Denver is the Mile High City with its official elevation exactly 5280 feet (1,609m). Situated on the High Plains just 15 miles east of where the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains soar skywards, Denver downtown is where Cherry Creek and the South Platte River meet. It’s the capital city of Colorado and is very much the gateway to the state’s fabulous skiing and recreational attractions.
The modern city contrasts with Denver's long reputation as not much more than a cow town. Yet that's how the city feels for a couple of weeks in January when Denver hosts the world's biggest rodeo. Today, however, it's a thriving modern city with a high-rise centre featuring 21st Century industries.
With its near neighbors Boulder and Aurora, the Denver conurbation has a population of almost 3million. As it’s over 600 miles in any direction to another city of comparable size, Denver is naturally a major transport, sports and commercial hub with one of the largest airports in the world.
It's a young, highly educated city. Denver boasts that its workforce is about the best educated in the country. It's growing rapidly too as many relocate from the likes of California, attracted by the climate and the great outdoors that sit just beyond the city to the west.
The sun shines on Denver for over 300 days a year - that's more sunshine than southern California - and there's only around 15in of precipitation a year, some admittedly in heavy dumps of snow that can cause winter disruption.
It’s also a great city to visit for a short break with much to enjoy before you set out westwards to the mountains and famous Colorado resorts like Aspen, Breckinridge, Telluride and Vail. It's also a great starting point for driving tours across the west, a little like the heroes of Jack Kerouac's On the Road novel.
