October 18, 2022
COLORADO STATE CAPITOL
200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203
“The Colorado State Capitol Building, located at 200 East Colfax Avenue in Denver, Colorado, United States, is the home of the Colorado General Assembly and the offices of the Governor of Colorado and Lieutenant Governor of Colorado.” - Wikipedia
On the outside this capitol looks like many other center-domed capitol buildings. It was designed by Elijah E. Myers, who was the architect for two other state capitols and several other government buildings. The outside dome was originally copper, but when it aged and turned black the dome was covered in gold leaf. The interior is where this capitol really shines. Much of the materials used were native to Colorado. The main floor is adorned with Colorado Rose Onyx, a rare rose marble. It is believed the entire supply of the beautiful marble was used in the building. The floors were made of White Yule Marble. The building also has several stained-glass windows depicting people and events related to the history of Colorado. The third-floor rotunda is decorated with portraits of the presidents of the United States (including number 45).
The guided tour was filled with much information and concluded with a trip up to the observation deck outside of the dome.I was a little concerned about walking up 99 steps, especially at Denver’s altitude, but in the end, I had no more issues than anyone else, and the views were spectacular.
A view of the Capitol at dusk.
One of the murals in the rotunda area of the first floor.
View of the rotunda from the first floor.
A large tapestry honoring several women of Colorado history.
Survivors of a past era.
The House Chamber
The House Chamber from the balcony.
The Senate Chamber was off-limit do to some construction taking place.
A view of the Senate Chamber from the third floor. The building has several stained-glass windows honoring people of significance in Colorado history.
A view through a window of the original Supreme Court Chamber, now used for other meetings.
The door to the Governor's office.
Portraits of former governors hang on some of the walls of the Capitol.
Portraits of all the U.S. Presidents hang in the upper rotunda.
The second sighting of moon rocks in Denver.
A view of Denver from the observation area outside the rotunda.
A view of Denver from the observation area outside the rotunda.
The Colorado Education Association building as seen from the Capitol rotunda.
The Colorado Education Association office building.