Denver
is the largest city in Colorado, the state capital, and the seat of Denver County.
It lies at the foot of the Rocky Mountains at the junction of the South Platte
River and Cherry Creek.
The
city was born in 1858, when gold was discovered in the sands of Cherry Creek,
at first just a tough village of cabins, shacks, and tents. It was incorporated
as a city in 1861 and became the territorial capital in 1867. The city is named
for James W. Denver, governor of the Kansas Territory, which included part of
Colorado. The city prospered following the opening of the famous gold and silver
mines of the 1870s and 1880s.
Today,
Denver is an important communications, transportation, manufacturing, and agribusiness
hub. Telecommunications and biomedical technology are two of the largest industries;
construction, real estate, and retail trade are among the fastest-growing industries.
The city is also home to many environmental organizations, including federal government
agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
Denver
International Airport opened to passenger traffic in 1995. At 53 sq mi, it is
the largest airport in North America.
The
city's tourist attractions include the Denver Zoo, the Six Flags Elitch Gardens
amusement park, the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the Coors Brewery, and nearby Rocky
Mountain National Park.
Mayor:
John Hickenlooper (to June 2007)
2000
census population (rank): 554,636 (25); % change: 18.6; Male: 280,207 (50.5%);
Female: 274,429 (49.5%); White: 362,180 (65.3%); Black: 61,649 (11.1%); American
Indian and Alaska Native: 7,290 (1.3%); Asian: 15,611 (2.8%); Other race: 86,464
(15.6%); Two or more races: 20,794 (3.7%); Hispanic/Latino: 175,704 (31.7%). 2000
percent population 18 and over: 78.0%; 65 and over: 11.3%; Median age: 33.1.
2004
population estimate (rank): 556,835 (25)
Land
area: 155 sq mi. (401 sq km);
Alt.:
Highest, 5,672 ft.; lowest, 5,140 ft.
Avg.
daily temp.: Jan., 29.7° F; July, 73.5° F
Churches1:
Protestant, 859; Roman Catholic, 60; Jewish, 13;
City-owned
parks: 301 (5,100 ac.);
City-owned
mountain parks: 40 (13,600 ac.);
Radio
stations1: AM, 23; FM, 20;
Television
stations1: 10
Civilian
Labor Force (PMSA) March 2005 1,270,0002;
Unemployed:
73,0002,
Percent:
5.72;
Per
capita personal income (MSA) 2003: $39,2032
Chamber
of Commerce: Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1445 Market Street, Denver,
CO 80202
