 Although by the close of the 1860s , Denver residents could look with pride at their success establishing a vibrant supply and service center , the decision to route the nation 's first transcontinental railroad through Cheyenne , rather than Denver , threatened the prosperity of the young town . A daunting 100 miles away , citizens mobilized to build a railroad to connect Denver to the transcontinental railroad . Spearheaded by visionary leaders including Territorial Governor John Evans , David Moffat , and Walter Cheesman , fundraising began . Within three days , $ 300 @,@ 000 had been raised , and citizens were optimistic . Fundraising stalled before enough was raised , forcing these visionary leaders to take control of the debt @-@ ridden railroad . Despite challenges , on June 24 , 1870 , citizens cheered as the Denver Pacific completed the link to the transcontinental railroad , ushering in a new age of prosperity for Denver . 
