Colorado State Capital: Denver

Denver is the state capital of Colorado, and it’s named after former Kansas Territory acting governor James W. Denver. This location on the map received the nickname the “Mile High City” because of its elevation measuring at exactly one mile above sea elevation. It’s about an hour drive from the Rocky Mountains.

In 2016, Denver received accolades from the U.S. News and World Report as number one out of 100 cities to live in. Top determining factors include desirability to live there, job market and quality of life. It has more than 5,000 acres of outdoor trails, playgrounds, parks and golf courses. Well-known neighborhoods in this city include ones located near Sloan’s Lake, and City, Cheesman and Washington Parks.

Denver reportedly has come a long way since it’s “Wild West Days.” It used to be a popular mining location during the Gold Rush. One term used to describe some of its former residents is “gunslinging gamblers.” However, this Colorado city is now known for housing people who have a passion for nature and remaining fit. People enjoy the outdoors year-round here, but it probably is best known for its proximity to skin and snowboard resorts.

This area was given the name “Denver” after the Kansas Territory slavery dispute took place, and it commemorates this region rejecting proposed proslavery legislation in 1858. However, it wasn’t without much pressure, and the governor of whom this city is named after seemed to feel the distress. He is described as one who strived to keep the peace, and he spent much of his time diffusing arguments about slavery during the Civil War.

A number of historical documents don’t outright say James William Denver supported slavery. On the other hand, he also didn’t seem to refute it either. However, word has it that this territory had only one of two voting options — either support full slavery or limited slavery.

Before the establishment of Denver as the capital, the governor couldn’t seem to wait to see an end to the hot slavery debate strongly boycotted by neighboring free-state abolitionists. The proposed Lecompton Constitution drafted by slavery supporters intended to protect slaveholding never passed in 1859, and the Kansas Territory was on its way to becoming a free state.

In 1959, governor Denver resigned from political duties after being reappointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs less than six months after his role as territory acting governor ended.