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Denver is a clean, young, green city with over 200 parks and dozens of tree-lined boulevards. The architecture reflects the city's three boom periods: Victorian, when silver was discovered in Leadville; turn-of-the-century, when gold was discovered in Cripple Creek; and 20 years ago, when the energy boom added 16 skyscrapers to the downtown skyline in a three year period, 1980-1983.
Unlike some Western cities, Denver has a central downtown area. Here, within easy walking distance, are 5,200 hotel rooms, the city's convention complex, performing arts complex, and a wide variety of shops, department stores, restaurants, and nightspots. A mile-long pedestrian mall cuts through the heart of downtown, and is surrounded by a parks and plazas that soften the skyscrapers and provide viewpoints from which to see and appreciate the modern architecture.
Denver is on Mountain Time Zone. They adopt Eastern Daylight Savings time on the first Sunday in April and revert to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October.
Denver International Airport is among the most modern and technologically advanced airports in the world. With 53 square miles of land, it has the room to grow and accommodate the rapidly growing air travel industry. Currently 22 airlines offer nonstop service from DEN to 105 domestic cities and 11 international destinations. In 2001 alone, Midway Airlines, Jet Blue Airlines and Lufthansa German Airlines have joined the list of carriers serving DIA.
Taxi services include shared ride, flat rate, and meter services. Cabstands are located outside doors 507, 506, and 510.
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There is a common saying among Denverites: "If you don't like the weather right now, wait 15 minutes and it will change.” In Denver, the weather is always a topic for any conversation. Below are Denver's current weather details, and a six-day forecast.
Nothing about Denver is more misunderstood than the city's climate. Located just east of a high mountain barrier and a long distance from any moisture source, Denver has a mild, dry and arid climate. The city receives only 8-15 inches (20.3 - 38 cm) of precipitation a year (about the same as Los Angeles), and records 300 days of sunshine a year -- more annual hours of sun than San Diego or Miami Beach.
Winters are mild with an average daily high of 45 degrees Fahrenheit, 7 degrees Celsius in February, warmer than New York, Boston, Chicago or St. Louis. Snow does fall, but it usually melts in a short time. Golf courses remain open all year and have been played on as many as 30 days in January. Chinook winds (a wind blowing down from a mountain that gains heat as it loses elevation) can bring 60 degree F (16 degrees C) weather to Denver at any time throughout the winter.
In summer, dry relative humidity makes Denver feel cool and comfortable, offering natural air conditioning. Fall is a particularly delightful time to visit the city and make day excursions to the mountains to view the colorful changing of the aspens, an event that takes place from mid-September until mid-October.
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It is possible to connect to the Internet through the phone sockets of most hotel rooms in the United States. If you own a mobile phone contact your phone company as it may be possible to use this to connect to the Internet.
Denver, the capital of Colorado, is a consolidated city and county. It serves as the financial, transportation, and distribution center of the Rocky Mountain region. Denver was officially formed on November 7, 1861. A nonpartisan elected mayor, auditor, and 13-member city council govern Denver. Nine main departments carry out the functions of city government.
2007 Federal Legal Holidays
Denver has more than doubled in population since 1960. The City & County of Denver had a population of 554,636 in 2000, making it larger than the entire population of Wyoming (which has 480,000 people). The six-county metro area has a population of 2.4 million. Denver’s metro population has increased by 29.8% since 1990. Denver is the 20th largest metro area in America, and has the 10th largest downtown area.
The City & County of Denver has a diverse ethnic population including 11.1% African American; 31.7% Hispanic; 2.8% Asian and 1.3% Native American. Metro Denver has an ethnic population of 5% Black; 18% Hispanic; 3% Asian; 1% Native American and 3% multiracial. All of Colorado is experiencing a population boom with over 1,000,000 people moving to the state in the last decade.
Colorado’s population grew 30.5% from 1990 to 2000 with a current total of 4,301,261 residents. It was the third fastest growing state in the last decade.
Contrary to popular belief, Denver is not in the mountains; it is near them. The "Foothills" (a gentle series of peaks ranging from 7,000 to 11,000 feet high (2,133 to 3,353 meters high) start to rise 15 miles (24 kilometers) west of the city. Slightly beyond that is the Continental Divide and a series of peaks soaring to heights of 14,000 feet, (4,267 meters) known locally as the "Front Range.” Denver itself is located on high, rolling plains.
Although considered "Western" in character, Denver is actually located in the center of the country, just 346 miles (557 km) west of the exact center of the continental United States. With the exception of Kansas City, Denver is closer to the exact center of the nation than any other metropolitan area. The 15th step on the west side of the State Capitol Building is exactly 5,268 feet (1,609 m) -- one mile -- above sea level.
Cars are almost a necessity in the Denver area. Major strides are happening in the public transportation system with a 14-mile light rail system inaugurated. On July 1, 2000. RTD has more than 170 bus routes, a 14-mile light rail line, and a variety of special transportation services designed to meet your needs. Light rail is inexpensive, too- Local service is only 75¢ on weekends and during off-peak hours. Express service is $2.00. You'll also avoid the hassle and expense of parking in downtown Denver when you take light rail. You can park your car free at one of seven light rail park-n-Ride lots, or take an RTD bus to a light rail station.
Fares for light rail are divided into two categories: Local and Express.
Passengers who do not travel across the fare boundary line at Hampden Avenue are charged the applicable peak or off-peak Local fare.
Northbound: Express fare is required at all times for passengers who board at the Oxford Station and all stations south, and travel north of Hampden Avenue.
Southbound: Express fare is required at all times for passengers who board at the Englewood Station and all stations north, and travel south of Hampden Avenue.
| Southwest Line | |
|---|---|
| Littleton/Mineral Station to Downtown Denver 5:30 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays |
every 5-10 minutes |
| Before 5:30 a.m. and after 11:30 p.m. includes Saturdays, Sundays & holidays |
every 15-30 mins |
| All other times includes Saturdays, Sundays, & holidays |
every 15 minutes |
Located in a spectacular setting at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is one of America's fastest growing cities -- and one of its most exciting. The Mile High City entertains over 8.8 million visitors a year with people coming to enjoy the city's outstanding cultural attractions, museums, shopping, dining and nightlife. Denver is a clean, young and green city with over 200 parks and dozens of tree-lined boulevards. The architecture reflects the city's three boom periods: Victorian, when silver was discovered in Leadville; turn-of-the-century, when gold was discovered in Cripple Creek; and contemporary, when the energy boom added 16 skyscrapers to the downtown skyline in a three year period, 1980-1983.
Unlike some Western cities, Denver has a central downtown area. Here, within easy walking distance, are 5,200 hotel rooms, the city's convention complex, performing arts complex, and a wide variety of shops, department stores, restaurants, and nightspots. Also within easy walking distance are some of the city's top attractions including the U.S. Mint, Denver Art Museum and Colorado History Museum. A mile-long pedestrian mall cuts through the heart of downtown Denver and is surrounded by a series of parks and plazas that soften the towering skyscrapers and provide viewpoints from which to see and appreciate the modern architecture.
Lower Downtown (called "LoDo" by locals) is on the northern edge of downtown Denver and offers one of the nation's greatest concentrations of Victorian buildings and warehouses, many of which have been refurbished to house restaurants, art galleries, offices and shops. This is the center of the city's brew pubs, with six large brew pubs and micro breweries, each brewing six to eight exclusive beers, all within easy walking distance of each other. Downtown is also the home of Auraria Campus where three colleges have over 30,000 students.
In May of 1995, Six Flags Elitch Gardens moved to downtown Denver with a year-round amusement park similar to Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens offering 48 thrill rides, formal gardens, restaurants and shops. Also, in May 1995, downtown Denver unveiled a new 50,000-seat stadium, Coors Field, for the Colorado Rockies, Denver's Major League Baseball team. Another large attraction in this area is Colorado’s Ocean Journey, a large aquarium that features salt and fresh water animal life, which opened on June 21, 1999.
The Mile High Trail is a series of six walking tours throughout the downtown area. Copies can be obtained from the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau Information Center in the Tabor Center, located on the 16th Street Mall.
Denver has some of the finest museums in the West with a wide variety of historical, western, artistic and horticultural emphasis.
The Colorado State Capitol stands a mile above sea level with a plaque on the 15th step to mark the spot that is 5,280 feet (1,609 m) high. The dome is covered with 200 ounces of pure gold and offers a beautiful view from the rotunda of the entire Front Range, from Pikes Peak, all the way north to the Wyoming border, a distance of over 150 miles (241 km). Free tours on weekdays of the beautiful rooms and appointments. (303) 866-2604.We recommend you cjeck Gay Denver.com for the latest in the the Denver Scene.
Denver has over 2,000 restaurants serving all varieties of cuisine. Area specialties include Rocky Mountain Trout, fresh Colorado beef, and lamb (Colorado is the fourth largest producer of lamb in the US).
Another popular local dish is buffalo. High in protein, lower in fat, calories and cholesterol than chicken, buffalo is gaining popularity among health conscious diners and is offered at numerous restaurants in Denver. Among the restaurants serving buffalo are the historic Buckhorn Exchange, the oldest saloon and restaurant in the city with a unique dining room covered with 500 stuffed animal heads; the Denver Buffalo Company, which has an art gallery, gift shop and western wear store attached; and The Fort, which is housed in a reproduction of Bent's Old Fort, a fur trapper's post on the Santa Fe Trail.
As the largest city in a 600-mile (966 km) radius, Denver has always been the shopping capital of the Rocky Mountain West. The city features the largest sporting goods store in the world (Gart Brothers Sports Castle) and the largest independent bookstore in America with over 400,000 volumes (the Tattered Cover).
Just a short distance from Denver, there are beautiful mountains that everyone should make an effort to explore. Their beauty and scenery are unsurpassed. I have suggested a route that accentuates the beauty of the region and avoids traffic. Beware of I - 70 traffic on Sunday afternoons heading back into town.
Get on highway 470 (that circles Denver) and take it to 285 south. The four-lane highway narrows to two (although there were signs that they are making it four lanes all the way) and try to enjoy the scenic route. Take your time and camera, as you will witness the most pristine mountain scenery. You will go through Kenosha Pass (elevation 10001 feet) and Red Hill Pass (elevation 9993 feet) on your way to Fair play. At Fair play turn north on highway 9. You will reach Hoosier Pass (elevation 11482 feet) on your way to Breckenridge. If you are short on time this is a good place for lunch, otherwise keep going north to the junction of I -70 and go west another 25 miles to Vail.
Take the second of the three Vail exits (at mile 176 where the Ski Museum is) and proceed to the parking lot. Park, and head towards Vail Village. I strongly recommend lunch at an outdoor restaurant in the heart of Vail Village, only steps away from the Vista Bahn, and the ski slopes in the Gasthof Gramshammer Lodge.
After lunch, take a stroll through the village. Make sure you stop at Gorsuch Ltd., 263 E. Gore Creek Drive, Vail 81657. Tel 970-476-2294, where you can select from the best supply of ski gear and equipment.
Once you have satisfied your shopping needs, head back east on I - 70 to Denver. If you have the time, I would suggest getting off at Idaho Springs on Highway 103 south to Echo Lake. Stop there, refurbish with coffee, and admire the scenery. Stay on 103 as it heads east and go through Squaw Pass (elevation 9807) and go to the junction of Highway 74. Take 74 south to Evergreen, a charming mountain town. From there go back to Highway 470 and back to your hotel in Denver.
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