1. On May 16, 1947, a plane crashed into the Rocky Mountains near Loveland Pass, killing all 25 passengers and crew members onboard. The crash remains one of the deadliest in Colorado history.
2. In 1869, the first silver mines in Leadville were discovered on May 16. This discovery led to a silver rush and brought significant economic growth to the area.
3. On May 16, 1967, the Denver Nuggets were founded as a professional basketball team in the American Basketball Association. The team eventually joined the NBA in 1976.
4. Construction began on the Eisenhower Tunnel on May 16, 1968. The tunnel is 1.7 miles long and is the highest point on the Interstate Highway System, reaching an elevation of over 11,000 feet.
5. On May 16, 1920, the town of Holly was destroyed by a tornado, killing 23 people and injuring over 100. The tornado remains one of the deadliest in Colorado history.