If you've just moved to Denver, you might nod your head after seeing this meme.

In the first panel of the image, Winnie the Pooh is dressed in a suit and smiling leisurely, with '303 area code' written on it. In the second panel, he looks at the '720 area code' with a neutral expression, and in the last panel, he has a forced smile while grimacing, with '983 area code' appearing.

The essence of this meme satirizes the "subtle feelings Denver residents have as new area codes are introduced."

For those who have lived in Denver for a long time, 303 is more than just a phone number. It's the first area code in Colorado, used since 1947, and is seen as a symbol of being a 'true Denverite.' In the past, all of Colorado used only 303, so many long-time residents, traditional businesses, and old homes still have 303 numbers.

However, in the 1990s, Denver's population exploded. With the increase in cell phones, faxes, and internet lines, phone numbers became scarce, leading to the addition of 720 in 1998. This is where the confusion begins.

303 and 720 are overlay area codes for the same Denver region. This means that while the addresses are the same, some people use 303 and others use 720.

When you first arrive in Denver, it can be really confusing.

"Is the 303 number the real Denver number?"

"Is 720 for the outskirts?"

"Is 720 a number with a lot of spam calls?"

To conclude, none of these assumptions are true. Both numbers are part of the same Denver metro area; they just have different issuance dates.

What's interesting, though, is people's perceptions.

If you have a 303 number, you might hear jokes like, "You must have lived here a long time," or "Are you a local?" Conversely, a 720 number might just give off the vibe of "You must have just gotten this number," but there's no real discrimination.

However, the situation has changed recently.

Since 2022, the 983 area code has also been added due to the shortage of phone numbers in the Denver metro area.

That's why you see the forced smile on Pooh's face in the last panel.

"I just got used to 720, and now there's 983?"

In fact, when you activate a new cell phone, there's a chance you'll get a 983 number. Many people find themselves searching online, asking, "Where is this number from?" or "Is this in Colorado?"

There's another catch to living in Denver.

Since 303, 720, and 983 all use the same area, you now have to include the area code when dialing even your next-door neighbor. You can't just dial the 7-digit number like before. Newcomers to the U.S. often find this quite confusing.

It's also helpful to know about other area codes in Colorado.

719 is used in the southeastern region, including Colorado Springs and Pueblo, while 970 covers most areas outside the Denver metro, such as Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Durango, and Steamboat Springs. In contrast, 303, 720, and 983 all share the same metro area, including Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, Thornton, Littleton, and Boulder.

Ultimately, this meme isn't just poking fun at the phone numbers. It humorously satirizes the reality of "the growing population in Denver leading to the continuous addition of area codes."

The old 303 has a classic feel, 720 is the now-familiar new generation number, and the recently introduced 983 still feels awkward as a newcomer.

I think this is why Denver residents chuckle when they see it.