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Denver International Airport (DEN) is owned and operated by the City and County of Denver. The airport is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Downtown Denver on the western edge of the Great Plains. Opened on February 28, 1995, Denver International Airport replaced the former Stapleton International Airport, which had operated since 1929. The new facility was constructed to accommodate growing demand, alleviate congestion and support long‐term expansion. Today, DEN is recognized as one of the world’s busiest airports and the largest airport in the Western
Hemisphere by land area, covering 52.4 square miles (33,531 acres).
DEN serves as the largest operating base for United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines. As of 2025, the airport hosted 27 airlines offering nonstop service to 230 destinations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
The airport is widely recognized for its iconic Jeppesen Terminal, featuring a distinctive tented fiberglass roof designed by architects Curt Fentress and James Bradburn. The structure evokes the silhouette of the snow‐capped Rocky Mountains and references the historic teepees of Native American tribes who once lived on the surrounding plains.
This roof has become one of the most recognizable architectural features of any U.S. airport.
DEN’s airfield contains six runways, including Runway 16R/34L, which at 16,000 feet is the longest public-use runway in North America and the seventh longest in the world. All remaining runways measure 12,000 feet. These long, parallel runways enable high‐capacity, all‐weather operations throughout the year.
The airport’s property is vast—larger than the cities of Boston, Miami, and San Francisco combined—and provides extensive room for future expansion. In fact, major U.S. airports such as Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles International, and Dallas–Fort Worth could collectively fit inside DEN’s boundaries.
DEN is consistently one of the busiest airports in the United States and the world. In 2024, it handled a record 82.4 million passengers. The airport has also seen significant growth in international travel and cargo operations, with 732 million pounds of cargo moving through the facility in 2024.
The airport’s central location in the United States makes it a key connecting hub for domestic and international flights. Its large runway capacity and efficient layout support extensive airline operations, particularly for United, Southwest, and Frontier.
DEN is widely regarded as Colorado’s most important economic engine. A 2025 economic impact study estimated that the airport generates $47.2 billion annually for the state. With more than 40,000 employees, it is also the largest employer in Colorado, supporting industries ranging from aviation and tourism to logistics and hospitality.
Over the years, Denver International Airport has attracted notable public attention not only for its architecture and size but also for various urban legends and conspiracy theories, which have become part of its cultural identity. Despite these myths, the airport continues to be celebrated for its innovative design, operational efficiency, and role as a gateway to the Rocky Mountain region.