Denver is the natural gateway to the beauty, romance and history of the American West. The city was born during the great "Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush" of 1859 when flakes of placer gold were found where the South Platte River meets Cherry Creek. Almost overnight, more than 30,000 people crossed the Great Plains to head for the Mile High City.

In its first few years, Denver survived a flood, two major fires, several Native American attacks and even raised an army that defeated an invading force of Confederates from Texas during the Civil War. 

With the discovery of more gold in the mountains, Denver became a boomtown. Saloons, gambling halls and wagon trains lined the mud-filled streets and every outlaw, lawman and desperado in the West made a visit.

The turn of the century brought respectability and the wealth of the mountains was poured into parks, fountains, grand theatres, statues, tree-lined streets and elaborate mansions. Denver became the most elegant city in a 1,000-mile radius and was known as the "Queen City of the Plains." 

In recent years, Denver’s beautiful location and ideal four season climate started a building boom that has seen the city more than double in population since 1960.  In the 1990s alone, Denver grew by 30 percent – the equivalent of 1,000 new residents every week for the entire decade.

The city’s colorful history can be explored in a number of locations. LoDo (Lower Downtown) has 120 historic buildings from the Victorian era, many of which have been transformed into restaurants, nightclubs and art galleries.

At the Colorado History Museum (www.coloradohistory.org), visitors can get a glimpse of what life was like for pioneers, Native Americans, soldiers, cowboys and miners who have called Colorado home over the years, while the state’s fascinating railroad history is highlighted at the Colorado Railroad Museum (www.crrm.org). An outstanding Western art collection including a vast exhibit of Native American textiles, pottery and contemporary works provide a vivid look at Western history at the Denver Art Museum (www.denverartmuseum.org).

One third of cowboys on the great cattle drives of the 19th century were African American – their legacy is told at the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center (www.blackamericanwest.org) Museo de las Americas