Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Denver has been Colorado's capital city since the territory achieved statehood in 1876. The claim that Colorado Springs houses the state capitol is incorrect.
When Colorado Territory was established in 1861, the capital moved between several locations including Colorado City and Golden. Denver became the permanent territorial capital in 1867 and retained this status when Colorado became the 38th state.
The iconic gold-domed Colorado State Capitol building sits in downtown Denver's Civic Center district. Completed in 1901, it houses the state legislature and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The building's 13th step is exactly one mile above sea level, a popular tourist landmark.
While Colorado Springs is the state's second-largest city and home to important institutions like the U.S. Air Force Academy and Olympic Training Center, it has never served as the state capital.