1. State of Colorado was founded on January 24, 1876
On January 24, 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant signed a bill making Colorado the 38th state in the United States of America. Prior to becoming a state, Colorado was a territory of the United States for 10 years.

2. Colorado's first Governor was inaugurated on January 24, 1877
On January 24, 1877, John Long Routt was inaugurated as the first Governor of the State of Colorado. Routt was also the last Governor of the Colorado Territory. He served as Governor for two non-consecutive terms, from 1877-1879 and 1891-1893.

3. Colorado's first railroad was completed on January 24, 1878
On January 24, 1878, the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad completed its track into the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, giving the state its first railroad connection to the rest of the country.

4. Colorado's first ski resort opened on January 24, 1939
On January 24, 1939, the first ski resort in Colorado, Howelsen Hill, opened in Steamboat Springs. Today, Colorado has more than 20 ski resorts and is known worldwide for its premier skiing and snowboarding destinations.

5. Colorado Avalanche won their first game in franchise history on January 24, 1996
On January 24, 1996, the Colorado Avalanche, then located in Denver, Colorado, won their first game in franchise history against the Detroit Red Wings. The Avalanche went on to win the Stanley Cup championship that season, the first of two in their first ten years in Colorado.