 The Denver MSA has a gross metropolitan product of $ 157 @.@ 6 billion in 2010 , making it the 18th largest metro economy in the United States . Denver 's economy is based partially on its geographic position and its connection to some of the major transportation systems of the country . Because Denver is the largest city within 500 miles ( 800 km ) , it has become a natural location for storage and distribution of goods and services to the Mountain States , Southwest states , as well as all western states . Another benefit for distribution is that Denver is nearly equidistant from large cities of the Midwest , such as Chicago and St. Louis and some large cities of the West Coast , such as Los Angeles and San Francisco . 
