When visiting in the Denver area, you will want to stop by and see the magnificent Colorado State Capitol building. This great structure was designed after the nation's Capitol Building in Washington, DC, and is clearly a building of comparable grandeur.
The construction of the building began on July 4th, 1890, and was finished 18 years later in 1908. A 20-ton cornerstone was used, and many other features add to its beauty. One of the marbles that was used in the building is called Colorado Onyx, which is used only here. It is used in the wainscoting and pillar faces, but the builders used up all there was - before they could finish.
The thirteenth step of the Colorado State Capitol building is exactly one mile above sea level, and is identified as such. The dome is covered with 200 ounces of pure gold plate. There are 122 columns of cast iron in the building. Altogether, it is a grand building worth visiting.
Around the Capitol building you will be able to see a number of historic items. While some of them are replicas, such as the Liberty Bell, other items are original. You will be able to see the Lincoln's Gettysburg Address Plaque, the Logan's Memorial Day Order Plaque, a Civil War Memorial and cannons, a Veteran's Monument, and more.
Inside the building, you will notice the structure is also similar to the nation's Capitol Building. The Rotunda area includes more than 220,000 square feet. It has a ceiling that is about 150 feet above your head. In the Dome, there are 16 different stained glass windows, each one honoring a different important figure in Colorado's history.
Down below, you will see the Women's Gold Tapestry that honors women who had a part in the formation of Colorado's development. This beautiful work, which is nine by twelve feet, took 1,600 expert artisans and 1,800 amateurs 4,500 hours to complete. Eight murals can also be seen that show how the resource of water was developed in the state.
The Grand Staircase is also in the Rotunda and it leads to the second floor. This magnificent staircase consists of 77 marble steps and has brass balustrades with oak. A Gallery of Presidents consisting of individual oil paintings of each one was added to the third floor in 1979.
The Observation Gallery in the Dome offers an almost unbelievably magnificent view of the surrounding area. The mountains and city can be seen in all their great glory.
All of the building is very ornate and you certainly do not want to forget to bring your cameras. You will also be able to see where the House and Senate meet as they prepare the various laws of the State. The old Supreme Court also was in this building for many years - until 1977.
Tours are available in the Denver State Capitol building in Denver, Co, and they are free. You can meet the tours by entering the Capitol through the Colfax Avenue entrance. Each tour will take about 45 minutes and you do not need a reservation. They are open on weekdays, but will be closed on all legal holidays, except Martin Luther King Day and President's Day.
Review, comment, or add new information about this topic: