Denver

Denver is the capital and most populous city of the state of Colorado, United States. It sits in the South Platte River Valley just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. With an elevation of about 5,280 feet, it is commonly known as the Mile High City.

Founded in 1858 during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush as a mining camp, Denver grew rapidly and became the Colorado Territory capital and, since statehood in 1876, the state capital. The city developed as a regional hub for commerce, transportation, and government.

Denver lies on the High Plains and has a semi-arid climate with dry conditions, abundant sunshine, four distinct seasons, and large diurnal temperature ranges. Winter and summer can be quite variable, with average winter highs in the 40s Fahrenheit and summer highs in the 80s. Annual precipitation is around 15–20 inches, concentrated in late spring and summer.

The economy is diverse, with sectors including aerospace, technology, bioscience, energy, healthcare, finance, and hospitality. Denver is a major transportation hub, with Denver International Airport (DEN) serving as a primary gateway; Interstates 25 and 70 connect the city to the region, and the RTD provides light rail and bus service.

Cultural and educational institutions include the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, along with a growing performing arts scene. Notable neighborhoods include LoDo (Lower Downtown) and RiNo (River North), with attractions such as the 16th Street Mall, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Coors Field.

The city is home to the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Denver. The Denver metropolitan area is diverse and growing, with a sizable Hispanic and Latino population and expanding immigrant communities.