The airport's distinctive white tensile architecture tension fabric roof, is aesthetically designed to be reminiscent of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in winter. Steel cables similar to those on the Brooklyn Bridge support the roof.[5] It is also known for a pedestrian bridge connecting the terminal to Concourse A that allows travelers to view planes taxiing directly underneath.

The airport is 25 miles (40 km) from downtown Denver[6], which is 19 miles (31 km) farther away than Stapleton International Airport, the airport it replaced. The distant location was chosen to avoid noise impacts to developed areas, to accommodate a generous runway layout that would not be compromised by winter storms, and to allow for future expansion. The 33,000 acres (52 sq mi/130 km²)[7] of land occupied by the airport is nearly twice the land area of Manhattan and slightly larger than the City and County of San Francisco. The land was transferred from Adams County to Denver after a 1989 vote,[8] increasing the city's size by 50 percent.[citation needed] However, much of the city of Aurora is actually closer to the airport than the developed portions of Denver, and all freeway traffic accessing the airport from central Denver passes through Aurora.

Denver International Airport has three midfield concourses, spaced far apart. Concourse A is accessible via a pedestrian bridge directly from the terminal building, as well as via the underground train system that services all three concourses. For access to Concourses B and C, passengers must utilize the underground train system. Since the design of the airport countenanced no back-up plan to the train system (for instance, no underground pedestrian tunnels) the occasions on which the trains have failed have been embarrassing to the airport management.

The concourses and main terminal have a similar layout to Atlanta's airport, except that DEN has no "T" gates directly attached to the terminal.

The airport charges relatively high landing fees to airlines in order to offset its construction costs as a direct result of the airport being built to support hub operations of United and Continental. Continental subsequently abandoned the hub shortly before their Bankruptcy in the 90's and prior to the Airport opening. While these fees had led to an effort to increase competition from Colorado Springs Airport, the failure of Western Pacific Airlines and Southwest Airlines's decision to operate out of DIA has left DIA as the only major national airport in the region.

On December 14, 2006, The Denver Post reported that DIA is expanding Concourse C in the airport's "first major concourse expansion." At least eight new gates will be constructed at the east end of Concourse C estimated at a total of approximately $160 million. Construction on Concourse C is estimated to take 3 years and will allow primarily Southwest Airlines, but also other carriers, to increase flight schedules at one of the nation's fastest-growing airports.

Denver International Airport's Concourse B also recently expanded with the addition of a regional jet terminal at the east side of Concourse B. This Regional Jet concourse consists of two smaller concourses or fingers which are connected to Concourse B via two bridges[19]. These gates allow direct jet bridge access to smaller Regional Jets. With the opening of the Regional Jet Concourse, United Airlines has left Concourse A entirely and now operates solely from Concourse B.

The Airport has also announced plans to revise the Airport Master Plan to account for changing circumstances since the airport opened. According to the December 14, 2006, Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News articles, plans are being drafted to extend the Main terminal to the South. This change would increase the number of ticketing counters and would also include a rail station for the terminus of the FasTracks commuter rail line from Denver's Union Station.

Denver also stated that they have started discussions with Frontier Airlines over possibly building another Regional Jet terminal on Concourse A. Since Denver International Airport is privately funded from operations all construction would be financed by bonds.

There are around 25,000 parking spaces at DIA plus an additional 8,900 for overflow. DIA has 10 different parking facilities, all accessed via Pena Boulevard. Eight of these facilities are adjacent to Jeppesen Terminal, with four on the Terminal's east side, and four on the west.

Pena Boulevard splits to provide access to both the east and west side arrivals and departure areas as well as parking facilities for each side. Overhead roadway signs advise motorists which airlines operate from the Terminal's east and west sides, and how to reach the arrivals area, departures area, and parking. Parking information is also available at 540 on your AM radio dial.

Departing passengers may walk to the terminal from one of DIA's parking facilities, or may be dropped off from a private vehicle on Level 6.

Arriving passengers claim their luggage at the Level 5 baggage claim and then proceed to Level 4 by escalator or elevator. There, they may be picked up at the curb by a private vehicle. For security reasons, vehicles may not park or wait at either the Arrivals or Departure levels of the Terminal. DIA has instituted a designated area where cars may wait for 45 minutes prior to picking up an arriving passenger. This waiting area is off Pena Boulevard. Contact must be made with the arriving party by cell phone; then the car may proceed to the arrivals level to meet their party.

Closest to the Terminal at DIA is the East and West Valet Parking, housed in two five-level parking garages on the east and west sides of the Terminal, respectively. Overnight parking is permitted; the first hour is $11, subsequent hours are $2, and the 24-hour rate is $27.

Sharing the same two five-level garages as the Valet Adjacent to the Valet Parking adjacent to the Terminal are the Short Term East and West. Overnight parking is not permitted; the hourly rate is $3.

On the side of each five-level garage that faces away from the Terminal are the areas designated as Garage East and Garage West. Overnight parking is permitted; the first hour rate is $2, and the 24-hour rate is $18.

Adjacent to each of the garages but still farther away from the Terminal building are the East and West Economy Lots. Overnight parking is permitted here; the hourly rate is $1, and the 24-hour rate is $9.

Long Term Parking The least costly parking option is the Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot, reached via the "75th Avenue/Rental Car Return" exit off Pena Boulevard. This lot is far enough away from the terminal to necessitate use of shuttle buses-they operate on 10-minute intervals-to ferry passenger to/from the Terminal. Allow at least 30 minutes transit from the Shuttle Lot to the Terminal. Overflow parking is available at the Mt. Elbert Shuttle Lot and the former National Rental car lot; these are only open when needed. Hourly rate is $1; the 24 hour rate is $5.