Community Profiles

Colorado Springs

An enviable quality of life, a location impossible to duplicate and a history that is both unique and diverse has made Colorado Springs a thriving community that is always moving forward. As Colorado’s second largest city and largest when defined by area, Colorado Springs is a year-round destination for tourists, business and future residents because of its impressive surroundings, broad array of regional assets and a long list of accolades as a place to live, work and play.

Do you know your home value?

There are different ways to gather this information which is important to know for home insurance decisions, property taxes, refinancing and applying for private mortgage insurance.

#1 - Learn the facts about the hour and local market

#2 - Enter the address into an online home value estimator

#3 - Compare home values to others close by #4 - Use a Real Estate agent as they can run accurate comparative market analysis (Info from www.ramseysolutions.com) www.coloradosprings.gov

Colorado Springs was the dream of General William Jackson Palmer who envisioned a city of the future where culture, temperance and gracious living would define the community. Fountain Colony, the original name for Palmer’s young city, quickly became known as Colorado Springs – a derivative of the bawdy mining and milling town of Colorado City and the therapeutic mineral springs of nearby Manitou Springs.

The discovery of gold in Cripple Creek brought thousands anxious to find their fortune: promoters, industrialists and gamblers - even artists and writers - came to what was the richest city per capita in the nation. Extravagant homes built by miners who became millionaires are now an exclusive neighborhood near downtown that is also home to Colorado College. When the gold played out, civic minded business men led by Spencer Penrose, determined that Colorado Springs’ natural beauty, Pikes Peak and the automobile would make it a unique tourist destination.

From these beginnings the city has seen continuous and sometimes explosive growth. Its location along with generally sunny and mild weather has made it an ideal location for military training and defense related high-tech industries. Small business is “BIG” in Colorado Springs and tourism is still the third largest part of the economy.

Then there is Colorado Springs’ long history with Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Today, as Olympic City USA, Colorado Springs is home to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), U.S. Paralympics, 20+ National Olympic Governing Bodies, the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center, more than 50 National Sports Organizations and the just opened United States Olympic and Paralympic Museum and Hall of Fame. It’s no wonder that LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION is spot on when talking about Colorado Springs.

City of Colorado SpringS

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Area: 195.8 square miles

Government: City Council-Mayor

Housing - Median List Price (July 2023)

Broadmoor $932,000 • Wolf Ranch $650,000

Banning Lewis Ranch $563,000 • Ridgeview $530,000

Vista Grande $510,000 • Old Colorado City $508,000

Briargate $499,000 • Spring Ranch $470,000

Pulpit Rock $480,000 • Stetson Hills $468,000

Pleasant Valley $473,000 • Palmer Park $417,000

Gateway Park $385,000 • Memorial Park $375,000

Rustic Hills $377,000 • Southborough $375,000 Park Hill $300,000

Average Household Income: $94,000

Economic Base: Well diversified with information and technology businesses, military, defense industries, health care, education, retail downtown, established and new residential areas.

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) 866-632-6397, www.gazette.com, subscription to electronic edition is available.

Location: In the foothills of the Rampart Range (RockyMountains), 6,000 feet above sea level, 70 miles south of Denver off I-25.

Medical Services: Centura Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, www.centura.org, 776-5000; UC Health Memorial Hospital Central, 365-5000, www.uchealth.org (See Health Care).

Parks & Recreation: 9,000+ acres of parkland, miles of share-use trails, Palmer Park, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Memorial Park, Sertich Ice Arena, Tennis Center, Senior Center, 3 Community Centers, 2 golf courses, public pools and beach, sports programs for all ages and abilities.

Population: 486,248 (2022 Census)

Post Offices: 201 E. Pikes Peak Ave. 570-5336, www.usps.com. There are numerous locations around the Springs area. Log on for maps, shipping rates, and passport information.

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: 3.07% City Sales Tax, 1.0% RTA Tax, 1.23% County Sales, 2.9% State Sales, Total 8.2%.

Transportation: Mountain Metro Fixed route bus service, Metro Mobility ADA para-transit, Colorado Springs airport. (See “Basics” for detailed information.)

Utilities: Colorado Springs Utilities, Comcast Cable, Mountain View Electric, Black Hills Energy (See Basics) City of Colorado Springs 30 S. Nevada Ave., Ste. 101 Colorado Springs 80903

Main Number 385-2489 • Clerks Office 385-5901 www.coloradosprings.gov

Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau 515 S. Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs 80903 635-7506 • www.visitcos.com