Here are the capitals of the Mountain states.
Key idea
The Mountain capitals: Helena (Montana), Boise (Idaho), Cheyenne (Wyoming), Carson City (Nevada), Salt Lake City (Utah), Denver (Colorado), Phoenix (Arizona) and Santa Fe (New Mexico).
Why it works
A capital is the city where a state's government meets: the governor works there and the legislature writes laws there. Many capitals were chosen long ago because they were near the middle of the state, easy for lawmakers to reach by horse or riverboat. The biggest cities often grew later, around ports and railroads. That is why the capital is so often not the biggest city.
| State | Capital | A well-known city that is not the capital |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | Helena | Billings |
| Idaho | Boise | Idaho Falls |
| Wyoming | Cheyenne | Casper |
| Nevada | Carson City | Las Vegas |
| Utah | Salt Lake City | Provo |
| Colorado | Denver | Colorado Springs |
| Arizona | Phoenix | Tucson |
| New Mexico | Santa Fe | Albuquerque |
Worked example: Nevada's capital
What is the capital of Nevada?
- Las Vegas is Nevada's biggest and best-known city.
- The capital is in the west, near Lake Tahoe and the California line.
- It is Carson City.
Answer: Carson City.
Common mistake
Students pick Las Vegas for Nevada or Albuquerque for New Mexico; the capitals are Carson City and Santa Fe. Montana's capital is Helena, not Billings.
Memory help. Santa Fe is the highest state capital, at about 7,000 feet. Denver is the "Mile High City." Phoenix is the largest state capital by population.