Denver is known for its active outdoor lifestyle, great weather, awesome recreational opportunities, and diverse community. It's also one of the most gay-friendly cities in the country, and the rapid growth in the past decade can be attributed to the laid-back and accepting attitude that permeates the city even if the religious right outpost, Colorado Springs, looms about an hour drive away. The city offers a wide range of establishments, from small, hole-in-the-wall neighborhood bars to a wide selection of clubs, diverse nightlife, and lots of arts and culture. One of the most attractive things about Denver is that after enjoying a night out downtown, the foothills and the beautiful scenery of the Rocky Mountains is only ten minutes away, offering any recreational activity that you can imagine including skiing, snowboarding, fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping, to name just a few.