In 1993, the publishers of 5280 canvassed the Denver area with the intention of getting at the heart of what's important to its citizens. With its name honoring Denver's mile-high elevation (5,280 feet)—the name 63,360 inches was already taken—the magazine's editors and writers seek to represent their city with in-depth, honest, and exciting stories about local arts, entertainment, and dining. Each glossy, full-color issue comes loaded with restaurant reviews and profiles of locals making an impact on the region. With recurring stories such as "Top of the Town," "Top Doctors," and the annual restaurant guide, 5280 aims to guide locals and visitors to healthy, enriched lives.

Today, the magazine boasts a distribution of 85,000, making it one of Colorado's top-selling magazines. It was also named one of the five best city magazines in America by the City and Regional Magazine Association.