Black Forest Map of Black Forest
If you fly into Colorado Springs, you will notice a dark patch of thick pine north of the city on the plains. Around the turn of the century, upon seeing this dark wooded area, a German immigrant thought it closely resembled The Black Forest of his homeland; hence, the name. Before then, it was known as The Pinery and was the source of railroad ties, mine posts and lumber that built the Pikes Peak Region. Black Forest is rural and the residents are pretty set on keeping it that way, determined to preserve their way of life. Many homes are situated on five or more acres and you will find abundant wildlife inhabiting the woods. Many gentleman ranchers dot the area raising everything from llamas to Arabian horses. Temperatures average about ten degrees cooler than Colorado Springs, the growing season is about a month shorter and the area receives more moisture, especially in the winter. Long before white explorers discovered its beauty, the Indians had frequented the open prairie and pine woods of the Black Forest for hunting and shelter. However, the influx of settlers and prospectors to the Pike’s Peak region in 1859 sealed the fate of the Indian lands forced the tribes to move from their best land and bid farewell to their way of life. While isolated in some respects, Black Forest is only fifteen minutes from the malls and shopping centers that now dot the north and northeast part of Colorado Springs. Residents enjoy miles of trails in the rolling, wooded hills of Fox Run and Black Forest County Parks as they ride, run, snowshoe and cross-country ski. Life in the Forest typifies what is best about Colorado Springs: priceless recreation, nice homes and good schools...all witha little wilderness thrown in for good measure.
Addendum
Area: Approximately 200,000 acres (312 square miles).
Government: Unincorporated area. The term Black Forest is used to describe the area, but there are no formal boundaries.
Housing: $400,000
Income: $85,000
Economic Base: Residential, agriculture, horse farms.
Area Code for Phone Numbers is (719) unless noted otherwise
Library: Pikes Peak Library District Monument Branch, 1706 Lake
Woodmoor Dr., 488-2370, www.ppld.org. The book mobile stops at
two locations in Black Forest as well.
Local Newspaper: Black Forest News (weekly) 495-8750.
Location: 20 miles north, 5 miles west of Colorado Springs; rough boundaries are Hwy. 83 to Eastonville Rd./County Line to Woodmen Rd.
Medical Services: Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, 776-5000,
www.penrosestfrancis.org; Memorial Health System, 365-5000,
www.memorialhospital.com
Parks & Recreation: Black Forest and Fox RunRegional Parks (part of El Paso County Parks, 520-6375); Camp &Conference Center (488-3750); Black Forest Community Club, 12530 Black Forest Road, 495-3217; Colorado Springs Senior Center (385-5933).
Population: 13,247
Post Office: 6835 White Fir Lane, Colorado Springs 80908, 495-3223 11570 Black Forest Rd., Colorado Springs 80908, 495-4498
Protection: 911 Emergency, Colorado Springs Police 444-7000, El Paso CountySheriff 390-5555, Black Forest Fire &Rescue 495-3000 or www.bffire.org.
Schools: Lewis-Palmer District 38, 146 Jefferson, Monument 80132, 488- 4700, www.lewispalmer.org. Academy District 20, www.asd20.org
Tax Rate: Sales tax 4.9%. Call El Paso County Assessor’s Office for
property values and taxes, 520-6600.
Transportation: Yellow Cab 634-5000, Silver Key Transportation (for
seniors) 633-2611.
Utilities: Mountain View Electric 495-2283, Aquila Gas 800-303-0752,
private well and septic, Comcast Cable, See Basics A-Z.
El Paso County / Centennial Hall
200 S. Cascade • Colorado Springs 80903
General Information: 520-6200 • www.elpasoco.com
Helpful Phone Numbers
Black Forest Animal Sanctuary – 794-0158 or www.bfasfarm.com