Denver Today
Denver’s role in the regional economy
Denver is the capital and most populous city of Colorado, and the ten-county Denver metropolitan area functions as the economic and cultural center of the broader Front Range Urban Corridor. The Denver MSA had a gross metropolitan product of $311.9 billion in 2023, while the 12-county Denver–Aurora combined statistical area had a GDP of $377.7 billion and the broader Front Range had a GDP of $474.6 billion.
The city’s economy is based partly on its geographic position and its connection to major transportation systems. Because Denver is the largest city within 500 miles, it has become a natural location for storage and distribution of goods and services to the Mountain States, Southwest states, and western states. Denver is also nearly equidistant from large cities of the Midwest and large cities of the West Coast.
Major industries and employers
Denver has been home to large corporations in the central United States and is described as a key trade point for the country.
Government is also a major presence. Many federal agencies are based in or have offices in the Denver area, and companies tied to U.S. defense and space projects are part of the local economy. The area is home to the Denver Federal Center, Byron G. Rogers Federal Building and United States Courthouse, the Denver Mint, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Denver’s position near the mineral-rich Rocky Mountains encouraged mining and energy companies to develop in the area, and energy and mining remain important to the economy. The west-central location in the Mountain Time Zone benefits telecommunications by allowing communication with both North American coasts, South America, Europe, and Asia on the same business day. Denver has also had national fast-casual restaurant chains founded and based in the city.
Air and rail connections
Denver International Airport, commonly known as DIA, serves as the primary airport for the Front Range Urban Corridor surrounding Denver. It is 18.6 miles east-northeast of the Colorado State Capitol and is the largest airport by land area in the United States. DIA serves as a major hub for United Airlines, is the headquarters and primary hub for Frontier Airlines, and is a major focus city for Southwest Airlines.
Denver Union Station is the main railway station and central transportation hub in Denver. Located at 17th and Wynkoop Streets in LoDo, it includes the historic station house, a modern open-air train shed, a 22-gate underground bus station, and a light rail station. Amtrak serves Denver with the California Zephyr daily in both directions between Chicago and Emeryville, California, and Amtrak Thruway service links the Denver station with Rocky Mountain points.
Getting around the metro area
Mass transportation across the Denver metropolitan area is managed and coordinated by the Regional Transportation District. RTD operates more than 100 bus routes serving over 9,700 bus stops in 38 municipal jurisdictions in eight counties around the Denver and Boulder metropolitan areas. RTD also operates ten rail lines with 113 miles of track serving 77 stations, including 35 within the City of Denver.
Denver lies at the junction of I-25 and I-70. Other routes crossing portions of the city include I-76, I-225, I-270, US 6, US 36, and US 287. The city’s street system includes a straightforward grid oriented to the four cardinal directions, along with an older downtown grid designed parallel to the confluence of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek.
Some Denver streets have bicycle lanes, and there are over 850 miles of paved, off-road bike paths in Denver parks and along bodies of water such as Cherry Creek and the South Platte. Intercity bus connections include Bustang service to locations across Colorado, Greyhound routes, and service from allied bus operators.