Why Is Wyoming So Empty While Colorado Keeps Growing?

Colorado and Wyoming, often referred to as the square states, are neighbors. But despite being neighbors, the two states have developed and grown in remarkably different ways. In fact, today, Colorado has about 10 times as many people as Wyoming, which begs the question, why don't more people live in Wyoming? And what caused Colorado to grow so much faster? Welcome to Geography by Jeff and Happy 2024. To kick off the new year, I figured we would tackle a timeless question. Why does Colorado and Wyoming have vastly different populations when everything else, climate, geography and even shape appear to be the same? Well, believe it or not, there are some fundamental geographic reasons for this. But first, this week's podcast episode is a bit of a unique one. Instead of crafting a whole new episode, I remix an old episode of ours on the Cascadia subduction zone earthquake and brought it more in line with our current standards. If you missed this one all the way back in February of 2023, now's your chance to give a listen and learn about how the country's largest earthquake could impact us all. You can listen to that episode right now by clicking this link or by checking out the description below. Colorado and Wyoming, two neighboring states in the western United States, share a very similar shape. In fact, they've been nicknamed the square states because they have such a geometric border shape. Despite this visual similarity, however, the two states actually came together in very different ways. Long before European settlers arrived, numerous indigenous tribes thrived in what is now Colorado and Wyoming. In Colorado, the Ute tribe was predominant in the mountainous regions known for their adaptation to the rugged terrain. The plains of eastern Colorado were home to the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes who followed the vast buffalo herds and lived a nomadic lifestyle. In Wyoming, the eastern Shoshone and northern Arapaho were prominent, along with the Crow tribe in the north and the Cheyenne in the eastern plains. Each of these tribes had complex social structures prior to European colonization. But the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 1500s marked the beginning of a long period of change and conflict. The Spanish, followed by French and then American explorers, trappers and settlers, encroached upon these indigenous lands. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the subsequent Lewis and Clark Expedition increased American interest in the region as a whole. But it would be the discovery of gold in Colorado in 1858 that would mark the first major American migration to the region. Thousands of settlers would head to Colorado and what became known as the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. This influx of settlers led to the creation of the Colorado Territory in 1861. The establishment of this territory and later statehood of Colorado in 1876 was marred by conflicts with indigenous tribes, most notably the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864, where a peaceful village of Cheyenne and Arapaho people was attacked by a militia, resulting in tragic loss of life. The massacre is considered part of a series of events known today as the Colorado Wars. Meanwhile, in the north, Wyoming's path to territorial status was more influenced by the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad and the abundance of fertile land for cattle ranching. The Union Pacific Railroad, completed in 1869, brought a wave of settlers and economic opportunities. It was during this time that the Wyoming Territory was established in 1868 with a surprisingly progressive stance on women's rights. It was the first territory where women were granted the equal right to vote in 1869. When Wyoming became a state in 1890, it adopted the nickname the Equality State. As both Colorado and Wyoming transitioned into territories and then states, the indigenous tribes faced significant challenges. Treaties were made and broken, and tribes were often forcibly removed from their ancestral lands. The creation of reservations, while providing some form of autonomy, was also a means of control and assimilation. Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, Colorado and Wyoming experienced significant development. The mining industry, especially in Colorado, expanded with the discovery of silver and other minerals. Wyoming's economy was bolstered by coal mining, oil and natural gas extraction, along with agriculture. But while both states saw population growth and the establishments of cities and infrastructure during this time, Colorado would outpace Wyoming handily and eventually go on to have more than 10 times the amount of population. Today, Colorado and Wyoming are largely known as the square states, given that they share a very similar and geometrically confined shape. But that's about where the similarities end. Even their physical geography is very different. But before we explore the geography of these two states, if you're enjoying this video, hit that subscribe button. More fun geography videos are just a single click away. Colorado and Wyoming are neighbors. And because of that, the two states do share some geographic similarities. However, due to the way in which the Rocky Mountains weave through the continent, the two states actually have some surprising differences. Colorado, known for its striking mountainous landscapes, is dominated by the Rocky Mountains. This mountain range forms the backbone of the state and is home to some of the highest peaks in the United States, including Mount Elbert, the highest point in Colorado at 14,440 feet. The state's topography is marked by dramatic elevation changes, with the Great Plains to the east, the Rocky Mountains in the center, and the Colorado Plateau to the west. This varied elevation leads to a wide range of climate conditions, from the arid and semi-arid zones in the plains and plateaus to the alpine climate in the high mountains. And of course, the Rocky Mountains also influence Colorado's water resources, with major rivers like the Colorado River and the Arkansas River originating in these mountains. Both of these rivers have major impacts on the country at large, with the Colorado River providing water to both Phoenix and Los Angeles, and the Arkansas River irrigating vast parts of the states of Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas, before combining with the Mississippi River. In contrast, Wyoming, while still featuring a portion of the Rocky Mountains, is characterized by a more expansive landscape. This is partly because the Rocky Mountains kind of stop at the border with Wyoming. In fact, much of southwest Wyoming feels geographically empty compared to western Colorado. That said, Wyoming does have its fair share of the Rocky Mountains. It's just different from Colorado. Wyoming's highest point would be Gannett Peak, at 13,810 feet, located in the Wind River Range. And of course, one of the most distinctive features of Wyoming's geography is the Yellowstone Plateau, home to Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the world. This region is renowned for its geothermal features, including geysers and hot springs, largely due to the volcanic activity beneath the plateau. Finally, Wyoming's climate is generally more arid and windier compared to Colorado, with less precipitation and more extreme temperatures due to its higher average elevation. The state's sparse population and vast open landscapes contribute to its reputation as a wild and untamed region of the American West. But while both states are defined by mountains that course through them, both ended up developing in very different, almost contrasting ways. Colorado is home to about 5.8 million people today. While a far cry away from the largest state in the country, it's still a fairly large state by population. In contrast, Wyoming, sitting just to the north, has a scant 580,000 people. At present, Wyoming is the smallest state by population in the country. Even cold, distant and untamed Alaska has more people. And as it turns out, this population trend is due to a variety of geographic reasons. Historically, Colorado has also seen more significant settlement and development due to pure luck. The gold and silver rushes of the 1800s brought a huge number of settlers to Colorado, establishing a pattern of population growth that continued through the 1900s and even into today. Between 1860 and 1890, Colorado's population grew from about 34,000 people to over 410,000 people. From that point on, Colorado would grow by more than 10 percent every single decade, aside from during the Great Depression, when the state still experienced an impressive 8.4 percent growth. Wyoming, with its harsher climate and more rugged terrain, did not experience anywhere near the same level of early settlement. Colorado's larger population today can largely be credited to its diverse and robust economy that was built off its historic roots as a gold rush boom state. The state has become a hub for multiple industries, including technology, aerospace, renewable energy and tourism. Cities like Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs are economic centers that attract a large workforce. And the presence of major universities, research institutions and a thriving startup culture also contribute to Colorado's appeal as a place to live and work. Meanwhile, Wyoming has just a single four year university located in Laramie. In contrast, Wyoming's economy never really matured beyond natural resources and agriculture. The state is a major producer of coal, natural gas and crude oil. But while these industries contribute significantly to Wyoming's economy, they have not brought the same growth. Coal as a power source has been in decline for many years, and the natural gas and oil industries have agglomerated in Houston, not Wyoming. As such, those industries simply don't necessitate a large population center. And because of this, Wyoming's population is more dispersed with smaller towns and fewer urban centers. The state's largest city, Cheyenne, has a population significantly smaller than cities like Denver or Colorado Springs. Overall, Colorado's investment in infrastructure and urban development has made it more attractive for businesses and residents alike. The state has a well-defined transportation network, including major highways and airports which are less extensive in Wyoming. In fact, Wyoming only has a single international airport located in Casper, which, as of the publishing of this video, has no international flights. Today, Colorado's largest city would be Denver, with about 3 million people in its metro area. This would be followed by Colorado Springs with 755,000 people, Fort Collins with 359,000, Boulder with 330,000, and Greeley with 328,000 people. By contrast, Wyoming's largest metro area would be Cheyenne with a scant 100,000 people, followed by Casper with about 80,000. No other city within Wyoming has more than 50,000 people. But what's perhaps stranger than Wyoming's low population is the fact that it was never kind of intended to be a state in the first place. Wyoming's path to statehood stands out as particularly unique within American history. Unlike many states that were carved out with clear intentions of statehood, Wyoming's path was more incidental, emerging from a complex pattern of territorial changes. In fact, through time, Wyoming has been part of seven different territories before emerging as its own entity. Initially, the land that would become Wyoming was part of several different territories. It was included in the Land Purchase of 1803, transferring from French to American hands. This vast area was originally part of the Missouri Territory, established in 1812. As America's westward expansion continued, the region went through several territorial reconfigurations. It was part of the Oregon Territory in 1848, and then the Washington Territory in 1853, followed by the Dakota Territory in 1861, and briefly part of the Idaho Territory in 1863, and the Montana Territory in 1864. This frequent redrawing of territorial boundaries reflected the fluid nature of the American frontier and the lack of a clear vision for the region that would become Wyoming. Wyoming's emergence as a distinct territory was driven more by practical considerations than by any grand design. The construction of the Transcontinental Railroad through the region was a pivotal factor. As the Union Pacific Railroad laid tracks across the High Plains, the need for a more effective administrative and legal framework in the area became apparent. The railroad brought a surge in population, with workers, settlers, and businesses flocking to the region, necessitating a more organized governance structure. But in Wyoming as we know it today, there was none, and the nearest administrative areas were very far away. As such, the establishment of the Wyoming Territory in 1868 was a response to these needs. It was formed as parts of the Dakota, Idaho, and Utah Territories, a decision made more for administrative convenience than a deliberate effort to create a new state. The territorial government was set up to provide law and order, manage land and resource rights, and facilitate the burgeoning railroad and mining industries. From there, Wyoming would eventually be granted full statehood. But in the beginning, nobody ever really conceived of Wyoming the state. Colorado has 10 times as many people as Wyoming because gold was discovered at just the right time to induce a growth spurt for the state. Wyoming, unfortunately, never had that same luxury. And due to its remoteness and climate, it's likely to remain as America's least populated state well into the future. I hope you enjoyed learning all about Colorado and Wyoming. If you did, please subscribe to my channel. If you want to listen to the podcast episode, click here. If you want to watch more videos by me, click here. Thanks for watching. See you next time.