A Mile High

Denver wasn’t always the Mile High City. In this episode, we journey back to November 17, 1858, to explore how a rough-and-tumble patch of land at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River became the beating heart of Colorado. Discover the determination of General William Larimer Jr., the gold rush fever that drove settlers westward, and the fierce rivalry with Auraria that shaped the city’s early days.

We’ll also reflect on Denver’s legacy as a hub of resilience and ambition—and why it still holds a special place for those of us who’ve called it home.

Join us as we uncover the fascinating story of a city built on grit and dreams!

Denver’s always had a way of sticking with you. It’s a city with grit, history, and heart. I’ve called it home since 1966, and growing up there, you get a feel for its roots. The way it rose from the wilderness to become a hub of the West isn’t just history—it’s a story about determination and vision. It starts back in 1858, with a handful of dreamers, opportunists, and plenty of gold fever.

Before Denver was Denver, this land belonged to the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes. They lived here long before the first settler staked a claim. The plains were their home, stretching out under endless skies, and the mountains held deep spiritual meaning. Life wasn’t easy, but they thrived. Then came the settlers, drawn by the promise of wealth and opportunity.

The West wasn’t exactly empty, but in the mid-1800s, it might as well have been a blank canvas to folks back East. The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 carved up the land into territories, but it didn’t bring settlers flooding in just yet. Kansas Territory stretched all the way out here, but the land was remote, untamed, and far from what most people considered civilization. That changed with gold—glittering nuggets in a creek bed, sparking dreams of wealth and adventure.

The Pike’s Peak Gold Rush of 1858 was like a beacon. Word spread of gold near Cherry Creek, and folks flocked west, shouting “Pike’s Peak or Bust!” Most of them didn’t make it that far or strike it rich when they did, but the promise was enough. By late 1858, the area around Cherry Creek was buzzing with miners, traders, and entrepreneurs. It was chaos—a rough-and-tumble mix of ambition, desperation, and the occasional fool’s luck.

Enter General William Larimer Jr., a man with big dreams and little hesitation. Larimer wasn’t actually a general, but he was a shrewd land speculator who knew an opportunity when he saw one. On November 17, 1858, he and his men staked their claim on a patch of land near the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River. To make it official, they laid down logs to mark out Denver City. Why Denver? Larimer figured naming it after Kansas Territorial Governor James W. Denver might win him some political favor. Little did he know, Denver had already resigned by then. It didn’t matter—the name stuck.

But founding a city is more than picking a name and staking a claim. Larimer had competition. Across the creek was Auraria, another settlement started by miners earlier that year. For a while, the two towns were rivals, competing for resources, settlers, and prestige. Life was rough. Supplies were scarce, winters were harsh, and there wasn’t much law to go around. But these weren’t people who gave up easily. The promise of gold and a better life kept them going.

As the settlements grew, practicality won out. Auraria and Denver merged in 1860, creating a unified front that would become the heart of the region. Larimer wasn’t done dreaming, though. He saw more than just a mining camp. He wanted Denver to be a real city—a place for families, businesses, and infrastructure. He and other early leaders worked tirelessly to bring order to the chaos, building roads, attracting settlers, and establishing Denver as the gateway to the Rockies.

Denver’s big break came with the railroads. In the late 1860s, the transcontinental railroad bypassed the city entirely, a crushing blow to its ambitions. But Denver wasn’t about to be left behind. Local leaders, including figures like David Moffat and John Evans, rallied to build a connection to the main line. They succeeded, securing Denver’s place as a transportation hub. That railroad link turned the city into a crossroads for trade, migration, and industry, fueling its growth for decades to come.

By the time Colorado became a state in 1876, Denver was the natural choice for its capital. It wasn’t just the largest city in the region; it had become its beating heart. The city represented Colorado’s identity—a mix of frontier spirit, resilience, and ambition. From its earliest days, Denver was more than a mining town. It was a community built by people who believed in its future, even when the odds were against them.

Growing up in Denver, I saw firsthand how that pioneer spirit shaped the city. By the 1960s, it was a thriving metropolis, but it never lost its connection to the past. Walking down Larimer Square, you can still feel the echoes of those early days, when Larimer and his crew staked their claim on a dream. Denver’s history isn’t just something you read about—it’s something you live.

Today, Denver stands as a testament to the determination of its founders and the countless people who’ve called it home since. It’s a city that rose from the plains to become a symbol of the West, blending its rugged past with a vibrant present. The legacy of November 17, 1858, lives on in every street, every building, and every person who calls Denver home. For me, it’s more than history. It’s where much of my own story took place too.