Urban renewal projects, speculation and reckless growth spurts have eliminated many of Denver’s notable and historic structures, especially in the Central Business District and Capitol Hill. Wholesale demolitions led to the establishment of the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission in 1967. Since then, more than 250 Individual landmarks, and 28 historic districts containing more than 6,000 structures have been designated for preservation. Looking around at Denver’s surviving architecture is a fine way to commemorate the city’s designers, builders and residents, to measure the community’s booms and busts, to approach its history. These monuments in brick and stone symbolize an optimism that has characterized the city ever since its gold-rush origins.