1. On February 23, 1879, the Colorado State Capitol building burned down just two years after its completion. The fire was thought to have started from a faulty chimney, and ultimately resulted in the need for a new Capitol building, which was completed in 1894.

2. In 1905, the "Denver Glee Club" was founded on February 23. This male singing group, which later became known as the "Denver Men's Chorus," is still performing to this day and is one of the oldest gay choruses in the United States.

3. On February 23, 1923, the historic Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park was discovered by a rancher named Richard Wetherill. The Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwelling, which dates back to the 12th century, is now a popular tourist attraction and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

4. In 1972, a major blizzard hit Colorado on February 23, dropping up to 42 inches of snow in some areas and causing widespread power outages and transportation disruptions. This storm, known as the "Great Blizzard of 1972," remains one of the most severe snowstorms in Colorado history.

5. February 23, 2002 marked the opening ceremony of the 19th Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, which boasted a number of Colorado-based companies and athletes. Among them was Boulder snowboarder Chris Klug, who would go on to win a bronze medal in the parallel giant slalom event.