History & Government
Founded in 1871 as a resort destination, Colorado Springs has evolved into a world-class international community with breathtaking scenery, top-notch accommodations, a variety of exciting attractions, a diverse selection of restaurants and cuisine, major shopping centers, and eclectic local businesses to make any family vacation or business trip an experience to remember.
Colorado Springs is located at the base of Pikes Peak, 68 miles south of Denver. For those of you that like the specifics, here they are: Latitude: 38º50'50" N, Longitude 104º50'25" W, Elevation: 6035 Ft.
Often ranked as the "most fit" city in the United States, Colorado Springs residents and visitors have virtually unlimited options when it comes to participating in recreational and sporting activities. Hiking, mountain biking, running, rafting, boating, rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, golfing and ballooning are some of the most popular activities that are enjoyed year-round in our mild climate.
The Colorado Springs Area History
Colorado Springs began as one man's dream. When General William Jackson Palmer first saw the scenic attraction of the Pikes Peak region, he immediately knew it was a location which could attract his wealthy European and East Coast friends. The city's first stake was driven in 1871. Colorado Springs became especially popular with the British and acquired the nickname Little London. Riding the rails, visitors came to see the area's beauty and were inspired to stay by a mild climate and the region's growing resort accommodations.
In the 1890s, Colorado Springs found it was surrounded by more than scenic wealth. Gold was discovered in nearby Cripple Creek in 1891, and Colorado Springs found itself a thriving financial center. The golden years lasted until 1917, when the U.S. went to silver for its coinage and the local economy once again emphasized tourism.
Looking to expand its economic base, the city offered land to the military in 1942. With the start of World War II, Fort Carson was established on 137,000 acres to the south of Colorado Springs. The military's presence grew in the 1950s with the opening of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Over the next 30 years, Peterson Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base helped create Colorado Springs' reputation as the nation's military space capital, housing the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and other Space Command centers.
Manufacturing expanded tremendously when the area's quality of life and cost advantages were recognized in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, computers, electronic equipment, semiconductors, precision parts, plastics, heavy equipment and countless other high-quality products are manufactured in the Pikes Peak region and shipped to national and international markets.
The amateur sports segment is one of several service industries expanding in the region. Colorado Springs is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Olympic Committee and Olympic Training Center, the world's finest multi-sport training facility. Many other national nonprofit organizations have moved their headquarters to the Pikes Peak region.
Colorado Springs is the largest municipality in El Paso County with an estimated population of 320,000. The city accounts for nearly three-quarters of the county's population of approximately 450,000. The county contains 2,127 square miles, much of it rural agricultural and grazing land to the east of Colorado Springs. Other population centers in the county include Monument and Palmer Lake to the north; Security, Widefield and Fountain to the south; and Manitou Springs, Cascade and Green Mountain Falls to the west.
City Government
The City of Colorado Springs uses a Council-Manager form of government. City Council consists of nine members, including the Mayor, who serve four-year terms. The mayor and four council members are elected at-large and four members are elected from geographic districts. The City Manager is employed by the council and is the chief administrative officer of the municipal government.
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