Has it been 7 months already?? Last July I posted about my visit to the Utah State Capitol Building and gave you a preview of another State Capitol building I visit on the same trip. I've finally got round to post about it today.
The centennial state
When I went to America last May, Denver in Colorado was the first and last city of my road trip. Colorado is called the centennial state because it became America's 38th state in 1876, 100 years after American became independent from UK in 1776.
Today I want to take you on a tour of the Colorado State Capitol Building. The building opened in 1894, 18 years after Colorado joined the America union. There are entrances on four sides of the building. Depending on which direction you arrive, you may or may not see the 99.9% pure gold gilded top dome. The gold is mined locally and weighs 4 pounds, that's roughly worth about $180k today!
The mile high city
It took me a little while to find the correct public entrance, it was on the other side of the building. Specifically, I was looking for the staircase which says One mile above sea level. Denver is also known as the Mile High City because it is one mile above sea level. They marked this on the 15th step to confirm it. In 1969, the 18th step was determined to be exactly one mile ASL and another marking was made, you can see that on the left of my butt😅. Then in 2003 another survey was done, and now the 13th step was said to be exactly one mile ASL. I wonder if they do a fourth survey in 2025, if it will change again 🤔
Inside the state capitol building
Compared to the Utah state capital building, Colorado was a bit smaller. I don't know enough about American history to understand what contributes to this. Anyway, the four storey tall building was still a remarkable piece of architecture.
The grand staircase and rotunda
I wandered further inside and found the focal point of the building - the grand staircase and the rotunda. It was stunning. The staircase is made from Yule marble flooring, and is native to Colorado. Apparently, it's one of the best marbles in the world, and is also used in the Lincoln Memorial in DC. I have to give it to Colorado, I haven't seen anything like this in all the grand houses I've visited in the UK. Truly impressive.
Even the side staircases in the building were beautifully designed. Like a bridesmaids, subtly beautiful but not overshadowing the bride, playing their part to make the whole place look the best.
The two Houses
Every US state have their own House of Representatives and Senate, and meet regularly to serve the public. There are 65 Representatives and 35 Senators. The Representatives meet in the Green chamber, and the Senators in the Red chamber. These colours are the same as the UK where we have the lower house the Hous of Parliament in green, and the upper House of Lords in red.
When I went to our Parliament last year we weren't allowed to take any photos inside the Houses, but it was fine here. I even walked around the public gallery to get a birds eye view of the House.
There's a massive chandelier hanging down from the ceiling in each of the House. They're identical and each one weighs over 770kg!! I can't even think how they managed to get it up there in the first place, or how to change a light bulb!! Plus, I wouldn't want to be sitting directly underneath it 😅
Presidential portrait gallery
The other area that caught my eye was the presidential portrait gallery. It includes portraits of all the POTUS starting with Washington, then they go around the rotunda. It was very interesting to see how people's looks have evolved over 250 years. I didn't recognise many of the earlier names till I got to the 60s onwards. The last portrait is Trump, Biden was still president when I visited. I wonder if in the future there will be two orange portraits on the wall, and I also wonder when there will be a female portrait here?
Women's Gold Tapestry
As I about to leave the building, I noticed a group of guided tour looking at an embroidery hanging on the wall on the first floor. I saw it earlier on but didn't pay much attention to it as I was eager to explore the rest of the building.
This piece of tapestry was hand made to celebrate Colorado’s centennial in 1977 (remember I said they became the 38th state in 1876?). It measures 9 x 12 feet, took over 3500 people 4500 hours and 2 years to make, and pays tribute to the sacrifices and contributions made by many of the pioneering women to make Colorado what it is today. And do you see a rainbow at the top which says 1876 to 2076. The Coloradans were clearly looking into the future to celebrate its bicentennial, that's only some 50 years ahead. Perhaps by then, women will have made it from this tapestry on the first floor to the presidential portrait gallery on the third floor.
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Impresionante
It's very good to have free access to the Assembly. I guess there are not many security guards. It is also a nice detail that photographs are allowed. In my country, photography is not allowed even in some public places. But sometimes we do not obey this ban. :))
I wish I had a few grams of the gilded dome😂 looks great.
Thank you for showing us the Colorado State Capitol Building. You did a great job. 🌺
The US capitol state buildings are great places to visit, some people make it their mission to visit every one of them.
I was a bit annoyed that we couldn't take any photos in our parliament because it's such an iconic building
These rotundas are so amazing. I kind of wish my wife and I would have had more time to visit some of the state houses when we were driving out that way. We went right by many of them.
I remember you were in Denver as well last year, but you were there mainly for a game? Guess you didn't have too much time. You did get round quite a few other places I saw
We were there a week, but half the time was spent at the soft ball fields, so that did cut into our ability to do a lot of sightseeing. We really only spent one evening in the downtown area.
A traveller who asks herself many questions. But yes, of course there will be changes. Unless the glaciers stop melting. 5 steps of what size? hahaha.... You didn't take anything to measure. What a failure.
It is beautiful the Capitol and its details.
Asking questions and challenging the status quo is the only way to move forward 💪
I would have needed a very long tape to do my own measuring !!
You are right. 👌🏻
😄😁 Good morning, LUT.
Unique and interesting architectural Design
It is in deed
That really is a grand old building, that shot of the grand staircase is brilliant. Hope you left a stocker!!
PS. congratulations on joining the mile high club! LOL
Haha! This is probably the only mile high club I'll be joining 😄
I was very impressed with the capitol building, this and in Utah, they certainly went all out on it
@tipu curate
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I have been here before. It is such a beautiful and historic building. I love all of the little details you can find in the design of the different rooms, each unique and interesting. Thank you for sharing!