Surrounding Communities

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is the second largest city in Colorado, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Founded in 1871 by Gen. William Jackson Palmer, the city was planned to attract people of means and social standing with "good moral character and strict temperance habits." Since the wide-open town of Colorado City was right next door with its saloons and "working ladies," the general did not have quite the impact on the Pikes Peak area he would have liked.

The region prospered when gold was discovered in nearby Cripple Creek in 1891. The Springs became a depository and a favorite residence of those with newfound wealth.

Following the decline of the Cripple Creek gold fortunes around 1909, the Colorado Springs economy declined. Civic-minded leaders were determined that tourism would be the city's new gold mine. Lead by Spencer Penrose, who built the beautiful Broadmoor Hotel and graded a road to the top of Pikes Peak, the city rapidly capitalized on its beauty. Colorado Springs quickly became a resort town. As tourism declined due to the depression and the beginning of World War II, city leaders again looked for a means to save their beautiful city. This time it was decided a military camp was the answer. Congress approved the establishment of a camp in 1942 and almost overnight, Colorado Springs had more Soldiers than residents.

That was the end of the city as a sleepy little tourist town and the beginning of the city that has been referred to as the "military hub of the nation." Since Camp Carson was built in 1942, Colorado Springs has become home to Peterson Air Force Base, the United States Air Force Academy, the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Cheyenne Mountain, Shriever Air Force Base and the Department of Homeland Security. In return, these commands have attracted the country's high-tech industries to the Springs. Colorado Springs area current population is more than 400,000.

Manitou Springs

Before the coming of miners, gamblers, spectators and the like, the area of beautiful rocks, canyons and natural springs located at the base of Pikes Peak was sacred to many Native American tribes. They believed the water had supernatural powers.

White settlers believed the springs had a great power, too, and proceeded to develop the area into a successful health spa, including tuberculosis clinics. Manitou Springs, in the late 19th century, was a leading national spa with the tourist trade as its main source of income.

Named a historical district in the 1980s, the city's Victorian architecture and rustic charm continues to attract visitors from around the country.

Fountain

Founded in 1859 and incorporated in 1903, Fountain is the oldest community in the Pikes Peak area. A supply center and refuge for the early settlers, little remains of the original town. Located east of Fort Carson, Fountain is a popular choice of residence for people assigned to and working at The Mountain Post.

Widefield and Security are two unincorporated communities between Fountain and Colorado Springs. The small town atmosphere and close-in location make these popular areas to live in.

Pueblo

The city of Pueblo, located 40 miles south of Colorado Springs, takes its name from a fortification built there by fur traders in 1840. The fort was called "El Pueblo."

Today, Pueblo is a highly diversified metropolitan area with more than 152,000 people. Pueblo offers a variety of cultural events such as performances by the Pueblo Civic Symphony and the Broadway Theatre League, along with concerts and at City Park and the University of Southern Colorado.

For more than 100 years, Pueblo has been the home of the Colorado State Fair. The event attracts more than a 1 million visitors each year. An array of the nation's top entertainers is on hand at each fair. Horse racing, rodeo performances, all-American horse show and numerous exhibits delight both young and old.

Denver

Denver, Colorado's state capital, is about an hour drive north of Colorado Springs on Interstate 25. Founded in 1858 by Gen. William E. Larimer, the city's fortunes rose and fell with the gold strikes in the nearby Rocky Mountains. Denver's rise to eminence on the front range was a hard fought battle. Cities such as Colorado Springs and Central City bitterly contested the choice of Denver as capital.

The history of Denver is rich in fact and folklore, shaped by a beautiful cast of characters whose names are legends in the west. Madams, like Jennie Rogers, owned the most beautiful residences, and miners who struck it rich formed high society. "Unsinkable" Molly Brown, survivor of the Titanic disaster, called Denver home. Denver was nourished to maturity by a rapidly growing Rocky Mountain empire.

Today, the city consists of a five-county metropolitan area with a population of more than 2.5 million. About 567,000 people live within the city and county limits of Denver. Following a wild beginning when the city's livelihood was based on a strike-it-rich or bust economy, Denver is now the market center of the Rocky Mountain region. Denver has become a center for music, art, education, sports, outdoor recreation and entertainment in Colorado. Performing arts, exhibitions and conventions are held in the National Western Complex and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.

Denver supports professional basketball, football, baseball, hockey and soccer teams. Just off Interstate 25 are Invesco Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos; Coors Field, home of the Denver Rockies; and the Pepsi Center, home of the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets, and host to shows, concerts and other events throughout the year. Invesco Field and the Pepsi Center hosted the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

The Denver Art Museum, Denver Botanic Gardens, Children's Museum, Denver City Park and Zoo, Museum of Natural History, Gates Planetarium, The Denver Mint, Governor's Mansion, Pioneer Museum, the National Western Stock Show and the Red Rocks Amphitheater all offer a variety of entertainment for the entire Family.