Denver's Elevation: 5,280 Feet—The Mile High Benchmark

Denver, Colorado's elevation is officially 5,280 feet (1,609 meters) above sea level. The benchmark is marked on the west steps of the State Capitol—step 13, to be precise—making Denver one of the highest major U.S. cities.

What That Means Daily

• Water boils at 202°F (94.5°C)—adjust pasta/rice times.
• Tires lose ~1–2 PSI per 1,000 ft gain; check monthly.
• Engines lose ~3% power per 1,000 ft—turbochargers compensate.
• Sunburn risk: UV index routinely "Very High" summer midday.

Neighborhood Variation

City limits range 5,130–5,690 ft. Stapleton/Northfield (NE) ~5,350 ft; Bear Valley (SW) ~5,600 ft. Suburbs climb higher—Castle Rock 6,200 ft, Evergreen 7,200 ft.

One mile high isn't a slogan—it's a specification that shapes life in subtle, surprising ways.