Colorado Springs

by The Linguist

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado Springs is a city located in El Paso County in central Colorado. With a population of 478,961 as of 2022, it is the second most populous city in Colorado after Denver and the 40th most populous city in the United States.

History

Colorado Springs was founded in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer as a resort town. Due to its sunny climate, beautiful scenery, and outdoor attractions, it quickly became a popular destination for tourists and health seekers. Some key moments in Colorado Springs history include:

  • 1871 – General William Jackson Palmer founded Colorado Springs
  • 1872 – Colorado Springs became the territorial capital of Colorado
  • 1878 – Spencer Penrose was born in Colorado Springs. He played a major role in the city’s development in the early 1900s.
  • 1897 – The first automobile arrived in Colorado Springs
  • 1899 – The Broadmoor luxury resort opened
  • 1942 – Camp Carson (now Fort Carson) army base established
  • 1951 – Peterson Air Force Base established
  • 1984 – The United States Olympic Training Center relocated to Colorado Springs

To learn more about Colorado Springs history, visit the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum.

Geography and Climate

Colorado Springs is located at the foot of Pikes Peak, a prominent mountain just west of the city that rises over 14,000 feet. The city has an elevation of around 6,000 feet above sea level.
It has a semi-arid climate with over 300 days of sunshine per year. Winters are mild but snowy, while summers are warm and dry. The average high temperature in July is 84°F and the average low is 53°F.

Economy and Major Employers

Some of the major industries and employers in Colorado Springs include:

  • Peterson Space Force Base – Address: 150 Vandenberg St, Colorado Springs, CO 80914, Phone: (719) 556-1110
  • Fort Carson Army Base – Address: 1626 Ellis St, Fort Carson, CO 80913, Phone: (719) 526-9858
  • The Broadmoor Hotel – Address: 1 Lake Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, Phone: (855) 634-7711
  • Colorado College – Address: 14 E Cache La Poudre St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, Phone: (719) 389-6000
  • UCCS University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – Address: 1420 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80918, Phone: (719) 255-8227
  • The City of Colorado Springs – Address: 107 N Nevada Ave #103, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, Phone: (719) 385-5125

The military bases and tourism are major contributors to the Colorado Springs economy. The city is also home to high tech industries and call centers. Major private employers include Memorial Health System, Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, and Colorado Springs Utilities.

Attractions and Landmarks

Some of the top attractions and landmarks in Colorado Springs include:

  • Pikes Peak – A 14,115-foot mountain near Colorado Springs that can be reached by hiking trail, cog railway, or highway. The stunning summit provides panoramic views. GPS coordinates: 38.8408° N, 105.0442° W
  • Garden of the Gods – A public park with dramatic red rock formations and hiking trails. Address: 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904 GPS coordinates: 38.8708° N, 104.8776° W
  • The Broadmoor – A historic luxury resort with hotels, restaurants, golf courses, pools, and spa. Address: 1 Lake Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
  • U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center – Training site for Team USA’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Features sports venues, athlete housing, and more. Address: 1 Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 GPS coordinates: 38.8623° N, 104.8251° W
  • Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum – A museum focused on local history and culture. Address: 215 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Arts and Culture

Colorado Springs has a thriving arts and culture scene. Major institutions include:

Transportation

The Colorado Springs Airport (COS) provides air service to the city. Major highways serving the city include I-25, Highway 24, and Highway 85.
Public transportation is provided by the city’s transit agency, Mountain Metropolitan Transit. They operate an extensive network of buses throughout the Colorado Springs area.

Education

Public education in Colorado Springs is provided by Colorado Springs School District 11, Falcon School District 49, Cheyenne Mountain School District 12, and Harrison School District 2. There are also numerous private and charter schools in the city.
Institutions of higher education include the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado College, and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). To learn more about Colorado Springs education, visit the District 11, District 49, District 12, and District 2 websites.

Local Resources

Here are some useful local resources if you’re visiting or moving to Colorado Springs:

Sports

Sports are popular in Colorado Springs. The city is home to:

  • Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – A professional soccer team in the USL Championship league.
  • USA Hockey National Team Development Program
  • United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
  • Colorado College Tigers – NCAA Division I hockey, soccer and other sports
  • UCCS Mountain Lions – NCAA Division II sports

Outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, and rock climbing are also extremely popular thanks to the city’s location against the beautiful backdrop of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods.

Map of Colorado Springs