Denver International Airport

23mi/37km northeast of downtown Denver is the huge new Denver International Airport. Although opened in 1994, it came into operation only at the beginning of 1995 because of the chaos created initially by its fully automated baggage handling system, 53sq.mi/137sq.km in area, Denver International is the largest airport in the world, with six runways and three terminal buildings with a total of 100 gates.

Critics however are skeptical as to whether a city like Denver needs such a massive airport. The very imposing tent roof over the vast terminal building symbolizes the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains.