CENTURY 21 Curbow Realty

Colorado Springs, CO Area Guide

• Introduction
• History
• Parks & Recreation
• Events & Attractions
• More Info

The crossroads of the Old West and modern innovaton, the city of Colorado Springs offers the best of modern urban convenience in one of the most picturesque settings in our nation. First established as a resort town in the 1870's, Colorado Springs is still known today as a tourist destination. Weather in Colorado Springs has been a draw for over 100 years, with mild summers and snowy, yet inviting winters. Generations of visitors have flocked to the Colorado Springs area to climb Pikes Peak, the easternmost of the big peaks of Colorado and the second-most visited mountain in the world after Mt. Fuji in Japan. While Colorado is often known as a snowy winter wonderland, heavy drifts of snow that rarely impede downtown traffic in Colorado Springs, making it a perfect home base to explore the best of Colorado including the snowy slopes of Aspen and the culture, sports and nightlife of Denver.

But Colorado Springs itself has much more in store than tourism. A number of famous high-tech companies make their headquarters in Colorado Springs like Agilent, Atmel, Cypress Semiconductor and Verizon. The most significant contributor to the economy of Colorado Springs has been the military, with the city being home to a large number of military organizations and the United States Air Force Academy. A number of indices from leading consumer and business publications have ranked Colorado Springs as one of the most robust and fastest growing economies in the United States.

Though Colorado Springs has grown frontier resort town to center of military and technological advancement, one aspect of life has remained constant throughout its history—a commitment to preserving its beautiful outdoors. A " Tree City USA" for 31 consecutive years, Colorado Springs invites residents to partake in the outdoors. This is also one of the reasons that Colorado Springs often ranks as the "most fit" city in the United States. Hiking, running, biking, rafting, boating, rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, golfing and ballooning are some of the most popular activities that are enjoyed year-round in this mild climate.

The great climate and unparalleled outdoor setting in Colorado Springs not only draws frequent exercisers out of their home. A revitalized downtown area offers a vibrant mix of small business, parks, public art, unique galleries and world-class shopping, attracting both young and old to stroll along its streets.

With a growing economy, relatively mild winters and summers, and features of any modern urban area like parks, business centers, cultural opportunities, Colorado Springs has been recognized by many publications as one of the best larger cities in which to live in the United States.

Colorado Springs History

Archeologists have found that first people to live in the shadow of what would become Pikes Peak come from some of the oldest prehistoric groups including the Clovis (9000-1100 B.C.), Folsom (9000-7500 B.C.), and Plano (8200-5300 B.C.). Though these nomadic hunters did not build settlements in the area, their artifacts that have been found evidence their presence in this beautiful land.

In more recent history, the Ute Indians moved into Colorado from the West around 1300 A.D., where they remained through the Spanish discovery of the region in the 1500's. The Apaches, Comanches, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians all in turn inhabited the area around modern-day Pikes Peak from the 16 th to the first half of the 19 th century.

Though the Spanish were the first to discover Colorado in the 16 th century on their quest to find cities of gold and silver, they too would also be displaced by another group, the French. The 1700's saw French trappers and traders seeking out new bounty in the western frontier. Though the territory was originally French, Colorado was ceded to Spain in 1762, and then returned to France in 1800. France's reclamation of the territory, however, was short-lived as Colorado was included in the Louisiana Purchase, land Napoleon sold to the nascent United States of America to finance his mounting war debts.

American explorers Lewis and Clark came to the area shortly after it was purchased. The namesake of Pikes Peak, Zebulon Pike, made a failed attempt to climb the massive peak in 1803 while spying on Spanish Activity. As early as 1806, the peak was referred to on many maps as " Pike's Peak."

The economic depression experienced by the country in the 1850's stirred renewed interest in the economic stability of precious metals. The summer of 1858, gold was discovered near the present site of downtown Denver, prompting the famous Pikes Peak Gold Rush.

Although gold was not immediately discovered near Pikes Peak, mining did have an instant impact on the region's development. A mining boom town, Colorado City, sprung up in 1859. Shortly after, people began to move to the town to sell miners the food, equipment and other services they needed. These residents "mined the miners," offering them many ways to spend their newfound riches. Gold would be discovered throughout the territory in the following years. The Cripple Creek-Victor Mining District would become Colorado's greatest gold camp attracting tens of thousands to the region.

This picturesque setting near Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods provided General William Palmer inspiration to create a premier resort community in 1871. Seeking to create an idyllic sanctuary away from the rough and tumble of the mining town of Old Colorado City, Palmer sought to create a totally dry town (which remained so until the end of Prohibition in 1933). Even going so far as to buy the land immediately east of Colorado City to create a buffer zone between the rambunctious miners and tourists, Palmer took extreme measures to make sure that his dream became a reality.

In the first years after the resort town was opened, Colorado Springs saw relative success in attracting tourists. The first resort hotel, Antlers Hotel, opened a couple of years after the first tourists came to town. Colorado Springs also earned the nickname of "Little London" for the large number of British tourists who flocked to the area. Other U.S. and international travelers also journeyed to Colorado Springs to seek out the high altitude and dry climate that was believed to promote well-being, especially among those who suffered from tuberculosis. Colorado Springs also attracted famed scientist Nikola Tesla, who chose the area to work on his high-voltage and high-frequency experiments.

To bring more people to his resort town, Palmer founded the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. Along with other lines, Palmer's railroads would become a vital transportation route not only for tourism, but to capitalize on the gold pouring from the mines of the Pike's Peak Gold Rush.

Those who struck it rich in the Pike's Peak Gold Rush and the surrounding industry did not stay in the in the mining boomtown of Colorado City. Instead, seeking a quieter place to settle, these more affluent people built their homes in nearby Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation

The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Department of Colorado Springs maintains 7 regional parks, 8 community parks, 136 neighborhood parks, 5 sports complexes, 2 golf courses and 47 open space areas.

Serving over 1 million people annually, the Deparment proudly offers activities and facilities for all ages and backgrounds. Aquatic and ice activities, adult and youth sports, community and senior centers, therapeutic recreation, ADA Accessible parks, and adaptive programs are just part of Colorado Springs' commitment to meeting the needs of all residents and visitors.

The founder of Colorado Springs, General William Jackson Palmer began the park system in the city by donating over 1,200 acres of parkland, trails and scenic roadways. Some of the most popular locations include The Garden of the Gods, Memorial Park, Palmer Park, and Cheyenne Canyon. 

A major goal of the Department is to maintain the open spaces and natural settings originally gifted by Palmer through a diverse system of land and recreational resources.

Garden of the Gods

These unusual rock formations have attracted day visitors and rock climbers for almost 100 years. In addition to rock climbing, the park offers picnicking, hiking, horseback riding and running trails. Also in the park is the Rock Ledge Ranch, a working historical ranch giving visitors a glimpse of life 100 years ago.

North Slope Recreation Area

A short half-hour drive from Colorado Springs, the North Slope Recreation Area offers hiking trails, mountain biking, picnic areas, boating and fishing. Boating one of the parks three reservoirs is permitted. The park has handicapped accessible areas with some paved trails and fishing areas.

Memorial Park

Located one mile east of downtown, Memorial Park is home to a variety of sports facilities. At Memorial Park, one can find the Municipool, the Mark Pa Sertich Ice Center, two softball diamonds, tennis courts, a baseball park, and soccer fields. Also at the park is Prospect Lake. Fishing, swimming and boating are all popular activities at this lake. Cyclists train at an Olympic-size velodrome located at the park facility.

North Cheyenne Canyon and Palmer Park

Both of these parks exhibit the best of rugged Colorado scenery. Hiking trails and picnic facilities are popular at the park. Some trails are open to horses and dirt bikes.

For more information on Colorado Springs parks, please visit this site: http://www.springsgov.com/.

Colorado Springs Events and Attractions

Colorado Springs is home to a variety of events and attractions. Naturally, Colorado Springs is known by many for the best in outdoor adventures. Colorado Springs today is known for much more than the great outdoors! The city prides itself on offering many of the cultural opportunities and venues like other larger cities. Catch nationally known comedy acts, or see live music and theater. Great museums and galleries can also be found in Colorado Springs. Whether indoors or out, spring, summer, winter or fall, Colorado Springs has it all!

Events Calendar

Annual Downtown Events

From Spring Spree to the Parade of Lights, the annual events downtown are worth looking forward to all year long. People line the streets of downtown for great events throughout the year. Thousands come with hot chocolate (or ice cream, depending on the season) to watch the Parade of Lights, the St. Patrick's Day, Veterans' Day, Gay Pride or Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade. Downtown is also pedestrian packed during SpringSpree, an annual summer event with food, games, fundraisers, and shopping, and the Street Breakfast, a free breakfast by the Range Riders. There are music festivals and special events all year long that keep the streets busy and the crowds happy.

More Events

For top events and attractions in Colorado Springs, The Gazette, Colorado Springs' newspaper, a great calendar on their website, http://events.gazette.com/. This calendar is updated weekly and is a great source of information if you want to find out what's going on in Colorado Springs.

Famous Colorado Springs Attractions

Pikes Peak Mountain

One of the most eastern peaks of the Rocky Mountains, Pikes Peak was, and continues to be, a symbol of America's obsession with the frontier. " Pikes Peak or Bust" was the slogan of many seeking to make their fortune in the 1859 gold rush. Today this iconic peak is the second most visited mountain in the world behind Japan's Mt Fuji. Even though Pike's Peak towers over 14,000 feet above sea level, climbing this mountain by car is popular with tourists. Cars can traverse a 38 mile round trip trail that will take visitors to the summit of Pike's Peak.

Cave of the Winds

One of Colorado's most unique attractions, Cave of the Winds is home to some of the most stunning underground geologic displays in the world. Known to the Jicarilla Apaches as where the Great Spirit of the Wind resided, these caves were rediscovered in the late 1800's, and have since been one of Colorado Springs' greatest natural attractions.

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

The Manitou Cliff Dwellings is located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, at the foot of Pikes Peak. The Cliff Dwellings were home to the Anasazi and built more than 700 years ago. The Manitou Cliff Dwellings are open seven days a week, year round, except for Christmas Day and Thanksgiving. Authentic Native American dance is exhibited at the dwellings in the summer.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

See animals from around the world at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. In the "African Rift Valley" exhibit, see giraffes, meerkats, zebra, antelope and more. The "Primate World" features lion tailed macaques, orangutans, siamangs, and gorillas. In the "Asian Highlands" area, see tigers, Pallas cats and leopards. The new "Rocky Mountain Wild" exhibits features animals native to Colorado and beyond with moose, mountain lions, Canada lynx, North American river otters, grizzly bears and bald eagles.

For more information on Colorado Springs area attractions, please visit our list of Colorado Springs area attractions.

More Colorado Springs Information

• Colorado Springs Area Attractions
• Colorado Springs City Map
• Colorado Springs Area Schools
• Colorado Springs Relocation Guide