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Colorado Springs has evolved from a small, Victorian spa resort to a sophisticated and exciting city, all the while, maintaining a "small town" ambiance. The Colorado Springs region offers spectacular views of the Front Range of the Rockies including Pikes Peak, a 14,100-foot mountain. Inspired by the view from its pinnacle, Katharine Lee Bates wrote “America the Beautiful” in 1893. The area is considered the gateway to Southern Colorado's "Outdoor Adventure Play Land" with over 12,000 acres of trails, open spaces and parks. Some major outdoor attractions include the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Canon, Monument Valley and the newest park additions, Red Rock Canyon and Confluence Park.
Downtown Colorado Springs has experienced a town revival through the 1990s with vibrant additions of small business, parks, street art, professionals, and student life--all of which create a varied and comfortable living atmosphere. For the avid reader, there is a beautiful branch of the Pikes Peak Library District within walking distance from numerous relaxing reading spots including parks and coffee lounges. The downtown streets offer everything you can imagine with over 40 fantastic retail shops, including outdoor gear, gourmet food, and diverse clothing stores. If opening a business is your plan, the local government is very business friendly. Forbes magazine named Colorado Springs as "one of the 10 best, fastest growing, business-friendly metropolitan areas" in the West and South U.S.
For the artist, there is the Fine Arts Center, one-of-kind masterpieces lining the streets (Art on the Streets), and even the chance for artists of any level to refine their skills at the Bemis Art School. And for residents and visitors alike, downtown is a great place to learn about the history of the city and its region. The Pioneer's Museum and the McAllister's House are magnificent resources with remarkable information to pass along.
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system. CU-Colorado Springs emphasizes a broad range of degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and professional programs in business, engineering, nursing, education and public affairs. More than 514 faculty and 392 staff members support the campus.
Colorado Springs is also the home to the US Olympic Committee, the US Air Force Academy, The US Space Command, Fort Carson, Cheyenne Mountain Air Base, Focus On the Family, and Minor League Baseball (Sky Sox) to name a few.
LOCATION 
Colorado Springs is a middle-sized city (the second largest city in Colorado), and is located just east of the geographic center of the state of Colorado. At an elevation of 6,035 feet, it is situated near the base of one of the most famous American peaks, Pikes Peak on the east side of the Rocky Mountains--one of the 54 peaks in Colorado whose summits are taller than 14,000 feet. Colorado Springs lies on the east and west sides of I-25 in the west-central part of El Paso County. The capital of Colorado, Denver, is 68 miles to the north. Colorado Springs is the county seat of El Paso County. The city is located 80 miles south of Denver's International Airport and 1 and 1/2 hours east of world-class skiing. The major highways that run through Colorado Springs are I-25, U.S. 85/87 and 24, and Colorado State Highways 83, 94, 115, and 122.
TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS
Travelers can get to and from Colorado Springs with ease. More than 2 million passengers pass through Colorado Springs Airport (COS) each year. The airport serves as the first impression for thousands of visitors, giving them a breathtaking view of Pikes Peak and a taste of Colorado hospitality. COS emphasizes multiple carriers that offer various routes to virtually all cities in North America and major cities worldwide. This ultimately allows the airport to provide convenient flight schedules and competitive airfares. The airport handles around 110 arrivals and departures per day and is served by eight airlines. COS has non-stop service to 13 U.S. cities, as well as convenient connecting flights.
The Colorado Springs Airport receives approximately 100 flights per day on nine airlines and has one of the country's best on-time records. Many hotels provide transportation to and from the airport. Scenic Interstate 25 provides direct north/south access between Denver (to the north) and Pueblo (to the south). Rental cars and shuttle services are available.
Situated on 34,000 acres, Denver International Airport is one of the largest airports in the world. From the expansive and beautiful Jeppesen Terminal to Colorado’s second largest public art display, Denver International Airport is renowned for aesthetics, aviation safety, customer satisfaction and passenger convenience. At 10 years old, it is the nation’s fifth-busiest airport and the 10th-busiest in the world.
The City of Colorado Springs Transit Department currently has 105 drivers and 70 buses and more than ever strives to the best of its ability to provide customer friendly service, modern buses, and sensible fares while pushing to expand and provide service to outlying areas with transportation needs. They offer van, shuttle and bus service to the greater Colorado Springs area.
Another great transportation option to and from Denver and Colorado Springs is the FREX (front range express bus) which runs from 5am to 8pm and services Downtown Denver, South Denver, Castle Rock (half way point between Denver and Colorado Springs), Monument (15 miles north of Colorado Springs) and finally Downtown Colorado Springs. Enjoy a stress-free commute on one of their nice, new buses.
There is also a small Greyhound bus terminal downtown which includes Amtrak's Western Thruway Bus Service, offering connections with the western long-distance trains in the city of Denver.
A BRIEF HISTORY 
Colorado Springs was founded in 1871. It was laid out as a model city by General W.J. Palmer, president of the Rio Grande, who built a six-mile spur line from Manitou Springs for access to town. General William Jackson Palmer gave more than 2,000 acres of parks, bridle and foot paths, scenic drives and roadways planted with trees to Colorado Springs. Acacia (North Park), Monument Valley Park, Antlers Park, Pioneer Square (South) Park, Palmer Park, North Cheyenne Cañon, Prospect Lake, and Bear Creek Cañon were from General Palmer.
The Colorado Springs and Manitou Street Railway Co. was formed in 1886 and built a line along Tejon Street to the Colorado College Campus. The first horse car service began on November 2, 1887. In 1889, El Paso Rapid Transit Co. built horse car lines on Weber Street and on Wahsatch and Platte Avenues. During 1890, El Paso Rapid Transit Co. acquired the Colorado Springs and Manitou transportation services.
The community was named for nearby mineral springs and was founded as a health resort and grew with construction of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.
The local economy boomed in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with the discovery of gold at Cripple Creek. Inventor Nikola Tesla, a pioneer in radio and electricity, built a famous "Tesla Coil" there in 1899-1900. The 12-million-volt machine was a partly successful effort to transmit electric power without wires. Former and merged community names include El Paso and Fountain Colony.
Photographs By Heritage Photography-Colorado Springs, Colorado
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