Denver is nestled on the west side of Lake Norman. This quiet, "laid back" town was originally known as "Dry Pond" and was settled in 1770. In 1873 "Dry Pond" was renamed "Denver" by a local principal named Matt Thompson in hopes of trying to get the railroads to route service throught the area which would have helped the area to flourish. By 1877 the town was incorporated, however, was unsuccessful in getting the railroads to come through which in turn caused the town to not be able to afford to maintain even its own roads and lost its incorporated status by 1971. Denver was centralized around the Post Office.

Today Denver is well known for the Historic Rock Springs Campground which was established in 1830 and still hosts annual religious gatherings just outside the center of town. Also just outside of town near the Cowans Ford Dam many people come to see the location or area where Revolutionary War events have taken place such as The Battle of Cowan's Ford. The actual war spot is now underwater but is marked by memorial markers. Denver is beginning to flourish and expand. There are several improvements being made already or are in the beginning stages. Examples are listed below:

• New Hwy 16 currently being paved above Optimist Rd to Mundy Road
  
• New Surgical Center opens off Optimist Club Rd by CMC. Future plans for expansion include an addition of an Urgent Care facility and expanded medical offices.
  
• Sally's YMCA will be located near the Surgical Center when construction starts
  
• Nearby Lincoln County Carolina's Medical Center-Lincoln off of Buffalo Shoals Road & McCallister Road is projected to be finished by the end of 2010 with a total of 101 beds.

Denver is centrally located with access to Charlotte and Hickory via Hwy 16, Cornelius and Huntersville via Hwy 73 and Mooresville via Hwy 150.