Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is the county seat of El Paso County in Colorado. It is also the most populous city in the county, the second most populous city in Colorado and the 82nd in ranking in all metro areas in the United States. It is found in South Central Colorado, down in the south of the state. As the biggest city in Colorado, Colorado Springs is spread on an area of about 186.1 sq. m, 185.7 sq. m. is land while the remaining 0.4 sq. m. is water. The City has semi-arid climate and receives 16.2 inches in precipitation annually. Snow falls from October to May. The city has mild winters and snow melts fast. The summers are dry and hot, with frequent thunderstorms especially during the months of July and August, the months when the city usually has its regular rainfall.
Though quite populous, the city is one of the best places to live in the United States. In 2006, it was voted as the no. 1 "Best Big City" by Money Magazine's Best Places to live. Then in 2009, it was ranked first among America's Best Cities by Outside Magazine. The city is also known as "The Springs", "C. Springs", "Little London" and "Newport in the Rockies".
Colorado Springs has a lot to offer those who enjoy city life as well as the outdoors. The city also has a bustling nightlife, various places to eat, places to see and can also offer you a great shopping experience. It is also an area of history and culture.
Colorado Springs History
Colorado Springs, Colorado was founded by General William Palmer in 1871. His intention was to establish a resort community that will cater to the tourists who come to the place because of its beauty, climate and high altitude. Soon after, the place became known as "Little London" because of the many British tourists who started to visit the city regularly. The Pikes Peak and the Garden of Gods made the place known across the country and even across the globe. At that time, and even up to now, the place became known as high quality resort town that is best for those who want to have very healthy vacation. With the success of the town as an international tourist destination, the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad was opened by Palmer to make travel to the city easier. This made the town one of the most famous destinations in the country by the later part of 1800s.
As Palmer wanted the city to be wholesome and healthy for all, the city remained alcohol free until 1933 at the end of Prohibition. Still, up to now the city remained a haven for people who wanted to have clean and healthy vacation. At the same time, the town became significant for gold mining. During the years 1859 and 1860, the town of Colorado Springs was the center for mining supplies to South Park. Then eventually, because of the Gold Rush at Pike's Peak, Colorado City used the railroads Palmer built in transporting gold from the city. And as the people of Colorado City became rich because of the gold rush, many of them established their homes in Colorado Springs instead of living in the city. Eventually when the Gold rush end Colorado Springs became a major tourist attraction and recuperation destination for patients who want to have treatment in a healthy and dry climate. This started health tourism in the city.
Then with failing economy, the city tried to attract the military to have their bases in the city. The city first purchased the land, which is now Fort Carson, to attract Army installation. This eventually led to the establishment of several army and military installation in Colorado Springs by 1954, the economy of the city increased significantly because of the Army and Air Force Bases and the Air Force Military Academy. The economy continued to grow with the establishment of the NORAD facility in Cheyenne Mountain in the 60s. Then in the 80s, Shriever Air Force Base was also established in the city which contributed to its further development.
About Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado is one of the best cities to visit in the State of Colorado. The city, with its growing number of tourists every year has launched a tourism campaign where visitors rare given fuel-themed discounts on participating lodging properties, restaurants, bars, attractions and other places in the city. With the discount, visitors can go see and enjoy the places to visit in the city. For dog lovers, it is one of the best places to visit in the United States because it offers six dog parks where you can run with your dog without leash.
The city has about 13,000 acres of open space, ranging from grassland to creek sides, with rocky formations. Then of course there is the Pikes Peak highway which will amaze the visitors of the city for its beauty. The highway is also the starting point of many attractions and activities, such as biking, skiing, hiking and fishing. Then there is the Pioneer Museum which has more than 40,000 collection of quilts, pottery and other items from the different Native American Tribes like the Cheyenne. And for other historical and cultural explorations, the city has the Rock Lodge Ranch History Site, the Galloway Homestead, the Chambers Farm, the Orchard House and the Colorado Springs Fire Department Museum.
Going to and getting around the city is very easy and stress free. The city is connected by the Colorado Springs Airport, one of the most stress-free airports in the state, which is serviced by several airlines with non-stop service to major cities in the US. Parking is also easy since the city has more than enough parking spaces for both residents and visitors alike. Getting around is also very easy. There are several public transportation services in the city, the Mountain Metropolitan Transit, which services the greater Colorado Springs, the Metro Rides, an alternative commuting assistance, the Front Range Express, the daily bus service to and from Colorado Springs, to and from Monument, to and from Castle, to and from Rock and to and from Denver. There is also the Ute Pass Express the daily bus for Highway 24 and to and from Woodland Park, to and from Colorado Springs, to and from Cascade, to and from Manitou Springs and to and from Green Mountain Falls.
Since military is an important part of the city, visitors will get to see some of the major military installations of the country in Colorado Springs, such as Fort Carson, Peterson Air force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, NORAD and Cheyenne Mountain Air Station and the United States Air Force Academy.
About El Paso County, Colorado
Colorado Springs belongs to El Paso County, Colorado. El Paso County is one of the 64 counties of the State of Colorado. Colorado Springs is the seat of government of the county. El Paso County has a population of more than 600,000 as of 2010. It is adjacent to Douglas County in the north, Elbert County in the north east, Lincoln County in the east, Crowley County in the southeast, Pueblo County in the south, Fremont County in the west and Teller County in the west. Its major highways are Interstate 25, US Highway 24, US Highway 85, US Highway 83, US Highway 94 and US Highway 115. The major cities and town of the county are Calhan, Colorado Springs, Fountain, Green Mountain Falls, Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake and Ramah.
It is home to several military sites, including the United States Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base and Fort Carson Army Base. It is also home to Cheyenne Mountain State Park and the Pike National Forrest. Two historical sites can be found in the county, the Pikes Peak National Historic Landmark and the USAFA Cadet Area National Historic District. The county also has three major trails, the American Discovery Trail, the Barr National Recreation Trail and the White House Ranch National Recreation Trail.
The county was created in 1871 and has since been a Republican county, with the exception of when Democratic nominee Lyndon Johnson was voted by the county in 1964. The county is under the Board of County Commissioners. The county has 2,129.56 sq. m. as total area, 2,126.54 sq. m. of it is land while the remaining 3.11 sq. m. is water. The population of the county is diverse, with the majority of the population as whites, followed by African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, Pacific Islander and other races. The majority of the total population is between the age of 25 to 44 and the median age in the county is 33 years of age. The median household income for family in the county is $53,995.