Some of us were born and raised here, some of us are just passing through, and some of us are putting down roots and building our lives from the ground up in this majestic Mile High City. But no matter which category you fall into, I’d venture to say that nearly all of us are here because we’ve got a lot of things to love about Denver! And in a world that seems a bit topsy turvy as of late, it sure is reassuring to have a place (and people) that always make us feel at home.

1. "Denver City" was founded in 1858 by adventurers, seekers, dreamers, and doers, and that still holds true today.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia
2. The Mile High City ranked No. 1 for the first time on Forbes' 2015 "Best Places for Business and Careers," as well as No. 1 on U.S. News and World Report’s 2016 "Best Places to Live." Go get 'em!
Flickr/StoneWolfPhoto
3. Denver businesses and organizations are on the cutting edge of both sustainability and technology.
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia
Here President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden view rooftop photovoltaic solar panels at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
4. Mile Highers have always been on top!
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia
Pictured is the first locomotive built for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad in 1871. At its peak, the D&RGW operated the largest narrow gauge railroad in North America and the highest mainline railway in the U.S.
5. We're home to the notorious Colfax Avenue, the longest continuous commercial street in the nation, and what Playboy Magazine dubbed, the "longest, wickedest street in America."
Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia
What is now Colfax Avenue has been around since the Ute Indians used it as a trade route well over a century ago, and it first appeared on Denver maps in 1868. There are many other Colfax claims to fame, including appearing in Jack Kerouac's On The Road and Clint Eastwood's Every Which Way But Loose, as well as East Colfax's Satire Lounge being the spot where Bob Dylan reportedly got "hissed" off the stage back in the '60s.
6. We are proud to be Denverites, Coloradans, and an integral part of this glorious Union we call the United States of America.
Flickr/Jason Karsh
Pictured is the Civil War Memorial at the Colorado State Capitol, which depicts a Union soldier and was dedicated in 1909. As a plaque on the monument proudly states, "Colorado had the highest average of volunteers in the Civil War of any state or territory in the Union." Here in the Mile High City, we fight for what we believe in, both then and now!
7. God bless America, and God the Broncos! (But not necessarily in that order.)
Flickr/Jeffrey Beall
8. We hold true to our Western roots, as demonstrated by this Bronco Buster, which was dedicated to the city of Denver in 1920 and is still riding high at the Civic Center.
Flickr/Alan
9. We're home to Rockmount Ranch Wear, the pioneer of Western fashion and proudly MADE IN THE USA.
Flickr/bradleypjohnson
"Papa Jack" Weil founded Rockmount in the early 1900s, invented the snap shirt, and distributed the first commercially produced bolo ties. He also coined the phrase, "The West is not a place. It is a state of mind." (You can visit this 3rd generation family business and stock up on "Tru-West" wear in LoDo at 1626 Wazee Street.)
10. We're also home to the infamous 32-foot-tall "Devil Horse" with glowing red eyes and a storm of controversy.
Flickr/James Joel
The 9,000-pound rearing Blue Mustang (aka Blucifer, Satan's Steed, or the Blue Stallion of Death) tragically fell on its creating artist Luis Jiménez, severing his artery, and ultimately causing his death. The statue has been caught in swirling disputes ever since its installation, but of this I'm certain: Whether you love it or hate it, it's there, it's talked about, and it's impressive.
11. Speaking of swirls and storms, I will always love our eerie Mile High summer skies and their fast-approaching ominous yet magnificent clouds.
Flickr/Brian Papantonio
12. And, OOOWEEE, do we get some show-off lightning bolts...
Flickr/Bryce Bradford
13. ...followed by some of the most spectacular rainbows ever witnessed...
Flickr/Christian Holland
14. ...and they're often pulling double duty.
Flickr/Jeff Lawson
15. And when the clouds part (and you're at the rare natural wonder that is Red Rocks), you can see every star in the sky.
Flickr/Chris Locke

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16. If you venture even further into the wilderness that surrounds our fair city, you can behold the Milky Way in all of its magnificence!
Flickr/Bo Insogna
17. God the bless the Rockies, and God bless America!
Flickr/Eric Kilby
18. We can pinpoint the exact birthplace of Denver, right here at the junction of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, which is the present-day Confluence Park. How many cities can say that!?
Flickr/Mark Land
19. We can also ride the rapids at that very spot where Green Russell and his party first prospected for gold...
Flickr/Kimon Berlin
20. ...or ride the trails along the South Platte to witness a sunrise like this...
Flickr/Shannon Dizmang
21. ..or to Chatfield Reservoir for the dawning of the day...
Flickr/Michael Levine-Clark
22. ...or just outside of Aurora for a sunset like no other.
Flickr/Matt Santomarco
23. Vista views (like this one from Lookout Mountain) are always a hop, skip, bike, or car ride away.
Flickr/Ligoweth
24. And we can even drive over 14,000 feet on the highest paved road in North America for a glimpse of our beloved Mile High City, which sparkles and shines with the bright lights of hopes and dreams.
Flickr/Geoff Llerena
25. But you don't have to get THAT high for a fantastic view of the Denver skyline.
Flickr/Keith
26. No matter where you stand in the Mile High City, you'll find yourself surrounded by beauty!
Flickr/Doug Jones
27. Our urban parks will wow you with wild surprises.
Flickr/Ben Mason
(Pictured: Crown Hill Park)
28. Our amusement parks will delight you with nostalgic rides...
Facebook/Lakeside Amusement Park
(Pictured: Lakewood Amusement Park)
29. ...and they'll have you reminiscing about the good old days of your youth when you used to steal a kiss on the ferris wheel at Elitch.
Flickr/Tim Jones
30. We may travel, and we may roam, but the memory of love with ALWAYS bring us home!
Flickr/Lorie Shaull
(Pictured: John Denver Sanctuary in Aspen)

Denver sure has my heart on a string! And here are just a few more reasons Why My Heart Will Always Be In Denver.

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