The capital of Colorado, Denver boasts a population of more than 600,000 residents as of 2010 and is one of the most populous cities in the United States. A bustling metropolis surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, Denver is home to the illustrious Santa Fe Arts District, a number of sporting arenas including Coors Field and the Pepsi Center, and interesting historical attractions like the home of Molly Brown and U.S. Mint. Founded during the 1800s during the western gold strike, Denver is the founding place for a number of well-known chain restaurants including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Quizno's.
With a population of more than 400,000 as of 2010, Colorado Springs is the second largest city in Colorado by population and the largest city in Colorado in terms of land. Built around Pikes Peak and envisioned as a resort town, Colorado Springs is home to a number of historic hotels including the Cliff House built in 1873 and the Broadmoor Hotel built in 1918. The city is home to a number of military bases, natural wonders like the Cave of the Winds. Colorado Springs also was the site of Nikola Tesla's Colorado Springs Experimental Station, where he pioneered the use of wireless energy.
The third largest city in Colorado in terms of residents, Aurora has a population of more than 325,000 as of 2010. Considered more of a large suburb of Denver due to its lack of a central business district, Aurora has a long military history and has been the location of a number of bases, including Buckley Air Force Base. The city has become famous for its Army hospital, now known as Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, as well as its park land and fields, including Aurora Sports Park, where a multiple national sporting events are held each year.
With a population of more than 140,000 as of 2010, Lakewood is known for its schools. The historic Lakewood school district features the Lakewood Grade School, built in the 1920s, as well as Lakewood High School and Alameda High School, both of which are International Baccalaureate schools. Home to the Denver Federal Center, which houses the largest concentration of federal agencies outside of Washington, D.C., Lakewood also features a thriving shopping district centered around the Belmar town center.
