Central Colorado, Mountain region in central Colorado, United States
Central Colorado is a mountain region in the heart of the state, where the Rocky Mountains rise sharply from the surrounding plains. Interstate 70 runs east to west through the area, linking Denver to the mountain towns further inland.
The gold rush of 1859 brought large numbers of people into the region almost overnight and led to the rapid founding of mining camps across the mountains. Some of those camps grew into permanent towns that are still inhabited today.
The Central City Opera House puts on performances in a building from 1878, and the town around it still looks much like it did during the mining era. Walking through Central City, visitors pass old brick facades and narrow streets that give a sense of what a gold rush town felt like.
Interstate 70 is the main road through the area and gives access to trailheads and outdoor starting points across the region. Sturdy footwear is a good idea since many routes gain elevation quickly and weather can change fast.
More than 50 peaks in the region rise above 14,000 feet (about 4,300 meters), a number that puts Colorado far ahead of any other state for high summits. Climbers call them Fourteeners, and many people set a personal goal of reaching all of them.
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