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Welcome to Colorado! Once a small mining town on the banks
of the South Platte River, the city has grown into a thriving metropolis with
something for everyone. A vibrant downtown offers world-class culture, shopping
and dining, while historic and original neighborhoods surrounding the city add
flavor to the 2-million-plus population. Outstanding recreational activities are available
in the city and the nearby mountains.
HISTORY OF DENVER
The capital city, Denver, was established by a group of prospectors in 1858 following
a gold discovery at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River. Over the
next two years, more than 100,000 people would pour into the area in search of gold.
The U.S. government established the Colorado Territory in 1861. The railroad
came along soon after, and by 1890, more than 100,000 people lived in the Denver
area alone. The repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act and the depression of
1893 brought an abrupt end to Denver's gold boom. Agriculture, tourism and ranching
became the leading industries at the turn of the century.
Fast-forward to the present day, when more than 2 million people live in the
Denver metro area, with three-fourths of that population in the suburbs. The region
now counts skiing, computers, aviation and hi-tech among its economic base.
COLORADO WEATHER GUIDE
As the saying goes, "if you don't like the weather in Colorado, wait a few minutes; it
will change." Our high-prairie location makes for an arid, usually temperate climate.
Spring brings sunny, warm days with cold nights, and the occasional three-foot
accumulation of wet snow. Summer means warmer, sometimes downright hot, days,
with cooler evenings.
Summer days in the mountains can be idyllic, but the weather can change rapidly, especially at higher altitudes. The prudent mountain traveler always has long pants, a
sweater and a coat available — even in July. Autumn brings cooler days, crisp nights,
and the long-awaited turning of the aspens. Do yourself a favor and take a drive
through the mountains sometime around the third week of September; you'll be glad
you did. Winter in Colorado can be ironic; warm sunshine and cold air. Snow, when it
falls around town, can melt away in a day. Many residents enjoy golf year-round; just
be sure to pack those wool socks!
GETTING AROUND TOWN
With Metropolitan Denver covering seven counties, driving is definitely part
of the lifestyle. Residents commonly travel across town to work, take classes, go to church, and attend cultural and sporting events. Public transportation options,
however, continue to expand under FasTracks, the Regional Transportation
District (RTD)'s 12-year comprehensive plan to build and expand high-speed rail
lines, bus service and park-n-Rides throughout the region. The program
recently completed extension of light (fixed) rail service south to County Line
Road and east to Parker Road, and has projects lined up through 2016. For more
information, visit www.rtd-fastracks.com.
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The Regional Transportation District (RTD) was voted the number-one mass
transit system in the U.S. in 2004. Fares are reasonable, and some employers and
agencies offer discounts or free passes. RTD has more than 170 bus routes, a 35mile
light rail line and a variety of special services, including access-a-Ride for seniors
and persons with disabilities, SkyRide to the airport and Rockies Ride to Denver
Broncos games. Local buses serve more densely populated communities. They
make frequent stops along the route, and most run throughout the day. Limited
buses, labeled with "L" on the identifying signage on the top front of the vehicle,
only stop at selected bus stops along a local route to provide faster service.
Express buses (numbered routes followed by an "X") provide the fastest transportation
during peak hours. They carry commuters from outlying residential areas,
often from Park-n-Rides, to downtown and major employment centers. Regional
and SkyRide buses provide service connecting downtown Denver and the
Denver Tech Center with nearby cities, mountain towns and Denver International
Airport. The basic fare for both buses and light rail is $1.75, with higher rates for
regional and special services. Seniors, disabled persons and students qualify for 85cent
fares. Monthly passes and books of tickets are available. You can reach RTD at
www.rtd-denver.com, 303-299-6000.
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Although Denverites like to cover great distances fast, they also love to enjoy the
open air riding bicycles. Recreational paths wind throughout the entire metro
area, and you can find the ones most appropriate for you and your family,
regardless of your skill level. The RTD Bike-n-Ride program has made it easier to
commute by bicycle; both you and your bike can take the bus if the weather
changes. It also makes it easy for recreational riders to access distant trails.
Information on bike routes and trails can be found through Bike Denver,
www.bikedenver.org, and the city and county of Denver at www.denvergov.org/Bicycle_Program/.
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When friends come to visit or you take off on vacation, chances are you'll go to
Denver International Airport (DIA). Located about 25 miles east of central
Denver, north of I-70, DIA is a major transportation hub. Short and long-term
parking are available at the airport and offsite. Taxis and private shuttles offer
service to the airport. Compare the costs though. Sometimes it's less expensive to
drive yourself to the airport and pay for parking than it is to use a taxi or private shuttle. RTD's SkyRide also provides service from selected central locations at very
reasonable prices. For more information about DIA, visit www.flydenver.com/.
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To get a Colorado driver's license, you'll need to present a valid out-of-state
license or other acceptable proof of identity, take an eye test, and provide your
social security number, along with proof of age, name and "lawful" presence.
Contact your local Division of Motor Vehicles office for information. The main
office number is 303-205-5600, or look under the Colorado Department of
Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, in the phone book. The fee for an adult driver's
license is $21.00 and is valid for 10 years.
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You also need to get the required documents for your vehicle. Within 30 days
of establishing Colorado residency, you must apply for a Colorado title and registration.
Apply in the County Motor Vehicle Office in the county where you
reside. Auto registrations are annual.
SPORTS
No doubt about it, Denver is a sports town. We play host to eight professional
sports teams, covering everything from professional football to lacrosse, soccer to
baseball. As further testament to our love of the game, any game, Denver has built
three major sports venues in the past 20 years, providing 150,000 seats for sports
viewing.
Denver boasts all of the following professional sports teams:
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Colorado Avalanche National Hockey League Team. Family package on select
dates. Pepsi Center, Denver. 303-405-1100. www.avalanche.nhl.com.
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Colorado Crush Arena Football Team. Kids can celebrate their birthday with the
Crush, which includes meeting the mascot and a birthday announcement on the
matrix board. Pepsi Center. 303-405-1100. www.coloradocrush.com.
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Colorado Mammoth National Lacrosse League Team. Free youth days and discounted
family nights with hot dogs and beverages on select dates. Pepsi Center,
Denver. 303-405-1100. www.coloradomammoth.com.
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Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer Team. Kid's club includes T-shirt, autograph
session and more. Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City. 303-825-4625.
www.coloradorapids.com.
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Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball Team. An all-American ballpark
experience in the heart of Denver, at Coors Field. 800-388-7625.
www.coloradorockies.com.
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Denver Broncos National Football League Team. The Broncos Bunch kids'
club includes invitation to exclusive Treat-or-Treat Party. Invesco Field at Mile High.
720-258-3333. www.denverbroncos.com.
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Denver Nuggets National Basketball Association Team. Consider joining the
kids' club for a home game ticket, T-shirt and more. Pepsi Center. 303-405-1100.
www.nba.com/nuggets.
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Denver Outlaws Major League LaCrosse Team. The birthday party package is available
at all seven games and includes seats, autograph session, food and drinks.
Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver. 720-258-3600. www.denveroutlaws.com.
Denver's sports venues are as varied as the sports themselves:
The Pepsi Center is downtown Denver's newest venue, and hosts a variety of
sports events, along with concerts and other events. Visit www.pepsicenter.com
for event schedules and other information. During their season, the Colorado
Rockies play at Coors Field, another anchor in the downtown sports scene. Go
to www.coorsfieldevent.com for more information. The Denver Broncos have
their own newly-built football stadium, Invesco Field at Mile High, also in the
downtown area. Visit www.invescofieldatmilehigh.com for schedules and other
information. Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City is the home of the
Colorado Rapids soccer team. Concerts, high school events, corporations, businesses,
community organizations and other outdoor sports entities also use the stadium.
Visit www.dickssportinggoodspark.com for schedules and events.
GET OUTDOORS!
Denverites may like their sports, but they also like to play: the area offers an
abundance of opportunities for kids and adults to get involved in team sports or to
just partake in the great outdoors, whether it's on skis or a bicycle or in a
kayak. Denver is located at the border of mountain and plain, with more than 200
named peaks visible from the city. Often referred to as our mountain playground,
those nearby peaks offer outdoor experiences for almost everyone, with opportunities for hiking and biking, camping, rafting and more.
Colorado has four national parks, three national monuments, more than 40 state parks and numerous recreational areas. Many can be explored during a weekend getaway. Add to the adventure by driving along one of the 25 official Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways that criss-cross the state. For information about the national parks, visit www.nps.gov. Annual national park passes, valid for 12 months, cost $80. U.S. citizens and permanent residents
age 62 and over can purchase a $10 lifetime pass. Regular park fees are valid for 7 days and vary by park and season. For example, the fee at Rocky Mountain National Park during peak season is $20 per passenger vehicle. Camping site fees also vary by park. Some are first-come, first-served and others can be reserved.
For details about Colorado state parks, visit http://parks.state.co.us/. To reserve a
campsite, go online or call 303-470-1144 (Denver area) or 800-678-2267. In addition
to the daily campsite fee, which varies by type of campground, there is an
$8 reservation fee. Annual Colorado state park passes are available for $60 per vehicle
($30 per vehicle for Colorado residents age 64 and over).
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Denver is home to a number of cultural
venues, including the Denver Center for
the Performing Arts, the newly-remodeled
Denver Art Museum and the Denver Public
Library. Around the metro area, dozens of
museums chronicle the region's history and
legends, such as the Molly Brown House,
the Black American West Museum and
Heritage Center, and the Buffalo Bill
Museum. The Children's Museum of Denver, the Museum of Nature and
Science, Denver's Downtown Aquarium and the Denver Zoo introduce children of all ages to the wonders of plants, wildlife
and nature. For immediate assistance in an actual
From community theater to ballets, offers performances for a variety of interests
and budgets. See the Destination Guide for more information.
FUN FACTS ABOUT COLORADO
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In 1894, Colorado became the second
state (after Wyoming) to give
women the right to vote.
- Colorado has two state songs:
Where the Columbines Grow
(adopted in 1915) and John
Denver’s Rocky Mountain High ”
(adopted in 2007).
- Colorado is nicknamed the
Centennial State because it became
a state 100 years after the signing
of the Declaration of
Independence.
- Katharine Lee Bates wrote
"America the Beautiful" after riding
up Pike’s Peak.
- The land area of Denver
International Airport is more than
twice the size of Manhattan.
- 54 peaks are higher than 14,000
feet in elevation and are nicknamed
"fourteeners."
- Mount Evans Scenic and Historic
Byway is the highest paved road in
the United States.
- Every year, thousands of valentines
are re-mailed from Loveland,
Colorado to loved ones in destinations
near and far.
- Colorado has 25 official scenic and
historic byways. The newest one,
Collegiate Peaks, was designated in
2005.
- Durango and Silverton Narrow
Gauge Railroad, which takes
tourists through the gorgeous San
Juan Mountains, has been in continuous
operation since 1881.
- Visible dinosaur tracks etch the
slope of Dinosaur Ridge just west
of Morrison in Metro Denver.
SCHOOL DAYS
Colorado has educational choices for
families. Sure, most kids will attend their
local public school, but there are lots of
other options as well. Open enrollment is a
choice that many families exercise; it
allows students to enroll in any public
school on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Education options in Colorado include the
following:
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Public schools, regulated by the
Colorado Department of Education, make
up the bulk of the educational offerings in
the state.
- Private schools are just that; usually
tuition-based, though some are free.
Private schools can cater to almost any
need, including kids with ADD/ADHD, religious
schools, military, sports and the arts.
- Charter schools are public schools that
function inside the local school district.
Charter schools are generally managed by
parents and teachers.
- Home schooling is an option that allows
parents to provide a formalized curriculum
in the home, usually done by a parent.
Home schools are generally supervised by a
school district.
- Virtual schools, an offshoot of the home
schooling method, which allows students
to follow an Internet-based curriculum
through a local school district.
Visit the Colorado Department of
Education Web site at www.cde.state.co.us
for lots of information about education in
the state. For information about private
schools, go to the Schools of Choice section
of the Colorado Department of Education
Web site, www.cde.state.co.us/choice/.
THE CITY AT YOUR SERVICE
Some services are routed primarily through cities, others through counties.
Your best bet for information? Make contact with your local city hall and ask. (See
the blue pages in the telephone book, or look on the Web under the name of your
city.)
For example, trash collection and recycling are provided free in Denver to single
family residences and dwellings of seven units or less. However, many suburban
locations charge for trash collection.
Water and sewage in Denver are managed by the Denver Water Department,
303-628-6000. Outside the city limits, local utilities companies are in charge, although
they may use the Denver Water Department's water.
Energy needs (electricity and natural gas) by and large are provided by Xcel
Energy, 800-895-4999. There are some exceptions, particularly in less developed
areas.
For regular residential telephone service, contact Qwest. Call 800-244-1111 to
initiate service at home. Remember, although the entire metro area is a local
call district, you DO need to include the area code for local calls. This is either 303
or 720. There is no need to include a "1" when you dial.
To vote, you need only be a resident of Colorado and your voting precinct for 30
days prior to the election. Register by mail, at motor vehicle offices, or your local
County Clerk and Recorder office.
Comcast is the major cable television provider in the metro area. Call 866-9289135
for customer service. For satellite service, try DISH Network, 888-825-2557,
or DIRECTV, 888-777-2454.
Published in Colorado Parent Family Phone Book Summer/Fall 2008
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