Denver, Colorado History

From its beginnings as a gold mining town during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush in 1858 to its evolution into one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the country today, Denver is steeped in history. Delve into the past at Denver’s many museums, galleries, tours and attractions and meet the movers and shakers who shaped the city: cowboys and cattle ranchers, jazz legends and Beat poets, railroad barons and craft brewers, artists and activists.

Interior shot of the Black American West Museum

African American Heritage

February may be the official Black History Month, but in Denver, the rich heritage of the city's African American residents past and present is celebrated year-round. The Mile High City and its...

Learn More

One of Colorado's many historic trains, the Georgetown Loop Railroad.

Denver's Railroad History

With eight new restaurants, two bars, a hotel and a half acre of splashing water fountains, The Mile High City's glittering newly refurbished Union Station has already become the center of...

Learn More

Historic photo of Buffalo Bill Cody and a group of Native Americans.

Early Denver History

In the summer of 1858, a small group of prospectors from Georgia crossed the great plains of the Colorado Territory and made a region-changing discovery at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Gold. And...

Learn More

Gold Rush Denver: The REAL Old West

The mere whisper of gold was enough to start a veritable stampede into the region. After all, the California Gold Rush had occurred just nine years earlier. You can still get a taste of Denver's...

Learn More