Denver City, Texas

Denver City is a city located in Yoakum County in the far western portion of the U.S. state of Texas, near the New Mexico boundary. It is named for the petroleum company Denver Productions. The population was 4,470 at the 2020 census, down from 4,479 at the 2010 census. The city is located at the intersection of Texas State Highways 214 and 83.

History
Denver City traces its origins to the development of the Wasson oil pool. Oil leasing activities in the area trace back to 1927, gaining momentum with a significant strike in 1935. In 1939, C. S. Ameen and Ben Eggink founded the town, combining "Denver" from Denver Productions, where Ameen's friend worked, with "City" to express confidence in its future.

Incorporated on March 26, 1940, Denver City swiftly organized its governance with a mayor and city council. The city established the Denver City Volunteer Fire Department, ordering a fire truck, and forming utility services, such as a water company and gas company.

In 2008, the Denver City Independent School District presented a bond package for new and renovated facilities. Upgrades included a new high school, tennis courts, a junior-high band hall, an industrial arts facility, a sports complex, a maintenance center, an athletics field house, and a bus barn. Renovations included classrooms, science labs, offices and foyer, a parking lot, a main field house, and a bus barn for the junior-high campus.

On May 11, 2013, voters in both Denver City and Yoakum County, as well as Crosby County, also in West Texas, all previously under local-option prohibition laws, approved the sale of liquor.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, Denver City has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2), all land.

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,470 people, 1,516 households, and 1,012 families residing in the town.

2010 census
According to the census of 2010, 4,479 people, 1,770 households, and 1,578 families resided in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 63.3% Hispanic, 31.2% White, 1.3% African American, 1% Native American, 0.6% Asian, and 2.5% from two or more races.

Notable people

 * Chip Bennett, former NFL player with the Cincinnati Bengals
 * Mario Lopez, Saved by the Bell star and TV personality