1. In 1886, Colorado State University was founded on December 9th. Then known as the Colorado Agricultural College, it was established as a land-grant institution with an emphasis on agriculture and mechanical arts.

2. The Colorado State Capitol building was officially dedicated on December 9, 1908. It took 12 years to complete the construction of the building and was designed by architect Elijah E. Myers.

3. On December 9, 1917, the deadliest train wreck in Colorado history happened in the town of Tabernash. The accident occurred when two passenger trains collided head-on killing 23 people and injuring 56.

4. In 1950, Colorado became the first state in the United States to issue a same-sex marriage license. This landmark event occurred on December 9th in the city of Boulder, and drew national attention to the state.

5. The Small Business Saturday campaign was officially recognized by the state of Colorado on December 9, 2011. The initiative, which was created by American Express to encourage people to shop locally, is now celebrated annually on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.