In perhaps an unprecedented move, Visit Denver and Visit Seattle — the booster organizations for both Super Bowl cities — issued a joint press release Thursday listing the similarities between the two (now) rival burgs. Here’s what it said:
“Their geographic locations could not be more different. Denver is located 5,280 feet above sea level on high rolling plains at the base of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Seattle is located in one of the most spectacular natural harbors of the world. But despite these physical differences, Denver and Seattle actually share much in common.
Not on the list is the fact that I have lived in both cities – twice! And that Colorado and Washington both voted to approve recreational marijuana sales.
Other than that little-known factoid, compare these stats:
“Denver – founded in 1858 as a gold-mining camp.
“Seattle – founded in 1851 as a logging and fishing center.
“Denver – 2012 population of 634,264 making it the 23rd largest city in the U.S.
“Seattle – 2012 population of 634,535 making it the 22nd largest city in the U.S.
“When bypassed by the transcontinental railroad, Denver built its own connecting railroad in 1869.
“When bypassed by the transcontinental railroad, Seattle forced its own connecting railroad in 1883.
“Denver was rescued from a deep depression by the discovery of gold nearby in Cripple Creek in 1890.
“Seattle was rescued from a deep depression by the discovery of gold nearby along the Klondike River in Canada in 1897.
“Denver has a history of boom and bust economies and is currently booming with eight new downtown skyscrapers, 1,500 hotel rooms and a rail line from downtown to Denver International Airport all under construction.
“Seattle has a history of boom and bust economies and is currently booming with aerospace, computer software, biotech, e-commerce and international trade.
“From the late 19th to mid 20th century, Denver was known as The Queen City of the Plains.
“From the late 19th to mid 20th century, Seattle was known as The Queen City.
“Denver has a national reputation for beer, including Coors, Great Divide, Breckenridge and Wynkoop breweries.
“Seattle has a national reputation for beer, including Red Hook, Pike and Pyramid.
“The cartoon South Park takes place near Denver and frequently features Denver landmarks.
“The comic strip Doonesbury takes place in Seattle and frequently features Seattle landmarks.
“Denver is home to the first Chipotle and the first Quiznos, both of which started here.
“Seattle is home to the first Starbucks, Nordstrom, Boeing and Amazon.com, which started there.
“Favorite city movie titles: ‘Things to do in Denver When You’re Dead.’ ‘Sleepless in Seattle.’
“Actors from Denver: Amy Adams, Don Cheadle, Keri Russell, AnnaSophia Robb, Matt Stone, Trey Parker.
“Actors from Seattle: Anna Faris, Raine Wilson, Tom Skerritt (who ironically lived in Crested Butte for awhile), Bruce Lee.”
But come Super Bowl Sunday, these towns will have nothing in common except the desire to win!
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