Colorado: government, population and official figures

Colorado is a state of the United States, number 20 of 51 by population. Colorado had an estimated 6,012,561 residents on 1 July 2025, 1.8% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 20th largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.40%, 23rd slowest-growing of 51.

Who runs Colorado?

The governor is Jared Polis. Governor's office. Phone: 1-303-866-2885. Address: State Capitol Building 200 E. Colfax Ave., Rm. 136 Denver , CO 80203.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Colorado: The economy of Colorado (gross domestic product) was worth $574.9 billion in 2025 at current prices, 1.9% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 17th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 4.2% on 2024.
• Health in Colorado: Life expectancy at birth in Colorado was 78.5 years in 2022, 11th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Colorado: 82.3% of public high school students in Colorado graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 10th lowest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Colorado: The Census Bureau estimates that 9.6% of people in Colorado lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 557,895 people; 7th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Colorado: Colorado's state government took in $45.5 billion in fiscal year 2024, $7,595 per resident, 8th lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Colorado

• Colorado
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Human Services
• Consumer Protection
• Department of Corrections
• District Attorneys' Council
• Department of Education
• Elections and Voting
• Emergency Prepareness and Response
• Department of Public Health and Environment
• Motor Vehicles
• State Attorney General

Largest cities in Colorado

1. Denver 740,613 (2025)
2. Colorado Springs 494,743 (2025)
3. Aurora 410,053 (2025)
4. Fort Collins 171,500 (2025)
5. Lakewood 156,927 (2025)
6. Thornton 147,766 (2025)
7. Arvada 122,901 (2025)
8. Westminster 116,182 (2025)
9. Greeley 115,073 (2025)
10. Pueblo 110,404 (2025)
11. Centennial 108,658 (2025)
12. Boulder 105,689 (2025)
13. Longmont 100,109 (2025)
14. Castle Rock 83,815 (2025)
15. Loveland 81,387 (2025)
16. Broomfield 79,174 (2025)
17. Commerce City 72,345 (2025)
18. Grand Junction 71,827 (2025)
19. Parker 65,985 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

Up a level: the United States · government and power in the United States · cities

Sources

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