Denver, Colorado

Denver is the capital and most populous city in Colorado. Located east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is known as the Mile High City because its elevation is exactly one mile, or 5,280 feet, above sea level. With a metropolitan population of over 2.8 million people, Denver is the 19th most populous city in the United States.

History

Denver was founded in November 1858 as a mining town during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. The city was named after Kansas Territorial Governor James W. Denver, although it's unclear whether the city was named for him directly or indirectly through the Denver Land Company. In 1861, Denver City became the territorial capital and then the state capital when Colorado joined the Union in 1876. Throughout the late 19th century, Denver grew enormously as a supply point for new settlements and mining camps in the mountains west of the city.

In the early 20th century, the city hosted the 1908 Democratic National Convention and became a major transportation hub after the completion of several railroad lines. Denver underwent rapid growth and urbanization in the post-World War II era and became a center for federal, state, and county government. Today, Denver is a thriving metropolitan city known for its vibrant downtown district, arts and culture scene, microbreweries, and proximity to ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains.

Geography and Climate

Denver is located in the South Platte River Valley just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Due to its high elevation near the foothills, the city has a semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and dry with occasional afternoon thunderstorms, while winters are mild and relatively dry compared to the Midwest with moderate snowfall. Spring and fall bring wide variations in temperature and weather. The city averages 56 inches of snow per year and receives about 15 inches of total rainfall annually.

Economy

Denver has a diverse economy based on government, trade, transportation, technology, energy, and tourism. As the capital and seat of the state government, Denver has many federal, state, and local government agencies. The 10-county Denver-Aurora metropolitan area had a gross metropolitan product of $199 billion in 2010, making it the 18th largest metro economy in the United States.

Denver's economy is also boosted by its proximity to natural amenities. The city is a major hub for skiing, hiking, and other outdoor recreation throughout the Rocky Mountains. Tourism connected to Colorado's national parks and ski resorts brings significant income and employment.

Transportation

Denver is served by a network of highways, including Interstate 25, I-70, I-76, and I-225. Public transportation is managed by the Denver Regional Transportation District, which operates over 1,000 buses and a light rail system. Denver International Airport is the primary commercial airport serving the city and the fifth busiest airport in the world. The airport is located 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver.

Culture

Denver is known for its many arts and culture institutions including the Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, and Denver Zoo. Sports are also a big part of Denver culture, with the Denver Broncos football team, Colorado Rockies baseball team, Denver Nuggets basketball team, Colorado Rapids soccer club, and Colorado Avalanche hockey team.

The city has a lively arts district located in downtown Denver centered around the Denver Performing Arts Complex. The district contains several large theaters, multiple museums, and the Colorado Convention Center. Downtown Denver also contains an assortment of dining, shopping, breweries, and nightlife.

Neighborhoods

The City of Denver has nearly 80 official neighborhoods within the city limits. Some of the most well-known include:

• LoDo (Lower Downtown): Denver's trendy downtown district with breweries, restaurants, and nightlife

• Capitol Hill: A densely populated residential community adjacent to downtown

• Highlands: Hip neighborhood along West 32nd Avenue with cafes, boutiques, and eateries

• Five Points: Historic African American neighborhood with jazz clubs and restaurants

• Cherry Creek: Upscale shopping, dining, and residential district

• Washington Park: Family-friendly neighborhood surrounding a large city park

• Golden Triangle: Civic and cultural hub with the Denver Art Museum and government buildings

Parks and Recreation

Known as the Mile High City, Denver has one of the most active populations in the country with plenty of outdoor recreation readily available. The city manages over 200 public parks covering over 14,000 acres of land. Major parks include:

• City Park - located just east of downtown, contains the Denver Zoo and Museum of Nature & Science

• Washington Park - family-friendly park surrounding a large lake

• Cheesman Park - popular gathering place with views of downtown

• Sloan's Lake - 1700 acre lake and park good for biking, boating and bird watching

• Confluence Park - located along the South Platte River where Cherry Creek meets the river

The nearby Rocky Mountain foothills and Mount Evans provide ample opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing, and other outdoor recreation. The city maintains over 85 miles of paved trails for biking or walking. Popular nearby ski resorts include Breckenridge, Vail, Copper Mountain, Winter Park, Loveland, and Arapahoe Basin.

Landmarks and Attractions

As both a major metropolitan city and a gateway to the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers many attractions and landmarks for visitors to enjoy, such as:

• Red Rocks Amphitheatre - world-famous outdoor music venue just west of the city

• Denver Mint - produces over 50 million coins daily and offers tours to the public

• Coors Field - downtown ballpark home to the Colorado Rockies baseball team

• Denver Zoo - home to over 4,000 animals on 80 acres

• Denver Botanic Gardens - 24 public gardens with flora from all over the world

• Larimer Square - Denver's oldest block with restaurants, bars, and shops

• Union Station - large public transit station and revitalized urban neighborhood

• Molly Brown House - historic home of Titanic survivor Molly Brown

Visitors to the Mile High City will find plenty to see and do from museums and brewery tours to hiking and skiing in the nearby Rocky Mountains. With 300 days of sunshine per year, Denver is the perfect city to enjoy the great outdoors and urban amenities.

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