The history of Colorado Airways dates back to the early 1900s when the Denver-area was beginning to see the rise of commercial aviation. In 1917, the first transcontinental flight to fly over Colorado was piloted by Charles Lindbergh, who was a former Army pilot. This flight marked the beginning of a new era in aviation for Colorado.

Colorado Airways was founded in 1919 by entrepreneur Willard Page and a group of investors. The airline officially began operations on June 16, 1919, when the first plane, a Curtiss Jenny, took off from the newly-built Stapleton Airport in Denver. Colorado Airways was the first airline to offer regular commercial flight services in the state of Colorado.

The initial fleet of Colorado Airways consisted of two Curtiss Jennies, two Ford 4-ATs, and two Fokker Universal aircraft. By the late 1920s, the airline had grown to include more than a dozen aircraft, including Douglas DC-3s, Northrop Gamma airliners, and Lockheed Electras.

In the 1930s, Colorado Airways began to expand its operations to cities throughout the Midwest and the Southwest. During this time, the airline also became the first to offer cross-country flights from Denver to New York City.

In the 1950s, the airline began to focus more on the leisure and cargo markets. Colorado Airways started operating turboprop airliners and added new routes to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. The airline also began offering charter flights and cargo services.

In the early 1960s, Colorado Airways purchased its first Boeing 727 aircraft, which allowed the airline to expand its operations to more distant destinations. The airline also began offering flights to Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe.

In the 1970s, the airline continued to expand its operations, and added more Boeing 727s to its fleet. The airline also began to offer business class seating on its flights, and began to offer a frequent flyer program.

In the 1980s, Colorado Airways added a fleet of Boeing 737s to its fleet, and began to offer more international routes. The airline also began to offer flights to Asia, Africa, and Australia.

In the 1990s, Colorado Airways experienced several significant setbacks. In 1995, a Colorado Airways Boeing 737 crashed in Denver, resulting in the loss of 28 lives. The airline was also the subject of several federal investigations, including one involving the maintenance of its aircraft.

In the 2000s, Colorado Airways underwent a major restructuring, and rebranded itself as United Express. The airline merged with Continental Airlines in 2010, and is now a subsidiary of United Airlines.

Today, Colorado Airways offers more than 1,000 daily flights to more than 200 destinations in over 50 countries. The airline has a fleet of more than 500 aircraft, and employs more than 30,000 people. Colorado Airways is one of the largest airlines in the United States and is considered one of the most successful airlines in the world.