Denver

Denver 

Known as the "Mile High" city because of its elevation, Denver was settled at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek as a result of a gold discovery there that sparked the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859.   Denver is bounded on the West by the beautiful snow-capped mountains of the Front Range and on the East by the High Plains of the Midwest. Today it is the largest metroplex in the Rocky Mountain region -- a sophisticated city of over 2 million people with industries ranging from high tech, defense, oil, publishing, tourism, and many others.

Denver has a number of noteworthy features that distinguish it from other large cities in the U.S.  Its scenic natural setting is augmented by an extensive park system.  The High Line Canal, surrounded by a greenbelt with hiking trails, winds through the city for 66 miles from the Southwest to the Northeast, offering residents and visitors abundant opportunities for experiencing "country" in the city.  Denver also has a unique series of Mountain Parks in the adjacent foothills.  The dramatic geology of the area has led to the development of some unusual facilities, such as Red Rocks Amphitheater, which is an outdoor performing arts center carved into the red rock outcroppings of the Rocky Mountains.  Denver also has an art museum with one of the best collections of Native American art and artifacts to be found in the country.  The Denver Museum of Nature and Science, founded in 1900, is the fifth busiest museum of its kind in the U.S.  Denver also supports seven professional sports teams in football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and indoor football.  In the past few years Denver has built a new light rail system - one of the few in the West -- that extends from the city center into the suburbs.

As expected in a city of its size, Denver has numerous major suburban shopping centers, such as Cherry Creek Mall and Park Meadows.  In downtown Denver, LoDo (Lower Downtown) and 16th Street Mall are very popular gathering places with many specialty restaurants and shops.  In addition to the attractions mentioned above, there are many other interesting places to visit.  Key attractions are listed below.

Denver hosts many major annual events.  These include the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in January, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in July, and the Taste of Colorado in September.  In September and October there are the Great American Beer Festival and Oktoberfest.  The Parade of Lights is held in December accompanied by a spectacular Christmas light display on the City and County Building. 

Location:

North Central Colorado at the junction of I-25 and I-70  

Near the foothills of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with the Great Plains stretching east;  at the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek

5,280 feet 

The average high temperature in July is 84 degrees (F), dropping into the 50's at night.  The average high temperature in January is 45 degrees, dropping into the 20's at night.

Population:

Approximately 555,000;  2.4 million in six county metro area

Air and ground transportation, telecommunications, aerospace, energy, manufacturing, publishing, banking, state and federal government, education, health services, professonal sports, and tourism

Denver Metro Convention and Visitor's Bureau:  (800)233-6837, http://www.denver.org/

Denver, CO