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	Denver, Colorado

One mile above sea level, at the juxtaposition of the great plains and the Colorado Rocky Mountains lies the city of Denver. Denver is a cosmopolitan city under the spell of its alpine surroundings and richly flavored by its old west, mining and agricultural heritage. Denver has a population of 500,000 with 1.8 million people in the surrounding area and is often referred to as the Mile High City, or the Queen City of the Plains.

History and Economy

Before the pioneers settled the Denver area, this part of Colorado was a buffalo hunting ground for the Cheyenne and the Arapaho. Initially when the easterners came to the area the First Peoples reached out a hand of friendship. As the area was settled and treaties were broken the relationship between the two groups deteriorated. In 1864 at Sand Creek many peaceful Arapahoe and Cheyenne men, women and children were brutally massacred.

Gold Rush

In 1858 word of a gold discovery in Cherry Creek spread. Soon fortune seekers were heading west. Miners gathered and pitched their tents beside Cherry Creek near the South Platte River. Out of this rough and tough gold miners' camp the hamlets of Denver City and Auraria were formed. These communities straddled Cherry Creek and were separated not only by water but by bitter disputes. These long running disputes kept the rival communities apart until the hamlets suffered from an extremely harsh winter. In order to survive the two hamlets overlooked their differences, merged and became Denver. Denver became capital of the new Colorado Territory in 1861.

	Panning for Gold

The rush of 1858 turned out to be small and many disappointed gold rushers became homegoers and headed back east. In 1859 a larger gold find brought more gold seekers to the area. The completion of the Denver Pacific Railroad and later the Kansas Pacific Railway brought expansion and population growth to the area. With the discovery of silver Denver became a wealthy mining town. Then the 1893 bottoming out of the silver market brought the local economy crashing down into a depression.

The following year the Cripple Creek gold reserves were discovered and the economy recovered. This volatile economy was difficult and the Denver leaders realized that diversification would help stabilize it. Denver underwent a transformation into respectability. Brothels were closed and beautification of the city became important. This change in atmosphere paved the way for agriculture and tourism.

Years later when WWII broke out Denver became a producer of munitions. Coal and Oil became a facet of the economy. In the '90s the building of the massive Denver International Airport positioned Denver as an air travel hub. Today oil and gas, manufacturing, high tech, tourism and transportation dominate the economic landscape.

Climate

	State Flower

Denver has a comfortable arid climate where golf courses can remain open year round. The city receives only 8-15 inches (20.3 - 38 cm) of precipitation and records 300 days of sunshine a year. Winters are mild with an average daily high of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. (7 degrees Celsius) It snows in Denver but usually the snow melts in a short time. Chinook winds, a warm wind that blows in over the mountains, can turn any winter day into a balmy 60 degree F (16 degrees C). In the summer Denver is relatively cool and comfortable with temperatures highs between 73-80 degrees F (23 - 27 degrees C).

Transportation

Denver International Airport is 23 miles (37 kilometers) northeast of Downtown. Opening in 1995, this massive airport has turned Denver into a national air travel hub and is one of the nations' busiest airports. Traveling from the airport to the city can be accomplished via taxi, limo, shuttle bus or the city bus. Car rental agencies are also available right at the airport. Amtrak and Greyhound operate in the Denver area. There is a public transportation system in Denver that serves the city and its suburbs. This effective bus and light rail system is referred to as, The Ride.

Attractions

	Joggers

Outdoor Activities abound. Denver is known as having the thinnest population in the USA. Perhaps this is due to the incredible recreational opportunities that Denverites have at their disposal. Within the city of Denver there are over 200 miles of running and bicycle paths weaving throughout the many parks and green spaces. Free tennis courts are available throughout the city and for golf enthusiasts there are many public golf courses.

Skiers enjoying the Colorado Rockies

In the nearby foothills and mountains there are a plethora of activities - skiing, boarding, hiking, river rafting, hang gliding, rock climbing - each season has its own recreational smorgasbord. Visitors who neglect to bring along all their sports equipment can rent just about anything from one of the many sports equipment rental shops in Denver.

The Black American West Museum began as a hobby of Paul Stewart. As a child playing Cowboys, he was told there was no such thing as a Black cowboy. After meeting a real Black cowboy who drove cattle at the turn of the century, Paul recognized that African Americans played a significant part in the settling of the American west. He made it his mission to gather information about the cowboys and settlers that history books did not mention. Legal documents, photos, letters, newspapers, stories, and other memorabilia piece together the rich history and the valuable contribution African Americans made in settling the west. The exhibit is located in the home of Dr. Justina Ford, the first African American doctor in Denver.

	Cowboy Boots

Buffalo Bill's Grave & Museum is filled with artifacts honoring the famous western scout and showman William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody. William F. Cody left home at a young age. As a youth his adventures included cattle drives, fur trading, gold mining and a mail deliverer for the Pony Express. William gained notoriety and the nickname Buffalo Bill while serving as a scout during the Civil War. This popular western adventurer's fame increased with the creation and world touring of his Authentic Wild West Show. Buffalo Bill died in Denver and amidst some controversy was buried upon Lookout Mountain. A few years after Buffalo Bill's burial a museum honoring this famous frontiersman was created at the gravesite. Buffalo Bill's resting place has a panoramic view of the mountains, the plains and the city. Millions of visitors have made the journey to the gravesite of one of North American's most famous Western figures.

The Molly Brown House honors the memory of Molly Brown, heroine of the Titanic disaster. During the wreck of the Titanic Molly Brown took a leadership role and was said to have kept fellow passengers from life threatening panic. A colorful figure during the heady gold rush of Denver, the nouveau rich Molly Brown surrounded herself with beautiful things. Memorabilia from her colorful life are displayed in her meticulously restored home.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre, located 15 miles (23 kilometers) west of Denver, is a wonderful place to hike, picnic, and listen to concerts. This natural amphitheater is carved out of red sandstone cliffs and offers great acoustics, a distinctive setting and a beautiful view. Red Rocks has hosted famous artists such as the Beatles, U2 and Lyle Lovett as well as top symphony orchestras from around the world. This concert venue is very special. The atmosphere at a Red Rocks concert on a summer night with the lights of Denver twinkling in the background is truly enchanting.