When it comes to Denver trivia, nearly everyone knows why it is called the Mile High City, that there are 300 days of sunshine a year, and the hallowed backstory of Blucifer, the bronco statue outside the Denver International Airport. However, there are still so many fun facts about Denver that you probably haven’t heard before. Here are five factoids you can use to impress guests at your next dinner party.
Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport (DIA) is the largest airport in the country in terms of land area and it is the second largest in the world, coming in at a whopping 52.4 square miles. Though DIA is massive in size, it is only the fifth busiest airport in the U.S. according to USA Today. But, you could easily squeeze the top four busiest airports in the U.S. (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, O’Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport) inside DIA’s territory.
The Mile High City’s Elevation
FORE! Did you know that if you’re out golfing in Denver, your golf balls travel about 10 percent farther than they would at sea level? As elevation increases, air density decreases, so the Mile High City has a rare, thin air about it that exerts less drag force on the ball. Less drag equals greater distance! The same principle also applies to baseball. One of the nation’s best ballparks for home runs is Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. It has broken the record twice for major league home runs hit in a single ballpark in one season. However, sports aren’t the only thing that makes Denver air so special; the sky is much bluer here compared to other cities. Due to the high elevation, there is less water vapor in the air which allows for a bright, beautiful blue sky to shine through!
16th Street Mall Architecture
As you travel down the 16th Street Mall in Denver, you are probably not looking at your feet, but maybe next time you should! There are 400,000 pieces of granite paving lining the pedestrian area of the outdoor shopping center and when observed from an aerial view, the pattern in the paving resembles the coat of a western diamondback rattlesnake. The genius behind this design was I.M. Pei, a master architect. Some of his most famous works include the Louvre’s glass pyramid in Paris and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
Denver’s Love for the Arts
There’s no doubt that the city of Denver loves and appreciates the arts. The Denver Performing Art Complex is the second-largest performing arts center in the world! The Denver Metro area also collects more money per capita than any other city; there is a sales tax of one-tenth of a cent for the arts which benefits local institutions like the Denver Art Museum, Denver Zoo, Denver Botanic Gardens and more.
Home to the First Chipotle Mexican Grill
One of the nation’s favorite fast casual restaurants was started right here in Denver! Chipotle Mexican Grill was founded by Steve Ells in 1993 and the company was headquartered in Denver from its launch up until 2018, when it relocated to Newport Beach, CA. The location of the very first Chipotle restaurant is just down the street from the University of Denver, on the corner of E. Evans Avenue and S. Gilpin Street. There are now over 3,000 Chipotle locations across the U.S., with Colorado being home to 81 of them.
You learn something new every day, and the Mile High City is full of interesting history, facts and news. Did any of these surprise you?
*Updated as of January 4, 2023
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