Denver

by The Linguist

Denver, Colorado – The Mile High City

Denver is the capital and most populous city in Colorado. With an estimated population of 727,211 as of 2020, it is also the 19th most populous city in the United States. The city is located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. With an elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver is called the Mile High City.

History

Denver was founded in November 1858 as a mining town during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. It was named after Kansas Territorial Governor James W. Denver. In 1867, Denver City and the town of Auraria merged and were incorporated as the City of Denver. The city boomed in the late 19th century due to railroads, mining, cattle ranching, and the establishment of financial and government institutions. In the early 20th century, the city hosted the 1908 Democratic National Convention and served as a supply point during World War II. Denver experienced rapid growth following World War II with the establishment of multiple military bases and energy companies. Today, Denver is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city known for its progressive politics, craft beer scene, and proximity to the Rocky Mountains.

Learn more about Denver’s history at the Denver Wikipedia page.

Attractions and Landmarks

As the gateway to the Rocky Mountains, Denver offers easy access to world-class skiing, hiking, fishing, and more. Within the city, top attractions include:

  • Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre – A legendary open-air music venue set against enormous red sandstone rocks.
  • Denver Botanic Gardens – 24 acres of theme gardens showcasing plants from around the world.
  • Denver Zoo – A 80-acre zoo featuring over 4,000 animals.
  • Denver Museum of Nature & Science – Leading museum with IMAX theater and planetarium.
  • Denver Art Museum – Renowned for its Indigenous American art collections.

Other popular landmarks include the Colorado State Capitol building, Denver Mint, and the Molly Brown House Museum. In downtown Denver, the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall features outdoor cafes, shops, and street performances.

Coors Field

Coors Field in downtown Denver is home to the Colorado Rockies baseball team. The open-air stadium opened in 1995 and seats over 50,000 people. With its view of the Rocky Mountains beyond center field, Coors Field offers one of the most scenic settings in Major League Baseball. Learn more about Coors Field.

Coors Field Address:
2001 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205

Union Station

Denver’s Union Station first opened in 1881. The historic train station underwent major renovations in 2014 and now serves as a transportation hub, tourist attraction, retail marketplace, and dining destination. Union Station features many restaurants, shops, and bars set among its grand, neoclassical architecture.

Union Station Address:
1701 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO 80202

Union Station GPS Coordinates: 39°45’22″N 105°0’17″W

Larimer Square

Larimer Square is Denver’s oldest and most historic block, dating back to the city’s beginnings. The square was restored in the 1960s and today is home to high-end boutiques, restaurants, and nightclubs within its Victorian-era buildings. Larimer Square is located in the heart of downtown Denver.

Larimer Square Address:
Between 14th, 15th, Larimer, and Lawrence Streets, Denver, CO 80202

Larimer Square GPS Coordinates: 39°45’1″N 104°59’23″W


Transportation

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the main airport serving the city and region. Located about 25 miles northeast of downtown, DEN is the largest airport in the United States by total land area and the second-busiest in the world. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates public transportation services in Denver including local and express buses, light rail, and commuter rail lines.

Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport website

Denver International Airport Address:
8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249

Denver International Airport Phone: (303) 342-2000

Economy

Denver has a diverse economy based on federal government, energy, technology, telecommunications, aerospace, healthcare, and more. Many national corporations are headquartered in metro Denver including Chipotle, DaVita, Liberty Media, Gates Corporation, and Western Union. The city also has a vibrant craft brewing industry, with Coors Brewing Company and New Belgium Brewing Company based there.

Learn more about Denver’s economy at the Denver Economic Development Office website.

Denver Economic Development Office:

Address: 101 W. Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80202

Phone: 720-913-1999

Government

Denver has a consolidated city-county government administered by a mayor, 13 city council members, and an auditor. The current mayor of Denver is Michael Hancock, who was first elected in 2011. Denver City Hall houses the city government offices.

Denver city government website

Denver City Hall Address:
1437 Bannock St #451, Denver, CO 80202

Denver City Hall Phone: 720-865-9000

Culture and Entertainment

Known as the “Queen City of the Plains,” Denver offers a variety of performing arts, museums, festivals, and nightlife. Venues include the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Ellie Caulkins Opera House, and Paramount Theatre. Festivals range from the Five Points Jazz Festival to the Great American Beer Festival. Popular neighborhoods for nightlife include Lower Downtown (LoDo) and Cherry Creek.

Keep up with city happenings and events on the City of Denver’s Facebook page.

Sports

Denver is home to several professional and collegiate sports teams. The Colorado Rockies (MLB), Denver Broncos (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), and Colorado Mammoth (NLL) all play in Denver. The University of Denver and University of Colorado Denver also field several sports teams.

Learn more about Denver’s sports teams at the Visit Denver sports website.

Education

Denver Public Schools (DPS) is the largest and oldest public school district in Colorado, serving more than 90,000 students. In addition to DPS, there are several other school districts serving portions of Denver including Cherry Creek, Mapleton, and Adams County. Institutions of higher education located in Denver include the University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Denver Public Schools website

Denver Public Schools Address:
1860 Lincoln St, Denver, CO 80203

Denver Public Schools Phone: (720) 423-3200

Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources to help you make the most of your time in Denver:

Denver County

The City and County of Denver operates as a consolidated municipal government administered by a single mayor, council, and other officials. Denver is the county seat of Denver County and the most populous county in Colorado.

Denver County website

Denver County Address:
1437 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80202

Denver County Phone: 720-865-9000