1. On September 2, 1876, the Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College (now known as Colorado State University) opened its doors to students in Fort Collins, Colorado. The school was founded with the mission of providing education in agriculture, engineering, and other technical fields to the people of Colorado.

2. September 2, 1902 marked the completion of the Gunnison Tunnel, a major irrigation project that diverted water from the Gunnison River to irrigate farmland in the Uncompahgre Valley. The tunnel was considered a engineering marvel of its time, and helped transform the agricultural economy of western Colorado.

3. In 1951, on September 2, a giant dust storm engulfed the city of Denver, causing widespread damage and respiratory problems for many residents. Known as the "Brown Cloud," the storm was the result of a combination of natural factors, including drought conditions and high winds, as well as human activity such as farming and mining.

4. September 2, 1981 marked the launch of the first space shuttle mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Among the seven crew members on board the shuttle Columbia was Colorado native Ellison Onizuka, who had attended the University of Colorado and later served as a member of the Challenger crew that tragically perished in 1986.

5. On September 2, 2013, historic flooding hit many parts of Colorado, causing extensive damage and loss of life. The floods, which were caused by a combination of heavy rainfall and snowmelt, impacted thousands of people across the state, including in communities such as Boulder, Lyons, and Longmont. Recovery efforts continue to this day.