I found out yesterday afternoon that Nov. 22 was the 153rd anniversary of Denver’s founding.

Happy Birthday Denver!

As an ardent Denver lover, I couldn’t very well let this occasion go by unnoticed. So I present to you my top ten reasons to fall in love with Denver:

1. This city is one mile above sea level – thus the Mile High City – and as such, you get bragging rights whenever you visit lower altitudes. (However, bear in mind that if this lower altitude destination is near an ocean, there’s really no competing with that. Trust me, I’ve tried.)
2. Denver has both small town charm and big OK medium city perks. You can walk across the city in 30 minutes, but you can also see world class theatre productions, enjoy spectacular dining options, and see the Rocky Mountains from the city.
3. And speaking of dining, the restaurant industry is on the rise here despite the not so great economy. How’s that for western persistence?
4. Are you a skier? You can get from Denver to the closest mountain resort in just 50 minutes.
5. Like the sun? Three-hundred plus days of sunshine around these parts. Yeah, buddy! (Today for instance – Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving – it’s 68 degrees out there! Colorado weather for the win!)
6. Though our professional sports teams haven’t had much sustained success in recent years, we do still have professional hockey (Go Avs!), football, baseball, soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams. A little something for everyone. ADDED: Emily just alerted me to the fact that we also have a rugby team. And a rugby-specific stadium. Who knew?
7. In how many other major cities can you view a parade that consists of herding a group of longhorn cattle down a main street? Or celebrate the head cow in the lobby of one of the fanciest and most renowned hotels in the city?
8. On a related note, it is in no way surprising to see someone moseying along wearing cowboy boots and hat. Such attire is still a staple around here. In fact, I once walked into a favored dining establishment and witnessed a booth crowded with old fellas wearing 10-gallon hats. No gimmick, no party, that’s just how they roll.
9. Our choice in public artwork is, granted, a little strange – check out this collection of images to see what I mean – but no one can say we don’t have character and spunk.
10. Denver is one of the most walkable cities around. Probably because the heart of downtown is only about 20 blocks across. But still. You stay fit and trim commuting by foot here.
11. BONUS REASON: I grew up here. My heart will always be here. And so, though I’m admittedly pretty biased, there’s a lot to love about this city. Come and visit. You probably won’t want to leave. But that’s OK. We’re a pretty friendly group of people.
12. Ooh – we’ll call that reason #12. Extra, extra bonus reason!

Happy almost-Thanksgiving everyone! Be safe in your travels.