1. Colorado became a state on July 30, 1876. This was only a few months after the Centennial State had declared its independence from the Kansas Territory, and just a few days before the start of the Centennial International Exposition in Philadelphia.

2. On July 30, 1909, the first race was held at the brand-new Denver Speedway. The 2.5-mile track was paved with wooden planks and hosted a variety of races, including IndyCar and motorcycle racing.

3. In 1965, on July 30, a plane carrying a NASA research team crashed in the Rocky Mountains. The team was on its way to conduct high-altitude research when the plane went down near Breckenridge. Miraculously, all of the passengers survived.

4. July 30, 1975, was a dark day in Colorado history. This was the day that labor leader Joseph A. Yablonski, who was running for the presidency of the United Mine Workers, was murdered along with his wife and daughter. The case was eventually solved, and several people were convicted for the crime.

5. On July 30, 1993, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad was designated a National Historic Landmark. The railroad connects the towns of Chama, New Mexico, and Antonito, Colorado, and includes some of the most rugged and scenic terrain in the Rocky Mountains.