The Centennial State is home to numerous Guinness World Records, from hot springs to rock climbing to pull ups

By Johnny Burkin

Colorado is truly one for the record books. And not just for its gorgeous landscapes, 300-plus days of sunshine, or its legalized pot and plethora of breweries. It also boasts a surprising number of Guinness World Records. From man-made marvels to impressive feats of athleticism and, yes, even a touch of wackiness. Here are 16 world records that call the Centennial State home.

Most consecutive stairs climbed while hula hooping

When it comes to accomplishments in hula hooping, Jenny Doan is no stranger. Her 2022 record, set in Denver, saw her hula hoop 10,241 consecutive stairs. Other notable Guinness bests for Doan include, most hulas spun upside down (23, also set in Denver) and the longest marathon hula hooping (100 hours).

Most pullups in 8 hours (male)

For many, doing just a handful of pullups is burdensome. So it’s hard to fathom one person doing 5,049 reps over an 8-hour span. And yet, that’s exactly what Frank Sagano of Pueblo managed to do in September of 2024. For Sagano, a father of four in his 40s, this is nothing new. He also holds the Guiness mark for most chinups in an hour, with 1,010.

World's largest aerial firework shell

The math is simple: a big firework equals a big boom. And with this record breaking, 5-foot diameter, 2,797-pound shell, that’s exactly what the attendees of the Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival were treated to when it closed out the fireworks display in 2020.

World’s deepest geothermal hot spring

Measuring 1,002 feet, the Mother Spring aquifer in Pagosa Springs holds the title as the world's deepest geothermal hot spring. It’s a figure that is both remarkable and a little deceiving. That’s because the plumb line used to measure its depth maxed out before reaching the bottom. So, who knows how much deeper it actually goes.

Largest gathering of people wearing fake mustaches

Tom Selleck would surely tip his cap to this November 2015 stunt led by UC Health and the Denver Broncos. During a home game against the New England Patriots at what was then Sports Authority Field at Mile High, 6,471 people donned fake mustaches (orange of course) to set the record. In the end, it was all done as part of a campaign to help bring awareness to various men's health issues and to encourage regular checkups and screenings.

Greatest vertical distance rock climbing in 24 hours

Between May 4 and 5 in 2011, Will Levandowski climbed 29,130 vertical feet. That's roughly the equivalent of two fourteeners. To accomplish this, Levandowski relied on a series of much shorter climbs. A total of 2,883 to be exact, all on the same 10-foot, 1.25-inch rock formation on Flagstaff Mountain near Boulder.

World's largest motorcycle poker run (same start and end points)

This year will be the 24th year of The Realities Ride & Rally, an event hosted in Loveland that raises money for abused, neglected and at-risk youth. In 2013 it was recognized by Guinness World Records as having the largest motorcycle poker run with 1,494 participants.

Longest spear throwing distance (Using an Atlatl – a hand-held device that helps propel the spear)

Baseballs aren’t the only objects that can fly long distances at altitude. In the summer of 1995, in Aurora, David Engvall posted the longest distance achieved throwing a spear with a mark of 258.63 meters. In the U.S. system, that’s 848 feet, 6.5 inches – what a throw indeed.

Bishop Castle | Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Tallest self-built castle

Standing at 160 feet, Bishop Castle, west of Rye, is one hell of a DIY project. Its owner, Jim Bishop, has single handedly worked on the structure since 1969. Currently, some of its features include stained glass windows, multiple towers and even a fire-breathing dragon.

Oldest active pilot ever

Age has always just been a number. At least that’s what Cole Kuegel might have been trying to prove. Born in Longmont, he is recognized by Guinness as the oldest pilot ever. He took his last flight in 2007, at the age of 105.

Longest line of toothbrushes

The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice daily, but Sharon Lipinski and Christine Foster took that advice to a whole new level. In 2019, in Loveland, the pair lined up a whopping 41,769 toothbrushes, all to raise awareness for children's oral health.

Loudest bark by a group of dogs

Hopefully earplugs were included at this November 2009 event organized by Petmate. In total, 76 doggos and their owners came together in Denver’s Wash Park to unleash a combined bark that registered 124 decibels, which is comparable to the noise level of a chainsaw or rock concert.

Longest chalk pavement art

Chalk it up to the city of Greeley because they know how to set a record. Since 2015, their mark of 18,760 feet, 11 inches is still considered the world's longest chalk pavement art. At more than 3.5-miles, the stretch of artwork took more than 3,500 contributors and 76,000 pieces of chalk to complete.

Most balloons blown up in one hour by an individual

For anyone thinking about taking a stab at this one, let it be known, the number to beat is 910, set in 2015 by Hunter Ewen in Allenspark. Ewen, who first set the record in 2010, credits his achievements in part to conquering a childhood fear of – yes – balloons. As he shared in a 2017 interview with Guinness reps, “Part of the reason I wanted to attempt this record comes from my childhood fear of balloons. I didn’t blow up a balloon for 15 years and I thought this might be a fun way to overcome that fear.”

Greatest distance covered in an inflatable craft in 24 hours on flowing water

Heads up, river rats. The waters of the Colorado must have been raging during this June 2006 expedition. What else could explain how five men traveled a staggering 194.21 miles over the course of 24 hours to claim this milestone?

Most people drawing on an Etch A Sketch simultaneously

What do a classic kid’s toy, a local landmark, and 372 people have in common? A world record, obviously. At an event organized by Jeff Gagliardi and Clark Hodge in Lyons on June 25, 2011, 372 participants, each equipped with full sized Etch A Sketch, came together en masse to draw Steamboat Mountain.