1. On July 19, 1878, in Leadville, the infamous outlaw and gunslinger John Wesley Hardin was arrested and taken to jail after he was found carrying a pistol. Hardin had a reputation for being one of the deadliest men in the West, and his arrest garnered national attention.

2. July 19, 1904, marked the opening of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, which is still one of the state's most popular attractions. The zoo is home to more than 750 animals representing over 150 species, and it boasts stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

3. On July 19, 1950, Colorado became the first state in the nation to implement an official license plate for its automobiles. Previously, drivers had been using homemade or makeshift tags to show they were registered with the state.

4. The Denver Broncos made a big move on July 19, 2011, when they signed quarterback Kyle Orton to a one-year contract extension. Orton had played for the team since 2009 and had led the Broncos to the playoffs the previous season.

5. In a tragic incident on July 19, 2012, a gunman opened fire in a packed movie theater in Aurora, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more. The shooting sparked a nationwide debate about gun control and led to calls for increased security at public venues.