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Denver is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. The Mile High City lies just 12 miles east of the Front Range, and as a result, Denver residents enjoy world-class skiing, rock climbing, hiking and biking trails. The city of nearly 650,000 has welcomed visitors since its inception as a mining and supply town for the gold rush in the mid-19th century. Denver has been growing steadily ever since.
While growing families occupy the surrounding suburbs, Denver is an oasis for the youthful and unattached. The city population is young, with only 30 percent over the age of 45. Professionals thrive in Denver, the city has topped Forbes' list of the Best Places for Business and Careers. Denver's economy is propelled by a mix of old and new. Its geographical location means railroads are still big business, while the growing presence of high-tech companies pump up the local economy.
The proximity to the mountains means anything goes in terms of outdoor activities. Denver is home to 78 neighborhoods and more than 200 city parks and designated open spaces. The neighborhoods range from post-WWII housing communities to skyscrapers and office buildings. Transportation around town is an easy task by bicycle, as Denver ranks among the most bicycle-friendly cities in the U.S., with more than 250 miles of designated bicycle lanes. The public transportation system is among the best in the country, linking Denver to the surrounding areas by way of busses and light rail. Hundreds of daily busses service eight surrounding counties.
Denver's museums and performing arts centers garner national recognition for their collections, as well as their unique designs. Small art galleries line the neighborhood of LoDo (Lower Downtown), mixing perfectly with lively bars serving locally brewed beer. For music lovers, a show at Fiddler's Green or the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater makes for an unforgettable night. The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo honors the city's cowboy heritage every January. After checking out the cowboys, don't forget to cheer on the Denver Broncos, the local NFL team. Denver is home to some of the most raucous sports fans in the country, all supporting the hometown teams: Broncos (NFL), Rockies (MLB), Nuggets (NBA) and Avalanche (NHL).
