Welcome to Colorado Springs!
A rich history, coupled with an enviable quality of life, has been instrumental in Colorado Springs’ development.
Colorado Springs began as the dream of Gen eral William Jackson Palmer, an ambitious promoter for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad in the post-Civil War period. He envisioned a city of the future with a mountain backdrop where culture, temperance and gracious living would not be ruined by industry and slums, as had been the case in his native London, England. The first stake of the city was driven in 1871 at what is now the downtown corner of Pikes Peak and Cascade.
General Palmer’s “Little London” was born a few miles east of a hard-working, good-time village known as Colorado City, a miner’s and miller’s town that was a bit too bawdy for the General. First called Fountain Colony, Palmer’s young city soon came to be known as Colorado Springs – a derivative of Colora•do City and the mineral springs in the nearby town of Manitou Village.
Under the watchful eye of General Palmer, temperance was strictly enforced within the city. One enterprising speakeasy featured a revolving “spiritual wheel” by which a customer could put two bits down and receive a glass of liquor, thereby preserving the anonymity of both the barkeep and customer. Even this alcohol automat could not withstand the pressures exerted by Palmer and was soon liquidated.
Some of Colorado City’s buildings still exist along Colorado Avenue between 21st and 31st Streets, which is now known as “Old Colorado City”, and serves as an interesting tourist and shopping spot.
When gold was discovered in nearby Cripple Creek in 1891, Colorado Springs found that it was surrounded by more than scenic wealth. Colorado Springs soon became a favorite depository for the hard-won mineral and a favored place of residence for those it made wealthy. Crusty old miners, whose best friends were their mule became millionaires. Many built extravagant homes along what was then known as “Millionaires Row”, now an exclusive neighborhood near downtown.
With the discovery of gold came wealth and with wealth came people anxious to share in it: promoters, industrialists, gamblers, and even artists and writers flocked to what was touted as the richest city per capita in the nation. The city benefited from the prosperity in the form of parks, substantial office buildings, gracious mansions and luxurious hotels.
Following the decline and fall of the Cripple Creek gold fortunes around 1909, the young Colorado Springs economy declined. Civic minded businessmen led by Spencer Penrose, determined that with the invention of the automobile, tourism could bring the town back to prosperity. So in 1915, Pen rose built a road to the top of Pikes Peak, thereby proving that the newfangled contraption, soon to make Henry Ford a billionaire, could literally go just about anywhere. A year later, the inexhaustible Penrose began building the Broadmoor Hotel, which opened two years later. Under Penrose’s leadership the natural tourist-attracting beauty of the area was supplemented by facilities making Colorado Springs even more unique and desirable to out-of-town guests.
From these beginnings the city has seen continuous and sometimes explosive growth. Colorado Springs’ current population is now over 390,000 and El Paso County is over 550,000. Projections expect that the city will have a pop•ulation of approximately 422,000 and the county of 608,000 by the year 2010.
Continued growth in the already significant military presence, as well as defense related high-tech industries, have been major factors fueling Colorado Springs’ never-ending momentum. At the same time, modern day adventurers have come to the Springs to seek their fortunes and take advantage of the unique climate. The small business sector has maintained robust performance, with tourism an important contributor to the overall economic profile.
Housing continues to expand, although at a slower pace than previous years. The offerings that are available show any number of different styles, price points and quality locations. It is easy to see why the idea of striking out west to seek your fortune makes perfect sense when you consider Colorado Springs as your future home. The city has become the focal point for commerce, technology, culture and industry as the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. And, it all started with a dream.
ADDENDUM
Area: 185.7 square miles.
Government: City Council-Manager.
Housing: Varies widely, from $130,000 (southeast) to $475,000 (Northgate).
Income: $60,131
Economic Base: Well diversified with information and technology businesses, military, defense industries, health care, education, retail downtown, established and new residential areas.
Area Code For Phone Numbers is (719) unless noted otherwise
Library: Pikes Peak Library District, Administration 531-6333, www.ppld.org; see “Basics” section in this publication for branch locations.
Local Newspaper: The Gazette(daily) 632-5511, http://www.gazette.com, subscription to electronic edition is available.
Location: In the foothills of the Rampart Range (Rocky Mountains), 6,000 feet above sea level, 70 miles south of Denver off I-25.
Medical Services: Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, www.penrosestfrancis.org, 776-5000; Memorial Health System, 365-5000, www.memorialhospital.com. (See Health Care)
Parks & Recreation: Approximately 12,000 acres of parks, numerous trails, Palmer Park, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Memorial Park which has offices for adult sports (385-5981), Sertich Ice Arena (385-5983), Aquatic & Fitness Center (385-5984), Tennis Center (385-6023), plus numerous community centers and a senior center (385-5933).
Population: 392,164 (2006 estimate)
Post Offices: See “Basics” section in this publication for numerous locations.
Protection: 911 Emergency; Police 444-7000; Fire 385-5950; El Paso Sheriff 390-5555 (dispatch), 520-7100 (front desk).
Schools: Colorado Springs School District 11. (See School Chart)
Tax Rate: 2.5% City Sales Tax, 1.0% RTA Tax, 1.0% County Sales, 2.9% State Sales, Total 7.4%.
Transportation: Mountain Metro Transit, Metro Mobility, Front Range Express Bus – 385-7433, www.springsgov.com, Yellow Cab Taxi 634-5000.
Utilities: Colorado Springs Utilities, Comcast Cable, Orange Broadband in Fort Carson.
Springs utility bills 5th-lowest
Mild climate, city ownership reduce gas, electric costs
By PAM ZUBECK
THE GAZETTE
December 8, 2007
Climate and customer ownership of Colorado Springs Utilities combine to rank the typical Springs residential energy bill as fifth-lowest in
the nation, according to a recent study of 300 cities.
The typical residential monthly gas and electric bills total $118.69 in Colorado Springs, compared with a national average of $163.41,
according to the Council for Community and Economic Research study, which has conducted polls on energy usage for years.
The survey compared cities based on a typical residential bill averaged over a year in each city.
Colorado Springs Utilities’ ranking is helped by the fact that summers are mild — many homes aren’t air-conditioned — and winters aren’t often severe for weeks or months like they usually are in, say, Minneapolis.
“Having a relatively mild climate helps keep our usage down,” said Utilities spokesman Dave Grossman. “But being able to generate
most of our own power locally helps keep rates low, and our longterm proactive energy-buying practices helps keep natural gas rates
down.”
The city’s long-term gas contracts minimize price fluctuations. The city also buys gas throughout the year and stores it in underground
caverns for use when prices escalate.
In addition, because both electric and gas are owned by the city, Utilities doesn’t have to show a profit to satisfy stockholders. It also
enjoys lower borrowing rates than for-profit companies, further lowering costs. Lastly, Utilities pays a flat payment-in-lieu of taxes to the
city of roughly $26 million, while for-profit utility companies must pay property tax on assets and sales tax on purchases. Of the five cities
that ranked lowest on rates, three run both electric and gas utilities.
The lowest four:
- Weatherford, Texas — $112.02; owns electric; gas provided by Texas Gas Service.
- Loveland — $112.76; owns electric; gas provided by XCEL.
- Albany, Ga. — $113.53; owns both.
- Pryor Creek, Okla. — $113.67; owns both.
Other Colorado cities included in the report:
- Denver — $174.41
- Glenwood Springs — $151.64
- Grand Junction — $128.01
- Greeley — $153.69
- Gunnison — $135.29
- Pueblo — $129.61
CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazette.com
City of Colorado Springs
107 N. Nevada Ave. • Colorado Springs 80901
385-2489 • www.springsgov.com
Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce
2. N. Cascade Ave., Suite 110 • Colorado Springs 80903
635-1551 • www.coloradospringschamber.org
The Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau
515 S. Cascade Ave. • Colorado Springs 80903
635-7506 • www.experiencecoloradosprings.com
Visit the Visitors Bureau's Ad Page