City Profile

Originally known as St.Charles, and then Denver City, and finally Denver (1867). Also known as "Mile High City", Denver is 5,280 feet (1,609 metres) above sea level, and is located where the South Platte River meets Cherry Creek, on the fringe of the Great Plains, east of the front of the Rocky Mountains. Denver is the capital of Colorado and has a population of a little more than 700,000 (as at 1998).

Denver, and the state of Colorado are well known internationally through the talents of local singer John Denver, who immortalised many fine songs about his home state before being tragically killed in a plane crash. Denver's history has been rocky, with a series of gold and silver booms, and busts, and fights with the Indian population . The city was destroyed by fire during the Civil War, and in 1864 extensive flooding destroyed many of the buildings in town, including the city hall. The city, from the 1870s, was serviced by two railroads, one of which was built by the citizens of Denver. Leading up to the 1890s, with the two railroads developed, and an extraordinary boom in silver prices, the growth of Denver exploded. Like most booms though, it ended. The price of silver collapsed in 1893, taking many of the local businesses, banks, silver mines and smelters with it.

The early 1890s generally saw a virtual depression, not only across the U.S., but in most parts of the world, as commodities, property prices, population growth and development peaked. Gold and silver mining and exploration has continued on, with the city adjusting to the 'booms and busts'. Other industries have been spawned, particularly in agriculture and, more recently, tourism. Colorado is a popular destination for travellers, particularly skiers, and Denver remains the key regional hub, housing numerous international and domestic brand hotels, motels and other accommodations.