These Four Coloradans Have Won a Nobel Prize

When one thinks of famous people from Colorado, figures like Tim Allen, John Elway, and South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone are typically among the first to come to mind.

Read More: Ultimate Guide to Colorado Celebrities + Where Some of Them Live |

However, while it's undeniable that Colorado celebrities have certainly made an impact on their own rights, it's easy to forget about Coloradans who have achieved a level of prestige that, perhaps, never catapulted them to celebrity status.

That being said, it may come as a surprise to you to learn that four Coloradans have received Nobel Prizes without necessarily becoming household names.

Colorado Nobel Prize Winners: Edward Tatum

The first Coloradan to win a Nobel Prize, Edward Tatum, received the distinction in 1958 for his work in physiology and medicine. To be more specific, Tatum's award-winning work involved the need for biotin to successfully cultivate the fungus Neurospora crassa.

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Colorado Nobel Prize Winners: Willard F. Libby

The second Coloradan to win a Nobel Prize, Willard F. Libby, received the honor in 1960 for his work in chemistry. To be more specific, Libby is credited with making enormous strides in the field of radiocarbon dating.

Colorado Nobel Prize Winners: John L. Hall

The next Coloradan to receive a Nobel Prize was John L. Hall, a physicist who was recognized for his work in physics. To be more specific, Hall was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2005 for his work related to lasers.

Colorado Nobel Prize Winners: Paul Romer

Finally, the fourth Coloradan to win a Nobel Prize, Paul Romer, received the distinction in 2018 for his work in economic sciences. To be more specific, Romer's work focused on the relationship between natural resources and the economy.