Denver overview

From Underdog to Destination in its Own Right, Denver Has Appeal for All Travelers Today

It took grit to put Denver on the map in 1858 when miners and settlers saw more appeal in the mountains than the plains. Over the years, civic leaders saw the value in investing in outdoor spaces and culture to make the city appealing to generations of locals and visitors.

Mindy Sink

30 May 2023

Denver lies on the east side of the Rocky Mountains that stretch from north to south across the state of Colorado and beyond. This more heavily populated part of Colorado is referred to as The Front Range after its topographic location related to the mountains (conversely, the city of Grand Junction on the western side of the mountains is in an area commonly called The Western Slope). In its early days, Denver received the nickname, “Queen City of the Plains,” and also “Paris on the Platte,” as the South Platte River flows just west of downtown, and early politicians wanted it to be as beautiful as France with municipal gardens created. The city was founded near the confluence of what is now called Cherry Creek and the South Platte River when miners panning for gold discovered a few flakes of the riches. The area had been home to Native American tribes first. Ultimately, deep veins of silver and other metals were found up in the mountains and Denver was able to establish itself as a supply town and eventually as a place for the new millionaires to invest in grand homes and the arts. As Denver endured many boom-and-bust cycles over the years, new generations saw fresh appeal and made the city more alluring. Museums were established and expanded, sports teams have flourished and become favorites for surrounding states that haven’t had quite the same popularity with their home teams, and easy access to outdoor recreation as a lifestyle exploded, making Denver an ideal all-around city.

Embracing Cowboy Roots With City Style

An important annual event in Denver is the National Western Stock Show, which brings people from ranching communities across the West to celebrate this culture. Why here in the middle of a city? It started back in 1906 and continues today, reminding everyone that this is the informal capital of the West, which is known for its wide open spaces where ranchers can raise thousands of heads of cattle, wild horses still run free, and other livestock is raised generation after generation in many families.

The view of the Rocky Mountains has inspired designers who come to make their imprint on the city. Does the Denver International Airport look like the mountain peaks to you?

While cowboy culture is not prominent in modern Denver, it’s not uncommon to see men or women in their cowboy boots and hats, maybe men sporting a bolo tie, or sharing a hiking trail in the nearby foothills with equestrians as well as cyclists.

Just as cowboys and ranchers have done, modern outdoor recreationists are embracing what Mother Nature offers here and making the most of it. With over 300 days of sunshine, it’s easy to be a year-round cyclist and hiker while living in the city and still enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter sports by driving into the mountains for a day.

In a nutshell, the character of Denver is all about embracing the natural elements and incorporating them into all you do here – a way of life that is embraced by architects, artists, athletes and everyday Denver folk.

The Diversity of Religion in Denver

Many of the early residents of Denver were Catholic and the number of large churches around the city are a testament to their commitment to having houses of worship. Yet there are also many historic Baptist and Methodist churches here, as well as synagogues, mosques, and other places for people of different religions to feel at home.

City Guides Subpage Article Illustration below text

A 2020 study by the Public Religion Research Institute found that while the majority of the counties surrounding Denver had white evangelical Christians, the diversity was greater than in other parts of the United States, based on their “religious diversity scores.” The study showed that more and more people here—and elsewhere—are identifying their religion as “none” when asked.

Be Respectful of the Rules While in Denver

Let’s talk about cannabis. In 2012, Colorado became one of the first states to legalize the use of recreational marijuana. This created a booming tourism industry as people flocked here to get high. There was one small catch: marijuana could not be consumed openly in public. This led to many businesses providing private spaces to get stoned—from limousines to yoga classes. You must be 21 to purchase or use marijuana in Colorado, and it is illegal to drive a vehicle while high.

You must be 21 years of age to buy or drink alcohol in Denver and have an ID to prove it. It is illegal to drive while intoxicated and there are fines and jail time for people caught driving under the influence.

Many Industries Drive Denver’s Economy

Tech industries include advanced manufacturing, aerospace, bioscience, electronics, energy and natural resources, engineering, and technology while lifestyle industries encompass creative businesses, food and agriculture, outdoor recreation, tourism, and health and wellness.

Visitors to Denver may come across some aspects of these dominant industries when visiting museums, exploring state parks, attending an annual event like the National Western Stock Show, or dining out for a meal.

The Mile High City and Your Health

Denver is a good place to acclimate to higher altitudes. Situated at 5,280 feet above sea level, Denver has made a name for itself as being one mile high. For people coming from lower altitudes, the effects of altitude can be anywhere from subtle to extreme and come on without warning. For those traveling on to the mountains, it can help to adjust to increases in elevation gradually so a night or two in Denver is advised before visiting mountain towns with elevations over 10,000 feet above sea level.

Come Prepared

Bring a travel bag with a spot for a water bottle so you always have hydration with you as the increased elevation and drier air can bring on thirst.

Symptoms of altitude sickness can include or be limited to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, or nausea. Many people experience nosebleeds at higher elevations, though it’s not usually listed as a symptom. Conversely, many athletes come to Denver specifically to train at high altitude. Hydrate, drink responsibly and rest if you need to as you adjust to life at a higher altitude on the first few days of your trip.

While in Denver, you will hear many urban legends about the thin air – some truer than others. To start you off (decide for yourself if you believe it or not) – it is said that baseballs fly faster in Denver on account of the thin air.

About the author

Mindy SinkGuidebook author and travel writer Mindy has lived in Denver most of her life and is the author of a few guidebooks about the city and other places in Colorado. She loves to travel with her husband and their daughter in places where they can explore on foot, including hiking. Mindy writes frequently for The Denver Post about finding adventures in your own backyard.