Colorado: elevation, cities and highest point
Colorado has 6,012,561 people (2025) and 64 counties. Its highest point is Mount Elbert, at 14,433 ft, and its lowest, the Arikaree River, at 3,315 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 250,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 6,012,561
- The 20th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 103,637 sq mi
- The 8th largest state
- Counties
- 64
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- 3,315 ft
- Arikaree River
Map of Colorado’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Denver, sits at 5,276 ft (1,608 m): the 3rd highest of the 50 state capitals. Colorado’s highest point, Mount Elbert, is 89 mi away in a straight line and 9,157 ft higher.
Between its highest point (14,433 ft) and its lowest (3,315 ft) there’s 11,118 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Colorado’s is the 3rd highest.
Colorado has 3 cities with a page. The highest is Colorado Springs, at 6,009 ft, and the lowest is Denver, at 5,276 ft: 733 ft apart.
Colorado borders 6 states. Their highest points are Wheeler Peak, in New Mexico (13,161 ft), Kings Peak, in Utah (13,528 ft), Panorama Point, in Nebraska (5,424 ft), Mount Sunflower, in Kansas (4,039 ft), Gannett Peak, in Wyoming (13,804 ft), and Black Mesa, in Oklahoma (4,973 ft): Colorado’s is the highest of the 7. Their capitals: Santa Fe (6,997 ft), Salt Lake City (4,264 ft), Lincoln (1,202 ft), Topeka (948 ft), Cheyenne (6,091 ft), and Oklahoma City (1,196 ft).
- Mount Elbert 14,433 ft
- Colorado Springs 6,009 ft
- Aurora 5,405 ft
- Denver 5,276 ft
Population
Colorado had 6,012,561 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 4.1% more than in April 2020 (5,775,326). Across 103,637 sq mi of land, that’s 58 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Denver, with 740,613 people, which is also the capital. The Census counts 482 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Colorado.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 740,613 | 153 sq mi | 5,276 ft |
| Colorado Springs | 494,743 | 202 sq mi | 6,009 ft |
| Aurora | 410,053 | 164 sq mi | 5,405 ft |
| Fort Collins | 171,500 | 57.2 sq mi | — |
| Lakewood | 156,927 | 43.5 sq mi | — |
| Thornton | 147,766 | 36.6 sq mi | — |
| Arvada | 122,901 | 39.0 sq mi | — |
| Westminster | 116,182 | 31.6 sq mi | — |
| Greeley | 115,073 | 50.6 sq mi | — |
| Pueblo | 110,404 | 56.6 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Colorado?
Mount Elbert, at 14,433 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 3rd highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Colorado?
The Arikaree River, at 3,315 ft, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Denver, the capital?
5,276 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 3rd highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Colorado?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 250,000 people), Colorado Springs, at 6,009 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Colorado have?
64, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know