Denver, Colo.

Mayor: Michael B. Hancock (to July 2015)

2010 census population (rank): 600,158 (26); Male: 300,089 (50.5%); Female: 300,069 (49.5%); White: 413,696 (63.1%); Black: 61,435 (9.9%); American Indian and Alaska Native: 8,237 (1.2%); Asian: 20,433 (3.1%); Other race: 71,191 (9.2%); Two or more races: 24,559 (2.8%); Hispanic/Latino: 190,965 (34.7%). 2010 population 18 and over: 471,392; 65 and over: 62,132; Median age: 33.

2005 population estimate (rank): 557,917 (25)

See additional census data

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) April 2006 1,338,200²;

Unemployed: 58,300²,

Percent: 4.4²;

Per capita personal income (MSA) 2004: $40,939²

Chamber of Commerce: Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1445 Market Street, Denver, CO 80202

1. Metropolitan area.

2. Denver–Aurora, Colo.

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.

Denver hosted the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

See also Encyclopedia: Denver.

Selected famous natives and residents:

Tim Allen comedian and actor;
Ward Bond actor;
Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. actor;
John Hart newsman;
Pat Hingle actor;
Ted Mack TV host;
Barbara Rush actress;
Alan K. Simpson U.S. senator;
Paul Whiteman bandleader;
Don Wilson announcer.

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