Five Things You May Not Know About Denver, Colorado

When it comes to exciting and fun to travel to cities in the west, few locations can match up to all that the city of Denver, Colorado has to offer.  The city was built as a wild west town during the gold rush times centered around nearby Pike's Peak, but has grown to truly be one of the more well rounded metropolitan areas in the United States.  Denver is called the mile high city because it actually sits at exactly one mile above sea level.  The city offers a number of things to do that visitors from all over the country appreciate taking advantage of whenever they visit.  There is a great deal about this city that is known nationwide, but here are five things you may not know about Denver, Colorado.

1. Early Denver had ties to what would eventually become nearby states.  The first settlement founded in the area was named "Montana City" and at the time of its founding it was part of the as yet to be given statehood Kansas Territory.
2. Three United States Navy ships have been named the USS Denver.  The first was a cruiser that was in service from 1904 to 1931, the second was a light cruiser that was in service from 1942 to 1947, and the last one was an amphibious transport dock that came into service in 1968 and is still actively being used.
3. In 1865, Denver City officially shortened its name to Denver.
4. In 1976, Denver became the first city to ever decline hosting the Olympics after they had navigated through the application and selection process and had been selected to be the host city.
5. Denver not only hosted the 2008 Democratic National Convention, but also the 1908 Democratic National Convention.  This was unusual in that Denver was a relatively new city at the time and also because the overwhelming amount of people during those days lived in the many cities in the east.

Travelers have come to Denver for years to sample all that this city has to offer.  It has come to be a centrally located destination that many people all over the west seek out all the time.  The city has a rich history and anyone interested in America's past would find a wealth of exciting and interesting exhibits located all over the greater Denver area.  Denver, Colorado truly offers something for everyone whether they are interested in museums and other cultural attractions, or sports and recreational opportunities.  A visit to Denver is a visit to a city that indeed knows how to entertain and take care of its guests.