There are 53 mountains in Colorado 14,000 feet or taller - all within relative striking distance West of the Mile-High City. And vast, unbroken plains stretch East like an ocean. This natural majesty can feel almost spiritual, and Denver is a reflection of this unique environment. The region's cultural, economic, and artistic hub, this singular city is the gateway to the American West. Locals call it New Denver. Alive with possibility, this industrial crossroads has morphed into a hip place for startups and artists, athletes, and breweries. The population is booming, and money and imagination infuse the city with energy. Practical and progressive, Denverites are proudly urban and independent. They ride electric bicycles and line dance at honky-tonks, work on freight trains and attend jazz clubs. But Denver still feels small. Naturally framed by the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains, Denver sits comfortably on the banks of the South Platte River. This is, literally, where the buffalo roamed, and many Native American tribes hunted here. Denver's old brick buildings and stately Victorian homes recall the city's founding in 1858 by gold miners and enterprising pioneers. Today's glass-fronted skyscrapers, upscale apartment buildings, and refurbished warehouses cater to people with a ken for reinvention. There's a brightness of spirit here, and Denver remains the place for new beginnings. AUTHOR: Philip D. Armour is a freelance journalist, editor, and author based in Colorado's Front Range. Published everywhere from The New York Times to Outside, he's equally comfortable skinning up 14ers and navigating Denver's backstreets. Philip has been enamored with "Paris on the Platte" since first visiting in 1992. If you're ever at Brother's Bar, please pay his tab. SELLING POINTS: . The ultimate insider's guide to Denver for locals and experienced travellers . Features interesting and unusual places not found in traditional travel guides . Part of the international 111 Places/111 Shops series with over 650 titles and 3.8 million copies in print worldwide . Fully illustrated with 111 full-page colour photographs