Colorado State Capitol

Sitting commandingly atop Capitol Hill, this stately neoclassical government building looks out across the grand Civic Center Park region. The ornate interior befits such a grand building, and visitors can join free tours that depart every 45 minutes.

Construction began in the 1890s from locally quarried rose onyx (Beulah red marble) and in 1908, to celebrate the Colorado gold rush, the superb dome was covered in 200 ounces of gold leaf. In 1909 the 15th step on the western entrance was designated one mile above sea level. Subsequent measures inscribed this marker at the 17th step in 1969, and the 13th in 2003.