The City of Denver has come a long way since it was founded in 1858. What was once a city with only a few buildings, sparse trees, and a small number of permanent residents, Denver is now the largest and most metropolitan city in the Rocky Mountain region.

The population of the Denver-Metro area, which hit almost 3 million in 2006, has access to many city-supported amenities. Denver boasts 205 small and large parks, which is the largest parks system in the United States, and the city also runs 28 recreation centers. In addition, Denver residents enjoy easy access to the Colorado Mountains, where approximately 20,000 acres of public park space exists.

Not only is Denver the 17th largest metropolitan area in the United States, but it’s also the capital of the Rocky Mountain region in terms of commerce, finance and transportation. Many large local, national and international corporations, including many high-tech companies, are based in the Denver vicinity. The median income for a household in Denver is $39,500, the median income for a family is $48,195, the median income for males is $34,232, the median income for females is $30,768, and the per capita income for Denver residents is $24,101. In Denver, 14.3% of the population and 10.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.3% of those under the age of 18 and 9.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. Denver is home to several large and prominent corporations such as Qwest Commnications, EchoStar, Starz-Encore, and Comcast. Some of the successful mining companies in the area are EnCana, Halliburton, Newmont Mining, Noble Energy, and Anadarko.

People have been relocating to the City of Denver from other parts of Colorado, the United States, and all over the world for many reasons. Two of the most popular include the fact that Denver normally receives an average of 300 sunny days per year, and it was recently ranked by Sperlings for MSN as second in a list of America’s “Ten Best Places to Live.” Denver is a popular city for both in-state and out-of-state college attendees because not only can students enjoy all of the perks of living in Denver, but they can also attend one of many accredited and top-tier universities in town. A few of the largest are the University of Colorado, the University of Denver, Metropolitan State College of Denver, the University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center, Johnson & Wales University, the Community College of Denver, and many others. Children living in Denver attend schools within the Denver Public School System. There are approximately 73,000 students enrolled in a combination of over 100 elementary, K-8, middle, high, and charter schools.

Denver is a city always on the move. With the Majestic Rocky Mountains only a short drive away for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking, biking, river sports, and more for the warmer months.

Denver Also hosts a large number of highly regarded festivals and events such as the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, featuring artists from around the world representing all form of art from the classics to modern performance pieces. Perhaps the culinary arts interest you more? Well then come to Denver’s Civic center park nestled between the Majestic gold capped capital building and the Denver City and County building in September and enjoy the finest food Colorado restaurants have to offer at the Annual Taste of Colorado.

Looking for something with more of a western flair? Then be sure to stop by the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, the worlds largest! Or Catch a show at historic Red Rocks Amphitheater stroll down 16 street mall or relax and catch a beautiful Rocky Mountain sunset. Whatever it is you are looking for Denver has it!