Denver, city, capital of Colorado and seat of Denver County, located on the plains at the junction of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek, in the central part of the state; incorporated 1861. Known as the Mile High City because of its altitude of about 1 mi (about 1.6 km), it is coextensive with Denver County and is part of a large metropolitan area that also includes the city of Boulder.
Economy
Denver is the commercial, manufacturing, financial, and transportation center for an important ranching and mining region of the Rocky Mountains. The city contains one of the largest sheep markets in the world, is one of the most important cattle markets west of the Mississippi River, is a regional headquarters for several U.S. government agencies, and has many firms engaged in the research and development of high-technology items. Major manufactures include rubber products; processed food; electronic devices; building materials; luggage; mining, aerospace, and railroad equipment; and chemicals. Within the city and nearby are such military installations as the National Air Force Finance Center, the U.S. Army Fitzsimons General Hospital, and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, all of which provide important income to the city. Tourism also contributes greatly to the municipal economy.
Denver is served by major airlines operating out of the new Denver International Airport, transcontinental railroad lines, intercity and interstate buses, and interstate truck lines.
Educational and Cultural Institutions
Denver is the site of the University of Denver (1864), the University of Colorado at Denver (1912), the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (1924), Regis College (1877), Metropolitan State College of Denver (1965), Saint Thomas Seminary (1907), Iliff School of Theology (1889), Denver Seminary (1950), and Yeshiva Toras Chaim Talmudical Seminary (1967).
Major cultural institutions in the city include the Denver Art Museum; the Denver Museum of Natural History, Gates Planetarium, and the Denver Zoo, located in City Park; the State Historical Society of Colorado; the Colorado Heritage Center; and the Boettcher Memorial Conservatory and the Denver Botanic Gardens, adjoining Cheesman Park. Among other points of interest are the Civic Center; Elitch Gardens, with intricate floral designs; the State Capitol, a Corinthian-style granite structure built from 1887 to 1895; and a major branch of the U.S. Mint, which was opened here in 1906. Also of note are the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Bonfils Memorial Theatre, and Mile High Stadium. Denver also supports a symphony orchestra and several theater groups.
History
In the late 1850s the area of present-day Denver served as an outfitting point for gold prospectors. From the temporary settlements founded here developed the towns of Auraria and Saint Charles. The latter subsequently was renamed Denver City, for the territorial governor, James W. Denver (1817-92), and in 1860 the two communities were consolidated. The city was selected as the territorial capital in 1867, and it prospered in the 1870s and 1880s as a result of the discovery of rich gold and silver deposits in the area and the coming of the railroad. The city began a major redevelopment program in the 1960s.
Population: 492,365 (1980); 467,610 (1990); 554,636 (2000).
