"Denver the beautiful (or at least friendly)" Denver by goingsolo

The Mile High City really is in the center of its all. To the east, a broad flat expanse of land stretches towards Kansas; to the north, towering Long's Peak and a bevy of elk await in Rocky Mountain National Park; to the east, ski resorts abound along one of the most scenic interstates in the nation; to the south, there are scenic roads which defy description, small towns and, yes, more mountains. Denver lies in the center of it all, a big city which retains traces of small town friendliness. A place where you can see skyscrapers and Walmarts yet still gaze upon mountains in the distance. The true American dream.

I spent a bit of time roaming the Mile High City and getting lost in its grid of named at random streets. There's so much to see and do in Denver that its almost a pity that there's so much to draw tourists and residents away. But most Colorado trips involve at least a brief stopover in Denver, so I'll give you some suggestions on how to spend your time one mile above sea level.

Maj. Gen. William H. Larimer embodied the saying, "Better late than never." He arrived in Colorado after a few gold flakes sparked the Pikes Peak gold rush. The normally placid landscape was filled with prospectors and two hastily built cities, but that didn't stop the general.He claim -- jumped land on the east side of the Platte River, laid out another town and named it after the territorial governor, James Denver. His attempt to gain political favor failed as -- unknown to Larimer -- the governor had already resigned. Undaunted, Larimer dreamed of Denver being the queen city, but fighting between the three towns almost led to bloodshed. Ever the industrious soldier, Larimer arranged a torch-lit meeting, and for the price of a barrel of whiskey (shared by all), Denver reigned.

The mayor can draft men of the city as needed for emergencies or law enforcement.

Notice must be posted on a park tree if an animal control officer has intentions of impounding a dog in the area.

It is unlawful to drive cattle on the city streets.

City employees are prohibited from having any debts.

A person may not ride a horse in Denver over 20 mph. It is also illegal to ride a horse
while intoxicated.

• Pros:Still a very friendly place
• Cons:The expansion has lead to traffic and other problems found in a larger city
• In a nutshell:The residents have not caught up to big city thinking, and hopefully they never will