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Mile High City

Denver is centrally located and lies in the foothills of the Rocky Mountain region. Whether it's the nearby skiing or hiking, the vibrant cultural and recreation opportunities, the championship sports teams or the world-class airport, amenities of the Denver metro area make it an ideal place to live, work and raise a family.

Located on high plains at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, Denver has a sunny, cool, dry climate. The sun shines 300 days a year and the usually mild climate and nearby Rocky Mountain playground have made tourism one of the Mile High City's economic mainstays. With a lower cost of living compared to most major cities, exemplary health care and world class medical research facilities, massive rapid transit expansion plans, and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities, Denver is one of the nation's best cities.

In 2000, the metro area reached a population of 2.1 million, three-fourths of whom live in the suburban counties-Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson. Roughly 20% of the core city population is Latino, 13 percent African-American, two percent Asian and one percent Native American. The current mayor, John Hickenlooper, enjoys widespread popularity across the city and is currently leading an effort to promote early childhood education for Denver's children and shares the Superintendent's vision for education in Denver. Innovative and strategic partnerships between the education, business, and Denver civic community are also being formed to reach this vision of achievement.

A diverse business economy, top-ranked educational institutions, vibrant cultural and recreational opportunities and championship sports teams are just some of the great characteristics of the Denver metropolitan area. And, at an altitude of 5,280 feet, Denver's proximity to the Rocky Mountains offers visitors an abundance of recreation options. Cultural activities, including numerous museums, gardens, the opera and symphony, are readily available in Denver and other nearby communities such as Boulder, Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley and Arvada. Professional sports teams, including the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids and the Denver Nuggets, offer activities for the sports enthusiast.

There are eight major universities and colleges located within a 45-mile radius of the community. These include the Universities of Colorado at Boulder and Denver, University of Denver, Metropolitan State College, University of Northern Colorado, Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines, and Regis University.