Since the mid-1850s when miners and gold-seekers came to the Rocky Mountains in search of riches, Colorado has had a history of boom and bust.  Today, the state is a popular destination for tourists and for relocation from states such as Texas and California.  Real estate prices vary greatly throughout the state, from the rural Eastern plains single family homes to fabulous Aspen estates, and everything in between.   As in other parts of the country, real estate prices here have been rising and may start to cool.  Still, there is a certain cache to owning Colorado real estate.