A large delegation of Denverites met on October 18, 1982, and it was decided to write letters to seven Mexican cities. Five cities responded, and the committee began to compile information about the five cities along with pictures. Some of the people were looking for cities with pyramids, universities, artisans, musicians, libraries, good weather, and many other attractive points

Located approximately one hour from Mexico City, it was chosen as Denver's sixth sister city on September 6, 1983.

Cuernavaca comes from the original Nahuatl name, Cuauhnahuac, which means "near the woods". Cuernavaca enjoys a spring-like climate with the rainy season from June through September. At an altitude of 5,055 feet, the average temperature range is from 65-74 degrees Farenheit. With a population of 313,000, Cuernavaca is the home of many Americans, particularly in retirement communities.

Within Cuernavaca there are many important historical sites. These include the Aztec ruins of Teopanzalco and Tepoztlan, the St. Francis Cathedral, the beautiful Borda Gardens, and the Caves of Cacahuamilpa. The Museo Cuauhnahuac contains the murals of Diego Rivera depicting the Spanish conquest.

Since Cuernavaca became a sister city, many exciting exchanges have taken place. High school students from both cities have traveled to each city, the Denver Committee has been able to help a home for unwed mothers in Cuernavaca, and in 1996 a Denver fire engine was refurbished and sent to Cuernavaca. Most recently Denver participated in Faces of the Future—The Millenium Project, by displaying life masks of Denver residents and students in Cuernavaca. The program hopes to have 2,000 face masks by the turn of the century.

Denver is known worldwide for having named parks after each one of its nine sister cities, which span four continents. Sister Cities International (SCI) is a non-profit citizen diplomacy network creating and strengthening partnerships between U.S. and international communities in an effort to increase global cooperation at the municipal level, to promote cultural understanding and to stimulate economic development.