The Colorado State Capitol was completed in 1900. In 1908, the dome was covered in 24 Karat gold. Yes that is real gold on the dome, a reminder of why Denver exists in the first place. It is on the front steps of the Capitol that you see the marker proclaiming the elevation as one mile above see level. The original marker is on the 15th step. Another marker was added in 1869 when Colorado State University Student completed their own survey and found a different elevation. In 2003 a marker was placed on the 13th step based on modern surveying methods. This is officially one mile above sea level.