The nickname the 'Headwaters State' was given to Colorado because of the 158 named rivers flowing throughout. Four major Colorado rivers cross state lines and three of them are among the longest rivers in America.

Read More: Gunnison River: Navigating Colorado's Scenic Landscapes

Have you ever wondered which one of Colorado's rivers is the longest? The answer might surprise you. Keep reading for a closer look at the three longest rivers in the Centennial State.

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The Colorado River

Colorado's 3rd Longest River
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La Poudre Pass Lake, at 10,174 feet, sits just below La Poudre Pass near the northern end of Rocky Mountain National Park. The lake marks the headwaters of the Colorado River, the third longest in the state.

The Colorado River flows over 300 miles to the Colorado-Utah state line, and more than 1,450 miles to the Gulf of California in northwestern Mexico.

The Arkansas River

Colorado's Second Longest River
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The Arkansas River flows more than 300 miles from its headwaters near Leadville to the Colorado-Kansas state line. The headwaters begin at an elevation of 9,728 ft, just West of the town of Leadville. The Arkansas River has traveled its 1,469-mile route to the mouth in Napoleon, Arkansas for more than 29 million years.

The Rio Grande River

Colorado's Longest River
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The title of Colorado's Longest River belongs to the Rio Grande River, with a length of 208 miles to New Mexico, and 1,885 miles from its headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico. Rio Grande means "Big River" in America, but in Mexico, the river is known as Rio Bravo or "Furious River." The Rio Grande is considered one of the most endangered rivers in North America.

LOOK: Thirteen Cool Facts About Colorado’s Uncompahgre River

Western Colorado is home to the Colorado River, the Gunnison River, and the Uncompahgre River. As the smallest of the three, most people aren't as familiar with this important waterway serving Ridgway, Montrose, and Delta. Keep going to learn thirteen cool facts about the Uncompahgre River in western Colorado.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

MORE: 12 Facts You May Not Know About Colorado’s San Miguel River

Colorado's San Miguel River is one of the best places to enjoy floating, fishing, and hiking on the Western Slope from July to September. Beginning high in the San Juan Mountains south of Telluride, the San Miguel River travels along the Uncompaghre Plateau into Montrose County, where it joins with the Dolores River.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

UP NEXT: 13 Cool Facts About Western Colorado's Dolores River

Only a small number of rivers around the world flow Northward, and Colorado's Dolores River is one of them. Stretching for nearly 241 miles, the Dolores River is almost as long as the Grand Canyon. Its waters help the Colorado River continue through Utah and reach millions of Americans West of the Centennial State.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

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