Colorado Springs Information

Colorado Springs Facts

• Colorado Springs is Colorado’s second-largest city
• Founded in 1871 by General William Jackson Palmer
• Elevation - 6,035 ft.
• Population - City: 380,073, Metro Area: 554,585
• Climate: Alpine Desert
• Average Yearly Precipitation: 17.4”
• Average Yearly Snowfall: 37”
• Average Humidity - Morning: 63%, Afternoon: 40%
• Average Yearly Days of Sunshine: 300+
• Parks: 156 State, County and City Parks
• Major Attractions: 50+
• Daily Newspaper: The Gazette
• Weekly Newspapers: The Independent, Colorado Springs Business Journal
• Universities: 12
• Colleges: 8
• Grad Schools: 4

“Top 10” Awards

No. 1 - Men’s Fitness, “Fittest City in America”
No. 1 - Money, “Big Cities to Live In”
No. 1 - Forbes, “America’s Most Pet-Friendly City”
No. 1 - Men’s Health, “Best Cities for Dogs”
No. 3 - Earth Day Network, “Best Places to Live”
No. 4 - Frommer’s Travel Guide, “Cities Ranked and Rated”
No. 5 - Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, “Best Cities to Live, Work and Play”
No. 5 - MSNBC, “Best Cities to Live, Work and Play”
Top 10 - U.S. News and World Report, “Green Places to Retire”

How To Get Here

Located directly off of Interstate 25, just 20 minutes from the Colorado Springs Airport or 1½ hours by car from Denver International Airport.

Shuttle service and ground transportation are available at both airports. The Colorado Springs Airport serves eight airlines with non-stop flights to many major hub cities with easy connecting flights to destinations all over the world.

Climate

There are more than 300 days of sunshine to be enjoyed in Colorado Springs annually. At an altitude of 6,035 feet, the climate of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region is warm in the summer and moderate in the spring, fall and winter. Classified as an “alpine desert,” the dry, clean air was once a destination to heal tuberculosis patients.

Today, visitors enjoy the climate because it allows for year-round outdoor recreation. Summers are dry with temperatures in the 80s to mid 90s, with cool nights in the 60s. Spring and fall temperatures range from the mid 50s to the low 70s and winters here can be white, but normally the snow that does fall melts quickly and reveals a sunny sky again. Winter temperatures range from the low 30s to upper 40s.

Cultural Facilities

The Pikes Peak Region has a wide variety of museums, performance centers and visitor centers including the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, the Colorado Springs Pioneers Musuem, The Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, The Pikes Peak Heritage Center, McAllister House, Miramont Castle, Glen Eyrie Castle and Focus on the Family Visitor Center.

Attractions and Activities

Visitors can enjoy over 50 natural and man-made attractions including the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Olympic Complex, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, Cave of the Winds and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. The region also offers whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, biking, hiking or riding horses through Garden of the Gods.

Camp”. Colorado Springs itself still contains equipment memorabilia at the Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Foundation and Giuseppe’s Old Depot Restaurant, the original Denver and Rio Grande Railway Station.