Colorado Springs, Colorado - Area Info

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Colorado Springs Area Information

Geography

The City of Colorado Springs is the 47th most populous city in the United States, with an estimated population of 380,301.  Approximately 60 miles to the south of Denver, the city sits at the base of Pikes Peak and comprises a total land area of 186.1 square miles, of which 185.7 square miles of it is land and 0.4 square miles of it is water.

Pikes Peak is the Eastern-most of the 14er mountains (14,000 + feet in elevation) in the United States.

Climate

Colorado Springs receives 17.4 inches of annual precipitation.  The average snowfall for the area (included in that precipitation calculation) is 44.6”.  The winters are relatively mild and the area experiences a strong warming sun due to its altitude in excess of 6,000’.

Average Temperatures

Average Precipitation (Inches)

Demographics

As of the 2000 United States Census statistics, there were 360,890 people, 141,516 households and 93,117 families residing in the city.  The population for the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) was 617,714 which makes  it the 84th most populous MSA.  The population of the Front Range Urban Corridor was 4,166,855.

The city’s population was comprised of:

• 26.5% under the age of 18 
• 10.3% age 18 to 24 
• 32% age 25 to 44
• 20.8% age 45 to 64
• 9.6% over the age of 65
• The median age was 34 years. 

The median income for a household in the city was $45,081, and the median income for a family was $53,478.  Males had a median income of $36,786 versus $26,427 for females.

Government

Colorado Springs is a Council-Manager government with a Mayor and City Council that meets regularly to approve budgets, enact ordinances, and rule on land use, and a city manager who deals with day to day aspects of running the city. 

The city council consists of the mayor and eight additional members, four of whom are elected from districts and four who are elected at large.  Both the mayor and council members are elected to four year terms and may serve two terms in both positions.  A vice mayor is elected by council members from within their ranks.

Economy

Colorado Springs’ economy is driven primarily by the military, the high tech industry, and tourism.

Some of the largest employers are from the defense industry, of which a large segment is dedicated to development and operation of various projects for missile defense.

Boeing, General Dynamics, ITT, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are just a few of the defense corporations in the city.

High Tech corporations with connection to the city, include  companies such as; Verizon Business, MCI, Hewlett-Packard, SAN, SNIA, Intel, Atmel and Cypress Semiconductor.

Military

The United States Military plays a very important role in the city.  Colorado Springs is home to both Army and Air Force bases. 

Schriever Air Force Base is primarily tasked with missile defense and satellite control.   Peterson Air Force Base is headquarters for Air Force Space Command and the United States Northern Command.  NORAD’s main facility is built in Cheyenne Mountain. 

Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower selected Colorado Springs, out of 300 other sites around the nation, to be home to the United States Air Force Academy. 

Fort Carson is the largest of the military bases.  It is host to various training grounds for infantry, armor, and aviation units.  Fort Carson is home to the 4th Infantry Division and headquarters of the second and third battalions of the 10th Special Forces Group.

Tourism

Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains with its may trails and parks, Colorado Springs is a popular destination for tourists.  With majestic scenery, unique geological features and a variety of cultural, educational and historical attractions, there is something to do for everyone.

Just a few on the long varied list of attractions include; Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, the Cog Railway, Seven Falls, Cave of the Winds, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, the American Numismatic Association or Money Museum, the Olympic Training Center and the United States Air Force Academy.

Education

Colorado Springs is home to many Universities and Colleges.  Colorado College founded in 1874,  the United States Air Force Academy,  the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), Pikes Peak Community College,  Colorado State University – Citadel Campus, DeVry University, Regis University and Colorado Technical University, to name a few.

The city’s public schools are divided into several districts based on geographical location.  There are many Private and Charter schools as well.

Sports

Colorado Springs is home to the United States Olympic Training Center and the headquarters of the United States Olympic Committee.   Additionally, the following United States national federations for individual Olympic sports have their headquarters located in Colorado Springs:

• United States Bobsled and Skeleton Federation
• United States Fencing Association
• United States Figure Skating Association
• USA Basketball
• USA Boxing
• USA Cycling
• USA Judo
• USA Hockey
• USA Swimming
• USA Shooting
• USA Triathlon
• USA Volleyball
• USA Wrestling

The Colorado Rockies minor league baseball team, the Colorado  Springs Sky Sox who belong to the Pacific Coast League,  play at Security Service Field on the east side of the city.

Sister Cities

In 1962 Fujiyoshida, Japan became the first Sister City of Colorado Springs.  A notable similarity between Colorado Springs and its sister cities are their geographic positions.  Three of the six cities are located at the base of a major mountain or range.

Since 1962, several more cities have become a Sister City to Colorado Springs:

• Kaohsiung, Taiwan (1983)
• Smolensk, Russia (1993)
• Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (1994)
• Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico (1996)
• Bankstown, Australia (1999)