Denver isn't just "kind of" high up. It is exactly 5,280 feet above sea level, and if you've ever spent a day wandering around the Colorado State Capitol, you’ve probably seen people hovering over a specific spot on the stairs, trying to get that perfect "I'm exactly one mile high" selfie. But here is the thing that honestly trips most people up: there isn't just one denver mile high steps marker. There are actually three of them.
Why three? Science.
The Earth is constantly shifting, and our ability to measure it gets better every few decades. Back in 1909, a group of students from the University of Denver lugged their equipment out to the Capitol to find the magic spot. They carved it into the stone. Then, in 1969, a new survey found that the first guys were off. So, they added a second one. Fast forward to 2003, and modern GPS technology—which is basically magic compared to what they had in the early 1900s—determined that both of those were wrong. Now, we have a third one. It’s a whole thing.
The 15th Step vs. The Truth
If you walk up the West steps of the Capitol building, the ones facing the mountains and Civic Center Park, you’ll find the original denver mile high steps marker on the 15th step. It’s simple. It says "One Mile Above Sea Level" in all caps, engraved right into the granite. People love this one. It feels historic because it is. For over fifty years, this was the undisputed truth for every local and tourist in the city.
But then 1969 happened.
Engineers did a fresh survey and realized the 15th step was a bit of a lie. Well, maybe not a lie, but an approximation. They installed a small brass cap on the 18th step. If you look for it, you’ll see it’s much more "official" looking than the carving below it. But even that didn't last. In 2003, a team used sophisticated geodetic measurements to find that the actual mile-high point is on the 13th step.
Think about that for a second. The "real" spot moved five steps in less than a century.
Geodesy is a wild field. When you’re measuring height above sea level, you aren't just measuring from the waves in the Pacific. You're measuring against a mathematical model of the Earth's shape, called a geoid. Because the Earth isn't a perfect sphere—it’s more like a squashed grapefruit—and because the crust actually moves, these markers are basically "best guesses" based on the tech of the era.
Where to find them today
You can actually see all three today, which makes for a pretty great photo op if you’re into local trivia.
- The OG Marker (1909): Look at the 15th step. It's the most famous one.
- The 1969 Brass Cap: This one sits on the 18th step. It’s small, round, and looks like something a surveyor would leave behind.
- The Modern Marker (2003): This is on the 13th step. It’s a custom-designed bronze medallion featuring a mountain peak and the words "5280 Feet Above Sea Level."
Why the Elevation Actually Matters
Being a mile high isn't just a marketing slogan for the Colorado Rockies or a way to sell t-shirts at the airport. It changes how life works. If you’re visiting from sea level, your body is going to feel those steps.
Seriously.
The air is thinner. There is less oxygen. You might get a headache, or you might find yourself huffing and puffing just walking from the parking lot to the denver mile high steps marker. This is why locals tell you to drink twice as much water as you think you need. Alcohol also hits way harder up here. One beer at the Wynkoop Brewing Company feels like two in Los Angeles. It’s not a myth; it’s physiology.
Then there’s the physics of it.
If you go to a game at Coors Field, the ball flies further because there is less air resistance. If you’re baking a cake, you have to change the recipe. Water boils at a lower temperature—around 202°F instead of 212°F—because there’s less atmospheric pressure pushing down on the liquid. You’d think that would make things cook faster, but it actually takes longer to boil an egg because the water isn't as hot as it would be at the beach.
The Capitol Building Context
The markers are located at the Colorado State Capitol, which is worth a visit even if you don't care about the steps. The dome is covered in real 24-karat gold leaf. It’s meant to commemorate the Colorado Gold Rush, obviously.
Inside, the building is basically a museum of rare Rose Onyx. It’s a beautiful, waxy-looking stone that was all quarried from a single site near Beulah, Colorado. They actually used up the entire supply of it for the building. There is literally no more of it left in the world. If a piece breaks, they have to get creative with repairs because you can't just go buy more Beulah Red Marble.
Misconceptions About the Mile High City
A lot of people think the entire city is at the exact same elevation. It’s not. Denver is hilly. The "Mile High" designation is specific to that one point on the Capitol steps. If you go over to the Highland neighborhood or up toward Federal Boulevard, you’re actually higher than a mile. If you head down toward the South Platte River, you’re lower.
The denver mile high steps marker is a benchmark, a fixed point of reference.
Another weird fact: the steps themselves have been replaced. When you have thousands of people standing on the same spot every year for a century, the granite wears down. During various renovations, the city has had to be incredibly careful to ensure that when they replaced the stones, they put the markers back in the scientifically correct spots.
How to get the best photo
If you want the "classic" shot, go to the 15th step. It’s the one that looks the most like a postcard. But if you want to be a "know-it-all" (in a fun way), take the photo on the 13th step and tell everyone that the other markers are technically lies based on outdated 20th-century technology.
- Timing: Go in the morning. The sun hits the West steps directly in the afternoon, which can create some harsh shadows and glare on the brass.
- Crowds: During the legislative session, the place is crawling with people. If you go on a weekend, it’s usually much quieter.
- Security: You don't have to go through security to see the steps; they are outside. But you should definitely go inside the building (which does require a metal detector) to see the gold dome and the onyx.
The Science of the Shift
You might wonder why we can't just pick a spot and stick with it. The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) updates its "datums" every so often. A datum is basically a starting point for measuring the Earth.
The 1969 marker was based on the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929. By the time 2003 rolled around, we were using the North American Vertical Datum of 1988, plus GPS. With the 2003 measurement, they actually used 24 hours of satellite data to pin down the elevation to within a few millimeters.
Is it possible the marker will move again? Honestly, yeah. As our gravity models get better and as the Earth's crust continues its slow-motion dance, the "official" mile-high point might shift to the 12th or 14th step fifty years from now.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you are planning to track down the denver mile high steps marker, keep these logistics in mind to make the trip worth it:
- Park at the Cultural Center Garage: It’s a short walk across Civic Center Park and usually cheaper than trying to find a meter on Lincoln or Broadway.
- Look for the "Beulah Red": Once you've seen the steps, go inside and look at the walls. The red stone is actually a type of limestone colored by iron oxide. It’s unique to Colorado.
- Check the Dome Tour: If you have time, take the official tour. They take you up into the dome, and the view of the Front Range is arguably better than the view from the steps.
- Visit the "Zero Milestone": While you're in the area, look for the survey marker in Civic Center Park that serves as the "Point Zero" for all Colorado roads. It’s another cool, nerdy spot for map lovers.
- Hydrate: It sounds like a cliché, but the altitude is real. If you’re walking up those steps, you’re already exerting yourself in thinner air. Carry a water bottle.
The denver mile high steps marker is more than just a spot on a staircase; it’s a living record of how our understanding of the planet has evolved. It’s a place where history, politics, and high-level math all collide on a piece of granite. Whether you stand on the 13th, 15th, or 18th step, you’re part of a century-old tradition of people looking for their place in the world—exactly 5,280 feet up.
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Next Steps for Your Denver Visit
- Download a GPS altimeter app: Use it when you stand on the 13th step to see how close your phone gets to the 5,280-foot reading.
- Walk West to Civic Center Park: After seeing the steps, walk directly West through the park for a perfect symmetrical view of the Capitol building framed by the City and County building.
- Visit the Denver Mint: It's only a few blocks away. You can see where billions of coins are made, though you need to book those tours months in advance.
- Head to a "Mile High" brewery: Many local spots, like Wynkoop or Great Divide, have nods to the elevation in their decor or beer names.