‘One Mile Above Sea Level’ sign at the Colorado State Capitol building
Location: Denver, CO
When to visit: Anytime, but daylight hours are ideal
Cost: Free
Time needed to enjoy: 10 minutes
Website: www.denver.org/metro/high-altitude-tips
Denver’s nickname as “The Mile High City” is spot-on accurate. No rounding or estimating going on here! The steps of the state capitol building are marked at the exact location of one mile above sea level.
If the elevation of the capitol building was 5,270 feet or 5,290 feet, no one would care. But because one of the steps sits at exactly 5,280 feet, and because that step has been engraved to reflect its elevation, this spot has become a highly-sought-after photo opportunity.
It’s not even clear which step is precisely one mile above sea level. Denver’s official website says that originally the 11th step was carved as one mile high, but it was later determined that the actual spot was four steps higher. Some time after that, scientists decided that Denver was three feet higher than previously believed.
So who knows which step is really one mile high. You can cover your bases by posing on all of them. Join the parade of tourists and get your pic taken at the capitol.
“Come on, honey, stand right between grammy and paps!”
So, did you take a photo on each step just to be sure? 😀
I should have… but I just went with the officially marked step. I can always photoshop myself onto others if necessary, right?
You are technically one mile and a Scott above sea level in that picture.
Correct!
This is like the Four Corners dilemma — where exactly is it? Santa Fe is at 7,000 feet so we look down at Denver. :o)
Interesting, I bet most people don’t know that. Santa Fe needs a catchy nickname so people really learn how high it is.
I’m against the metric system for one reason and one reason only – ‘Denver – the 1.6 km high city’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it….But seriously, i’m a big fan of our mile-high moniker and love all the places in the city that are marked out indicating the altitude. It’s also clearly marked out in all of our sports arenas/stadiums to remind the visiting teams exactly how high they are in order to psyche them out before they even take the field/floor/ice.
Ah, that’s some tricky psychology in the sports stadiums. Very smart idea!
Does that make you eligible for the mile-high club membership?
Haha, it sure does.
That’s the kind of thing I love. Steps of Colorado’s Capital on the bucket list.
It’s a fun side trip while visiting Denver.