5280


5280 is the city magazine in Denver, Colorado, published by 5280 Publishing, Inc. Its name derives from Denver's elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level. It is published monthly. The monthly publication has an audited circulation of 77,027, making it the largest local magazine in Colorado. It is a member of the City and Regional Magazine Association.

History and profile

The magazine was founded in 1993 by Daniel Brogan, a former reporter and columnist for The Chicago Tribune.
Like other city and regional magazines, 5280 covers dining, entertainment, and special events, as well as local and regional politics. Its "daily blog of the latest news, gossip, and commentary from the Mile-High City" is called Elevated Voices.
Annual cover stories include the "Top of the Town" awards, with top ratings in a wide range of products, services, stores, shops and community features; "Top Doctors", listing top-rated physicians by specialty; and "Top Restaurants".
In 2002, the magazine broke the news that John Hickenlooper, a popular local bar owner, was considering a run for mayor and later endorsed Hickenlooper, who was then elected in 2003.
Since 2005, "5280" has been a finalist for six National Magazine Awards, "the magazine industry's highest honor." In 2005, 5280 was a finalist for both "Conduct Unbecoming" and "Private Stites Should Have Been Saved", by its Executive Editor Maximillian Potter. "Out in the Cold", an article by Mike Kessler on the plight of workers at the Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant, was a National Magazine Award finalist in 2008. "Low on O2", a package by Lindsey B. Koehler and Natasha Gardner exploring the effects of living at higher altitudes, was a finalist in 2010.
In 2016, 5280 acquired Colorado Parent.

Notable staff and contributors

Notable 5280 staff and contributors, past and present: