The Midland Terminal Railway was a short line terminal railroad running from the Colorado Midland Railway near Divide to Cripple Creek, Colorado . The railroad made its last run in February 1949.
73-536: From 1887 to 1918, Colorado Midland Railroad operated rail service along a 222-mile line from Colorado City (now Old Colorado City ), through Ute Pass and across the Continental Divide , to the coal-mining town of New Castle and Grand Junction . It was the first standard gauge railroad through the Rocky Mountains . Travelers heading for Cripple Creek would get off the train at Divide and take
146-1010: A pride parade called PrideFest in July, the Greek Festival, the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon, and the Steers & Beers Whiskey and Beer Festival in August, and the Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival in nearby Manitou Springs and Arts Month in October. The Colorado Springs Festival of Lights Parade is held the first Saturday in December. The parade is held on Tejon Street in Downtown Colorado Springs. In 2017, Colorado had
219-691: A North Korean propaganda video released in April 2013, Colorado Springs was singled out as one of four targets for a missile strike. The video failed to pinpoint Colorado Springs on the map, instead showing a spot somewhere in Louisiana. Colorado Springs, dubbed Olympic City USA, is home to the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and the headquarters of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and
292-409: A bandshell, pavilion and early pioneer cabin. Old Colorado City has a shopping district featuring art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and tourist shops. Special attractions include Simpich Showcase and Magic Town at The Michael Garman Museum and Gallery. Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Colorado , United States. It
365-572: A bitcoin mining facility. Microchip Technology (formerly Atmel ), is a chip fabrication organization. The Apple Inc. facility was sold to Sanmina-SCI in 1996. Almost immediately following the arrival of railroads beginning in 1871, the city's location at the base of Pikes Peak and the Rocky Mountains made it a popular tourism destination. Tourism is the third largest employer in the Pikes Peak region, accounting for more than 16,000 jobs. In 2018, 23 million day and overnight visitors came to
438-617: A carriage road through North and South Cheyenne Canyons and westward was the Ute Pass Wagon Road . Another route into the area was the north–south Cherokee Trail / Jimmy Camp Trail , which was near the Goodnight–Loving Trail . The Jimmy Camp Trail was one branch of the Trapper's Trail , a trail used by trappers and explorers from 1820 and during the gold rush. Trapper's Trail ran north–south from Fort Laramie to
511-431: A one-lane highway tunnel on CO 67 until the 1990s; after a partial collapse the tunnel was bypassed with a new cut and the tunnel remains as a landmark, its ends are closed with a grille so the interior and shoring can be seen today. Old Colorado City Old Colorado City , formerly Colorado City, was once a town, but it is now a neighborhood within the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado . Its commercial district
584-541: Is a frequent backdrop for political thrillers and military-themed stories because of its many military installations and vital importance to the United States' continental defense. Notable television series using the city as a setting include Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman , Homicide Hunter and the Stargate series Stargate SG-1 , as well as the films WarGames , The Prestige , and BlacKkKlansman . In
657-475: Is based in Colorado Springs. A large percentage of Colorado Springs's economy is still based on manufacturing high-tech and complex electronic equipment. The high-tech sector in the Colorado Springs area has decreased its overall presence from 2000 to 2006 (from around 21,000 to around 8,000), with notable reductions in information technology and complex electronic equipment. Current trends project
730-856: Is home to a professional baseball team, The Rocky Mountain Vibes who are a member of the Pioneer League an MLB Partner League The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), also known as The Race to the Clouds, is an annual invitational automobile and motorcycle hill climb to the summit of Pikes Peak , every year on the last Sunday of June. The highway wasn't completely paved until 2011. The local colleges feature many sports teams. Notable among them are several nationally competitive NCAA Division I teams: United States Air Force Academy (Falcons) Football, Basketball and Hockey and Colorado College (Tigers) Hockey, and Women's Soccer. Colorado Springs
803-697: Is located at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex . Within the mountain complex, the Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station has been operated by Space Operations Command . On January 13, 2021, the Air Force announced a new permanent home for Space Command, moving it from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama in 2026, but the decision could be reversed by Congress. Army divisions are trained and stationed at Fort Carson . The United States Air Force Academy
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#1732798740318876-506: Is one of the most active lightning strike areas in the United States. This natural phenomenon led Nikola Tesla to select Colorado Springs as the preferred location to build his lab and study electricity. December is typically the coldest month, averaging 30.8 °F (−0.7 °C). Historically, January had been the coldest month, but, in recent years, December has had both lower daily maxima and minima. Typically, there are 5.2 nights with sub-0 °F (−18 °C) lows and 23.6 days where
949-424: Is the largest city north of Mexico above 6000 feet in elevation. The Ute , Arapaho and Cheyenne peoples were the first recorded inhabiting the area which would become Colorado Springs. Part of the territory included in the United States' 1803 Louisiana Purchase , the current city area was designated part of the 1854 Kansas Territory . In 1859, after the first local settlement was established, it became part of
1022-535: Is the most populous city in El Paso County, with a population of 478,961 at the 2020 census , a 15.02% increase since 2010 . Colorado Springs is the second-most populous city and the most extensive city in the state of Colorado, and the 40th-most-populous city in the United States. It is the principal city of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area , which had 755,105 residents in 2020, and
1095-660: The 2020 United States Census , the population of the City of Colorado Springs was 478,961 ( 40th most populous U.S. city ), the population of the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area was 755,105 ( 79th most populous MSA ), and the population of the Front Range Urban Corridor was 5,055,344. As of the April 2010 census, 78.8% of the population of the city was White ( non-Hispanic Whites were 70.7% of
1168-538: The Arkansas River . Its primary interest was as a "watering hole", due to its many saloons on the south side of Colorado Avenue. There were brothels and gambling rooms on upper floors of the saloons and brothels behind the saloons on Cucharras Street. Tunnels under Colorado Avenue ensured that men could enter these businesses without being seen. In addition to saloons and brothels, Colorado City had opium dens in its early days. When William Jackson Palmer purchased
1241-633: The Black Forest Fire the following year. The city lies in a semi-arid Steppe climate region with the Southern Rocky Mountains to the west, the Palmer Divide to the north, high plains further east, and high desert lands to the south when leaving Fountain and approaching Pueblo . Colorado Springs is 69 miles (111 km) or one hour and five minutes south of Denver by car using I-25 . Colorado Springs has
1314-763: The El Pueblo trading post in the present Pueblo County , and from there branched off to Bent's Old Fort or Taos, New Mexico . In 1883, the Colorado Midland Railroad came to Colorado City, with its operating and administrative headquarters in the town. Industries located in and around town to take advantage of the convenient rail access. The industries that generated thousands of jobs included ore processing mills, Ute Pass Paint Factory, Colorado City Glass Works, and Hassell Iron Works. Banks, restaurants, rooming houses, offices, meeting halls and other supporting commercial establishments were built along
1387-767: The Jefferson Territory on October 24 and of El Paso County on November 28. Colorado City at the Front Range confluence of Fountain and Camp creeks was "formally organized on August 13, 1859" during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush . It served as the capital of the Colorado Territory from November 5, 1861, until August 14, 1862, when the capital was moved to Golden , before it was finally moved to Denver in 1867. So many immigrants from England had settled in Colorado Springs by
1460-658: The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) headquarters, Space Operations Command, and Space Deltas 2, 3, and 7. Located at Peterson is the 302nd Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit, that transports passengers and cargo and fights wildfires. Schriever Space Force Base is responsible for Joint Task Force-Space Defense and Space Deltas 6 , 8, and 9. The NORAD and USNORTHCOM Alternate Command Center
1533-558: The United States Anti-Doping Agency . Further, over 50 national sports organizations (non-Olympic) headquarter in Colorado Springs. These include the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Sports Incubator, a various non-Olympic Sports (such as USA Ultimate), and more. Colorado Springs and Denver hosted the 1962 World Ice Hockey Championships . The city has a long association with
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#17327987403181606-475: The United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum opened; the Flying W Ranch Chuckwagon Dinner & Western Show reopened in 2020. A new Pikes Peak Summit Complex opened at the 14,115-foot summit in 2021. The Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway also reopened in 2021. The downtown Colorado Springs Visitor Information Center offers free area information to leisure and business travelers. The Cultural Office of
1679-1013: The greatest total area of any municipality in Colorado. At the 2020 United States Census , the city had a total area of 195.761 square miles (507.019 km ) including 0.362 square miles (0.937 km ) of water. Colorado Springs has a cooler, dry-winter semi-arid climate ( Köppen BSk ), and its location just east of the Rocky Mountains affords it the rapid warming influence from chinook winds during winter but also subjects it to drastic day-to-day variability in weather conditions. The city has abundant sunshine year-round, averaging 243 sunny days per year, and receives approximately 16.5 inches (419 mm) of annual precipitation . Due to unusually low precipitation for several years after flooding in 1999, Colorado Springs enacted lawn water restrictions in 2002. These were lifted in 2005 but permanently reinstated in December 2019. Colorado Springs
1752-473: The red-light district was burned down in two separate fires. Between 1902 and 1909, there were other fires along Saloon Row and the red light district. Liquor was outlawed in Colorado City in 1916. For the bordellos that rebuilt or remained, they received continued pressure to close down until Colorado City was annexed to Colorado Springs in 1917. At that time, at least one owner, Laura Bell McDaniel ,
1825-541: The terminal facilities at Old Colorado City and the abandoned tracks between Old Colorado City and Divide were sold to the Midland Terminal Railway, owned by Carlton and Spencer Penrose . The following year the line through Victor was extended to La Bella Junction. Passengers, mail, and ore was transported along the now Midland Terminal Railway tracks from Cripple Creek to Old Colorado City, but scheduled passenger service ended in 1931. After 1934, 90% of
1898-472: The 1890s. Eventually Colorado City was processing much of the gold ore mined at Cripple Creek . There were four processing companies in Colorado City before 1912. Golden Cycle Mill had a better reduction process and by 1912 the other mills had ceased to operate. Colorado City was the location of a 1903 strike that spread to Cripple Creek and eventually led to the Colorado Labor Wars . In
1971-466: The 1910s, a reduction in demand for the railroad and ore processing mills depressed Colorado City's economy. Part of Old Colorado City was annexed in 1898. It was finally incorporated into Colorado Springs in 1917 and called West Colorado Springs, or more popularly, the West Side. Since the mid-1970s, Old Colorado City had been part of private and public revitalization efforts, including capturing
2044-782: The Cripple Creek mining district, and the spur in Old Colorado City to the Golden Cycle Mining and Reduction Company. Some of the old buildings at the Midland Terminal headquarters in Colorado Springs are in use today, notably the old roundhouse, which was purchased by Van Briggle Pottery in 1955, and the machine shop, which is now the Ghost Town Museum. U.S. Route 24 follows the former railroad's route over Ute Pass . Two miles of
2117-452: The Gods is on Colorado Springs's western edge. It is a National Natural Landmark , with 300 foot (91 m) red/orange sandstone rock formations often viewed against a backdrop of the snow-capped Pikes Peak. This park is free to the public and offers many recreational opportunities, such as hiking, rock climbing, cycling, horseback riding and tours. It offers a variety of annual events, one of
2190-736: The Hundley Stage along the toll road to the town. In 1892, passengers could also travel to Cripple Creek from Canon City via the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad , a narrow gauge line. When gold was discovered in Cripple Creek and Victor in 1890, some of the Colorado Midland owners formed the Midland Terminal Railroad, a standard gauge spur line from Divide to Cripple Creek. This allowed for passenger travel to and from Cripple Creek, shipment of equipment into
2263-663: The Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR), also downtown, supports and advocates for the arts throughout the Pikes Peak Region. It operates the PeakRadar website to communicate city events. Colorado Springs is home to the annual Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off , a hot air balloon festival that takes place over Labor Day weekend at the city's Memorial Park . Other annual events include: a comic book convention and science fiction convention called GalaxyFest in February,
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2336-565: The Pikes Peak region's economy. Colorado Springs is home to the Peterson Space Force Base , Schriever Space Force Base , Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station , U.S. Space Command, and Space Operations Command— the largest contingent of space service military installations. They are responsible for intelligence gathering, space operations, and cyber missions. Peterson Space Force Base is responsible for
2409-634: The Rockrimmon and Cragmor - Colorado Springs Country Club area. Mine workers often lived on the west side of town, like Old Colorado City, while investors lived in the Old North End . Roads into the area included a toll road that connected to the northeast with the Overland 's 1865 "Despatch Express Route". Southward out of Colorado City a stage road (now Old Stage Road) traversed through South Cheyenne Creek 's canyon to Cripple Creek, and
2482-489: The SNIA Technology Center. Keysight Technologies , spun off in 2014 from Agilent , which was itself spun off from HP in 1999 as an independent, publicly traded company, has its oscilloscope research and development division based in Colorado Springs. Intel had 250 employees in 2009. The Intel facility is now used for the centralized unemployment offices, social services, El Paso county offices, and
2555-715: The Town of Colorado Springs. On December 1, 1880, Colorado Springs expanded northward with two annexations. The second period of annexations was during 1889–90, and included Seavey's Addition, West Colorado Springs, East End, and another North End addition. In 1891 the Broadmoor Land Company built the Broadmoor suburb, which included the Broadmoor Casino , and by December 12, 1895, the city had "four Mining Exchanges and 275 mining brokers." By 1898,
2628-532: The area, and the transport of ore to processing mills in Colorado City beginning in 1895. It was the only standard gauge railroad into Cripple Creek and Victor, which made for easy transfer of material at the Divide junction with the Colorado Midland Railway. The Colorado Springs and Cripple Creek District Railway was built by 1911 to transport ore from the Cripple Creek mining district through
2701-559: The area, contributing $ 2.4 billion in revenue. Colorado Springs has more than 55 attractions and activities in the area, including Garden of the Gods park, United States Air Force Academy , the ANA Money Museum, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo , Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College , Old Colorado City , The National Museum of World War II Aviation, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center . In 2020,
2774-405: The block between 26th and 27th streets. One-story frame and brick buildings are the earliest known style of construction. Western Victorian, turn-of-the-century commercial buildings are the second style. These structures are generally two-story, red brick structures with Queen Anne , Romanesque Revival and Italianate style architecture . Bancroft Park is located within the district. It includes
2847-593: The city include the Nielson Addition and Vineyard Commerce Park Annexation in September 2008. On June 23, 2012, the Waldo Canyon fire began 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of the city. The fire ended up destroying 347 homes and killing two people in the city. In total, over 32,000 residents had to be evacuated. At the time the fire was the most destructive in state history until it was surpassed by
2920-576: The city receives the majority of its annual rainfall, due to the North American monsoon . The first autumn freeze and the last freeze in the spring, on average, occur on October 2 and May 6, respectively; the average window for measurable snowfall (≥0.1 in or 0.25 cm) is October 21 through April 25. Extreme temperatures range from 101 °F (38 °C) on June 26, 2012 and most recently on June 21, 2016, down to −27 °F (−33 °C) on February 1, 1951, and December 9, 1919. As of
2993-484: The city the tongue-in-cheek nicknames "the Evangelical Vatican" and "The Christian Mecca". Religious groups with regional or international headquarters in Colorado Springs include: Although Colorado voters approved Colorado Amendment 64 , a constitutional amendment in 2012 legalizing retail sales of marijuana for recreational purposes, the Colorado Springs city council voted not to permit retail shops in
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3066-677: The city was 35 years. Colorado Springs's economy is driven primarily by the military, the high-tech industry, and tourism, in that order. The city is experiencing growth in the service sectors. In June 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic , the unemployment rate was 3.3%. The state's unemployment rate in June 2022 was 3.4% compared to 3.6% for the nation. As of 2021 , there are nearly 45,000 active-duty troops in Colorado Springs. There are more than 100,000 veterans and thousands of reservists. The military and defense contractors supply more than 40% of
3139-471: The city was designated into quadrants by the north-south Cascade Avenue and the east-west Washington/Pikes Peak avenues. From 1899 to 1901 Tesla Experimental Station operated on Knob Hill, and aircraft flights to the Broadmoor's neighboring fields began in 1919. Alexander Airport north of the city opened in 1925, and in 1927 the original Colorado Springs Municipal Airport land was purchased east of
3212-454: The city would give up $ 25.4 million in tax revenue and fees if the city continued to thwart the industry from opening within the city limits. As of March 1, 2018, there were 131 medical marijuana centers and no recreational cannabis stores. As of 2019 Colorado Springs is still one of seven towns that have only allowed for medical marijuana. Colorado Springs has been the subject of or setting for many books, films and television shows, and
3285-505: The city, as was allowed in the amendment. Medical marijuana outlets continue to operate in Colorado Springs. In 2015, there were 91 medical marijuana clinics in the city, which reported sales of $ 59.6 million in 2014, up 11 percent from the previous year but without recreational marijuana shops. On April 26, 2016, Colorado Springs city council decided to extend the current six-month moratorium to eighteen months with no new licenses to be granted until May 2017. A scholarly paper suggested
3358-650: The city. The city's military presence began during World War II , beginning with Camp Carson (now the 135,000-acre Fort Carson base) that was established in 1941. During the war, the United States Army Air Forces leased land adjacent to the municipal airfield, naming it Peterson Field in December 1942. In November 1950, Ent Air Force Base was selected as the Cold War headquarters for Air Defense Command (ADC). The former WWII Army Air Base, Peterson Field, which had been inactivated at
3431-545: The city. In 1977 most of the former Ent AFB became a US Olympic training center . The Libertarian Party was founded within the city in the 1970s. On October 1, 1981, the Broadmoor Addition, Cheyenne Canon, Ivywild , Skyway, and Stratton Meadows were annexed after the Colorado Supreme Court "overturned a district court decision that voided the annexation ". Further annexations expanding
3504-507: The company and ore began to be shipped through the Midland Terminal Railway to Old Colorado City. Expenses mounted after the United States Railroad Administration began shipping materials to supply World War I troops through the Colorado Midland Railway lines, across railroad tracks and beds not able to accommodate the additional trains and tonnage. By August 1918 the railway ceased operations. In 1919,
3577-566: The confluence of Fountain and Camp creeks on August 13, 1859, it was the first Pikes Peak region settlement. The founders— Melancthon Beach, Anthony Bott, George Bute, and Rufus Cable —envisioned Colorado City as a major supply hub for the new gold mines in South Park and the Blue River , where major strikes in the Pike's Peak Gold Rush had recently been made. The location for the town
3650-545: The early 1870s that Colorado Springs was locally referred to as "Little London". In 1871 the Colorado Springs Company laid out the towns of La Font (later called Manitou Springs ) and Fountain Colony , upstream and downstream respectively, of Colorado City. Within a year, Fountain Colony was renamed Colorado Springs and officially incorporated. The El Paso County seat shifted from Colorado City in 1873 to
3723-522: The end of the war, was re-opened in 1951 as a U.S. Air Force base . North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) was established as a hardened command and control center within the Cheyenne Mountain Complex during the Cold War. Between 1965 and 1968, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs , Pikes Peak State College and Colorado Technical University were established in or near
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#17327987403183796-401: The former railroad's right of way is currently used by the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad . Another segment is being converted to a multi-use trail connecting the Pikes Peak Greenway to Manitou Springs. Portions of the roadbed and right of way from Divide, Colorado, to Cripple Creek, Colorado, are in use as Highway 67. A former wood-shored Midland Terminal tunnel was used as
3869-401: The high does not rise above freezing. Snowfall is usually moderate and remains on the ground briefly because of direct sun, with the city receiving 38 inches (97 cm) per season, although the mountains to the west often receive in excess of triple that amount; March is the snowiest month in the region, both by total accumulation and number of days with measurable snowfall. In addition, 8 of
3942-400: The high-tech employment ratio will continue to decrease. High-tech corporations offering fibre-optics to the premises connections within the city include: Lumen Technologies , Comcast and other providers as of 2023. Hewlett-Packard still has some sales, support, and SAN storage engineering center for the computer industry. Storage Networking Industry Association is the home of
4015-511: The historical character of its buildings, burying utility wires, and landscaping. Buildings have been painted colors used around the turn of the 20th century, modern signs have been replaced or removed, and architectural details have been exposed. In 1982, the Old Colorado Historic Commercial District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes 27 properties situated primarily along Colorado Avenue between 24th and 26th streets and some additional properties on Court Street and
4088-425: The land for Colorado Springs, he outlawed the consumption of alcohol within the new town's borders in reaction to the businesses he found unsavory in Colorado City. In 1896 and until 1916, ordinances were passed that prohibited prostitution, opium dens, and dance halls, but brothels continued to be established after 1896. The mayor of the town had warned prostitutes to leave Colorado City by 1908 or 1909, when most of
4161-485: The mountains—on what is now Gold Camp Road or Teller County 8—directly to the processing facilities in Old Colorado City. Eleven miles shorter distance than the Colorado Midland Railway, it was nicknamed the "Short Line" and offered freight and passenger service. Transportation across the Short Line reduced the cost of shipment as compared to what had been paid to the Colorado Midland Railway. Colorado Midland Railway went into foreclosure in 1917 and Albert E. Carlton bought
4234-400: The north side of Colorado Avenue between Court and 26th Street. The town's workforce also included railroad workers. Major gold strikes were made west of Colorado City during the Cripple Creek Gold Rush in the 1890s. The town grew as ore was sent to the town to be processed and prospectors came to purchase supplies and for amusement. Ore processing mills were established in Colorado City in
4307-458: The population, compared with 86.6% in 1970 ), 16.1% Hispanic or Latino of any race (compared with 7.4% in 1970), 6.3% Black or African American , 3.0% Asian , 1.0% descended from indigenous peoples of the Americas , 0.3% descended from indigenous Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders , 5.5% of some other race, and 5.1% of two or more races . Mexican Americans made up 14.6% of the city's population, compared with 9.1% in 1990. The median age in
4380-478: The railroad's business was transporting ore to the Golden Cycle Mining and Reduction Company , which was the only remaining ore processing facility in Old Colorado City. There was some freight and ore shipped across the rails during World War II , but business dropped off thereafter. The railway had abandoned the Taylor Switchback to the Independence Mine in 1930 and in 1948 a total of 64.5 miles (103.8 km) of track from Old Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek, within
4453-433: The second-most prominent city of the Front Range Urban Corridor . It is located in east-central Colorado on Fountain Creek , 70 miles (113 km) south of Denver . At 6,035 feet (1,839 m) the city stands over 1 mile (1.6 km) above sea level. Colorado Springs is near the base of Pikes Peak , which rises 14,115 feet (4,302.31 m) above sea level on the eastern edge of the Southern Rocky Mountains . The city
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#17327987403184526-462: The sport of figure skating , having hosted the U.S. Figure Skating Championships six times and the World Figure Skating Championships five times. It is home to the World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame and the Broadmoor Skating Club , a notable training center for the sport. In recent years, the Broadmoor World Arena has hosted skating events such as Skate America and the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships . Colorado Springs
4599-469: The third-most craft breweries at 348. Breweries and microbreweries have become popular in Colorado Springs, which hosts over 30 of them. Although houses of worship of almost every major world religion are within the city, Colorado Springs has in particular attracted a large influx of Evangelical Christians and Christian organizations in recent years. At one time Colorado Springs was the national headquarters for 81 different religious organizations, earning
4672-464: The top 10 heaviest 24-hour snowfalls have occurred from March to May. Summers are warm, with July, the warmest month, averaging 70.9 °F (21.6 °C), and 18 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs annually. Due to the high elevation and aridity, nights are usually relatively cool and rarely does the low remain above 70 °F (21 °C). Dry weather generally prevails, but brief afternoon thunderstorms are common, especially in July and August when
4745-401: The use of alcohol within its border due to the lifestyle of Colorado City's opium dens , bordellos , and saloons. It is now a tourist area, with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. It was initially and briefly known as El Dorado for the gold mines found during the gold rush. The name Colorado City was selected by its founders because of the red sandstone rocks and red outcroppings in
4818-471: The vicinity (specifically, the Rampart Range and Garden of the Gods formations). The word Colorado in Spanish means "blushing" or "red". The approximate boundaries are U.S. Highway 24 to the south, 32nd Street to the west, 13th Street to the east and Uintah Street to the north, with the town square restructured as Bancroft Park. Colorado City Town Company laid claim to two square miles of land that would become Colorado City on May 22, 1859. Founded at
4891-412: Was arrested. In 1933, at the end of Prohibition , Colorado Springs lifted the ban of the sale and consumption of alcohol. Colorado was a rough town. Saloons were plentiful, and frequent brawls and gun fights broke out. Justice was meted out by a citizens' court. Coal was mined in Colorado Springs beginning in 1859. At the industry's height, there were 50 coal mines in the Colorado Springs, mostly in
4964-539: Was established after World War II, on land donated by the City of Colorado Springs. The defense industry forms a significant part of the Colorado Springs economy, with some of the city's largest employers being defense contractors. Some defense corporations have left or downsized city campuses, but slight growth has been recorded. Significant defense corporations in the city include Northrop Grumman , Boeing , General Dynamics , L3Harris Technologies , SAIC , ITT , Lockheed Martin , and Bluestaq. The Space Foundation
5037-515: Was established on November 5, 1861. Until August 14, 1862 (including one legislative session), the city was the Colorado Territory capital until it was moved to Golden . Colorado City effectively functioned as the capital for only five days. When the second territorial legislature met at Colorado City on July 7, 1862, in a log cabin that still stands on Colorado Avenue, they found the accommodations so inadequate that they voted to adjourn on July 11 and reconvene in Denver on July 16. El Paso County
5110-406: Was formed in 1861 and Colorado City was the county seat until 1873, when the courthouse moved to Colorado Springs. For the first two decades, the population of the town decreased. Some people chose to farm or ranch outside of the town limits. In addition, the town did not get the travelers it anticipated because most people chose to travel through Denver due to skirmishes with Native Americans along
5183-439: Was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. It was founded during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859 and was involved in the mining industry, both as a supply hub and as a gold ore processing center beginning in the 1890s. Residents of Colorado City worked at some of the 50 coal mines of the Colorado Springs area. It was briefly the capital of the Colorado Territory . For many years, Colorado Springs prohibited
5256-425: Was selected for its proximity to Ute Pass , the route westward to the gold mines. In 1859, Colorado City was in the most westerly part of Kansas Territory . The Colorado City area became part of the Jefferson Territory on October 24, 1859. There were more than 300 cabins that had been built by 1861. Its residents included ranchers, farmers, freighters, and outfitters for gold prospectors. Colorado Territory
5329-653: Was the original headquarters of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) from its founding in 1992 until 2005, when the organization was moved to Pueblo . The city's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services manage 136 neighborhood parks, eight community parks, seven regional parks, and five sports complexes, totaling 9,000 acres (3,600 ha). They also manage 500 acres (200 ha) of trails, of which 160 miles (260 km) are park trails and 105 miles (169 km) are urban. There are 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) of open space in 48 open-space areas. Garden of
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