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Welcome to Denver! (From a mining town to the hottest real estate market in the U.S.!)

Re/MaxColorado November 16, 2015February 19, 2026Comments Off

LOCATION: Denver is located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.

ELEVATION: 5,130–5,690 ft (1,564–1,731 m)

ZIP CODES: 80201–80212, 80214–80239, 80241, 80243–80244, 80246–80252, 80256–80266, 80271, 80273–80274, 80279–80281, 80290–80291, 80293–80295, 80299, 80012, 80014, 80022, 80033, 80123, 80127

POPULATION: 663,862 (2014 estimate)

DEMOGRAPHIC MEDIANS

Homeownership rate – 50.2% (2009-2013)
Household Income – $50,313
Home Value – $249,100

HISTORY

Denver was first established in November of 1858 as a mining town during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in western Kansas Territory. General William Larimer claimed the bluff overlooking the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek, across the creek from the mining settlement called Auraria. Larimer named the town site Denver City in favor of the Kansas Territorial’s governor, James W. Denver.

Larimer sold parcels of land to merchants and miners, with the intention of creating a major city. Denver was a classic frontier town where local miners gambled in saloons and livestock and goods were traded. Within three years the Colorado Territory was established and Denver City became the Territorial Capital and became known simply as Denver. Citizens were thrilled when the Denver Pacific completed the transcontinental railroad in 1870, ushering in a new age of prosperity for Denver.

The young city quickly attracted millionaires with their mansions and luxurious hotels like the much-loved Brown Palace Hotel. To transform Denver into one of the world’s great cities, leaders wooed industries to establish factories and entice German, Italian, and Chinese laborers to the city. African-Americans and Spanish-surname workers soon followed. By 1890, Denver was the second-largest city west of Omaha, Nebraska and earning the title Queen City of the Plain and West!

REAL ESTATE

Over the last few years, Denver’s real estate market has taken a breathtaking turn! Just last month, Realtor.com named the city the best place to own a home! That’s due to the City and County of Denver’s growing economic activities for government, business services, transportation, product distribution and tourism. Roughly 50% of residents are homeowners. The average home value is around $320,000 (almost twice the national average). For the latest trends, check out Denver’s market updates. It includes the current homes for sale in Denver, CO!

CATCH OUR PART TWO: Welcome to Denver! Top Restaurants, Attractions and more!