado, Colorado State University, University of Denver, and Colorado School of Mines.

The National Law Review covers a wide range of Colorado issues, including medicinal and recreational marijuana, environmental conservation and water rights, immigration, food and alcohol laws, and more. The National Law Review also covers court cases coming out of the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over Colorado.