The year is 1876. It’s a leap year. On Feb. 2, the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs is born, laying the framework for the future of America’s pastime (the Colorado Rockies would join the National League a mere 117 years later).

Also in 1876:

• Alexander Graham Bell made the first successful telephone call on March 10, saying “Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you.”
• The United States celebrated its 100th birthday on July 4.
• Rutherford B. Hayes won the presidency the same night someone tried to steal Abraham Lincoln’s body out of the Lincoln Tomb on Nov. 7.

Oh, and on Aug. 1, 1876, Colorado officially sheds its territory title and becomes the 38th state in the Union.

Denver Water has been around for 100 years of this journey, soon to be 101 on Aug. 6, 2019, and we’re reminded every day just how lucky we are to live in such an amazing, beautiful state.

So, in honor of Denver’s motherland turning the big ONE-FOUR-THREE, we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane and showcase some of our favorite photos from the last 14 decades.

Happy birthday, Colorado. Here’s hoping the next 143 are as magnificent as the first.