1. On January 12, 1859, the first gold rush in Colorado history began when gold was discovered in the Pikes Peak region. This event led to a surge of prospectors and miners coming to the region in search of fortune and set the stage for Colorado's evolution into a mining state.

2. In 1908, on January 12, the first United States long distance telephone call was made from Denver to New York City. The call was made by Mayor Robert W. Speer to New York City Mayor George B. McClellan and marked a major milestone in the development of modern communication technology.

3. On January 12, 1915, the historic Brown Palace Hotel in Denver opened its doors. The hotel was built by Henry C. Brown and was designed to be one of the most luxurious hotels in the United States. It is still a popular destination and a piece of Colorado's rich architectural history.

4. In 1978, on January 12, serial killer Ted Bundy abducted his last known victim, 12-year-old Kimberly Leach, from her school in Lake City, Florida. Bundy was later captured and convicted of numerous murders in several states, including Colorado.

5. On January 12, 2009, Colorado State Senator Jim Isgar resigned from his position to take a job in the Obama administration. Isgar had represented the southwestern portion of the state for 10 years and was known for his work on water, transportation, and agriculture issues.