Colorado State Capitol
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The Colorado State Capitol Building, located at 200 E Colfax Ave in Denver, Colorado, is the home of the Colorado legislature. The building is intentionally reminiscent of the United States Capitol. Designed by Elijah E. Myers, it was constructed in the 1890s from Colorado white granite. The distinctive gold dome consists of a plate of real gold, first added in 1908, commemorating the Colorado Gold Rush. The building is part of Denver's Civic Center area.
Serving as the beginning of the Capitol Hill district, the historic building sits slightly higher than the rest of downtown Denver. The main entrance hall is open 180 feet (55 meters) to the top of the dome, about the height of an 18-story building. Additionally, the official elevation of Denver is measured outside the west entrance to the building, where the fifteenth step is engraved with the words "One Mile Above Sea Level." From this step, around dusk, a magnificent view of the sun setting behind the Rocky Mountains can be taken-in at 5,280 feet. A second mile high marker was set in the 18th step in 1969 when Colorado State Universisty students resurveyed the elevation. Finally, in 2003, an even more accurate measurement was made with modern means and the 13th step was identified as being one mile high where a 3rd marker was installed.
The interior of the building uses copious amounts of Colorado Rose Onyx, a rare rose marble from a quarry near Beulah, Colorado. The amount used in the building consumed the entire known supply. White Yule Marble from the quarries near Marble, Colorado was also used throughout the capitol for the floors. Many designs have been found in the marble including an image resembling George Washington and another of Molly Brown. [1]
Many of the windows are stained glass, depicting people or events related to the history of Colorado. The halls are decorated with portraits of every president of the United States.
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