After a Colorado constitutional amendment was passed in 1988, English became the official language of Colorado. However, many people who move to and live in the state speak other languages. When a person immigrates, they typically bring their original primary language with them. As a result, far more languages are spoken in Colorado than one might expect.
Additionally, some of the languages present in Colorado are a reflection of current and historical immigration patterns and population composition. Here’s a quick look at Colorado’s immigration history, as well as the top ten languages of Colorado (not including English).
Colorado Immigration History
Until 1848, indigenous people made up the bulk of the Colorado population. The situation began to change after the United States took possession of the region, particularly after gold was discovered in the Pike’s Peak area in 1857. At that time, migrants of European descent began arriving from other states in the Northeast and Midwest, and that pattern continued as more resources were found in what soon became the state of Colorado.
Over time, immigrants from other nations began making their way to Colorado. Latinx immigrants from Central America and Mexico arrived in large numbers. Additionally, Asian immigrants became more common. However, the vast majority of the population is of European descent, either coming directly from various European countries or migrating from other parts of the United States.
Top 10 Languages of Colorado (Other Than English)
Colorado has a population of nearly 5.84 million people, and while the vast majority do speak English as their primary or secondary language, other languages are widely spoken in the state. Approximately 16.3 percent of Coloradans above the age of four (about 951,908 residents) speak a non-English language at home. Additionally, an estimated 6.53 percent of the population (around 381.347 residents) are classified as having limited English proficiency (LEP).
As a result, a variety of languages are spoken by Colorado residents every day. Here’s a breakdown of the top ten languages of Colorado (not including English).
1. Spanish
As is true in most states, Spanish is the most widely spoken non-English language in Colorado. An estimated 602,273 Coloradans speak Spanish, giving them a population share of a little less than 11.25 percent.
2. Chinese
Chinese (including Cantonese and Mandarin) is spoken by approximately 24,224 Colorado residents. That means Chinese speakers make up a bit more than 0.45 percent of the population.
3. German
German is the third most widely used non-English language in Colorado. It’s spoken by about 24,224 residents, resulting in a population share a bit above 0.42 percent.
4. Vietnamese
There are approximately 20,909 Vietnamese speakers in Colorado. That gives them a population share of about 0.39 percent.
5. French
French (including Cajun) is spoken by around 19,965 Coloradans. As a result, they make up a little more than 0.35 percent of the population.
6. Amharic, Somali, or Other Afro-Asiatic Languages
About 15,379 Coloradans speak Amharic, Somali, and other Afro-Asiatic languages. That results in a population share of nearly 0.29 percent.
7. Russian
An estimated 15,342 Russian speakers live in Colorado, causing them to make up just shy of 0.29 percent of the population.
8. Korean
Korean is the primary language of about 14,044 Colorado residents. As a result, they have a population share a bit above 0.26 percent.
9. Arabic
There are approximately 12,795 Arabic speakers in Colorado. That means they make up nearly 0.24 percent of the state’s population.
10. Tagalog
Tagalog (including Filipino) is spoken by an estimated 8,379 Coloradans, giving them a population share just a little bit shy of 0.16 percent.
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