Denver, the Mile High City, is known for its stunning Rocky Mountain views, love of the outdoors, and a thriving craft beer scene. But beyond the familiar sights, this vibrant city hides intriguing secrets and some surprising tales. Let’s uncover some!
- It’s Really a Mile High: The 13th step of the Colorado State Capitol building sits precisely 5,280 feet above sea level, marking the official “mile high” mark.
- Cheeseburger Paradise?: The cheeseburger was quite possibly invented at Denver’s Louis Ballast Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in 1935.
- Wild West Past: Once a rough and tumble mining town, Buffalo Bill Cody and outlaw Doc Holliday are among the famous figures of Denver’s past.
- Unsinkable Molly Brown: The famed Titanic survivor and activist Margaret “Molly” Brown was a Denver socialite. Her house is now a museum.
- Home of the Teddy Bear: A teddy bear was inspired by President Theodore (“Teddy”) Roosevelt after a hunting trip near the Colorado-Mississippi border.
- World’s Largest Rodeo: Denver hosts the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo, a massive annual event celebrating cowboy culture.
- It’s Surprisingly Sunny: Denver boasts over 300 days of sunshine per year, more than Miami or San Diego!
- Federal Gold Stash: The Denver Mint holds a significant portion of the US gold reserves, like a real-life Fort Knox.
- Omelet Legacy: The giant 12-egg omelet was likely invented in Denver to feed hungry miners, now a quirky brunch tradition.
- Olympic City…That Wasn’t: Denver won the bid to host the 1976 Winter Olympics, but ultimately withdrew, the only city to ever do so.
- Airport Art Conspiracies: The Denver International Airport’s murals and bizarre gargoyle statues fuel wild conspiracy theories.
- Blue Bear Peeking In: A giant blue bear sculpture playfully peeks into the windows of the Denver Convention Center.
- “Colfax” Legend (or Infamy): Colfax Avenue is the longest continuous street in America, running through Denver and beyond. It has a colorful past and is changing.
- Book Burros: In the early 1900s, librarians in the mountains used burros to deliver books to remote communities.
- Haunted Capitol? Some claim the Colorado State Capitol Building is haunted, with mysterious footsteps and eerie sightings reported.