Colorado Springs, Colorado is a large city and the second largest in the state. It’s around 70 miles south of Denver and sits at around 1 mile above sea level. The city is home to around half a million people.

Colorado Springs is largely known for the United States Air Force Academy and for sport. There are around 24 national sports organizations here along with a wide range of local industries.

History of Colorado Springs

The area that is now Colorado Springs was originally populated by the Ute, Arapaho and Cheyenne people. Some of the region formed part of the Louisiana Purchase and was first settled around 1859.

The Pike’s Peak Gold Rush saw an explosion of settlers with miners, prospectors and a range of supporting industries all established themselves around the area.

In 1871, the Colorado Springs Company set out the city as it continued growing. The city grew to annex several surrounding settlements and the arrival of the Broadmoor Casino, have the city another boost.

The Tesla Experimental Station operated on Knob Hill from 1901, the army and air force soon followed with NORAD arriving in the 1950s. The University of Colorado, Pikes Peak Community College and Colorado Technical University all arrived during the 1960s.

Transport in Colorado Springs

Getting around the city is easy.

Arrive by air and you’ll probably use Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS). Denver International Airport (DEN) is also an option but is an 80 mile drive north to the city. There is a shuttle service that runs buses between the airport and the city.

There is no passenger rail running into Colorado Springs at the moment despite plenty of freight links.

Buses are run by Greyhound and stop Downtown. Local commuter buses are run by Colorado Springs Transit and run throughout the city.

Road links are plentiful with I-25, US 87, State Highway 21, State Highway 83, State Highway 94, State Highway 115, US 85 and SH 115 being the main routes into and out of the city.

Major employers in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has a well established economy with notable employers including Northrop Grumman, Boeing, General Dynamics, L3Harris Technologies, SAIC, ITT, Lockheed Martin, Bluestaq, The Space Foundation, Verizon Business, Hewlett-Packard, Storage Networking Industry Association, Keysight Technologies, National Cybersecurity Center(NCC), Fort Carson, U.S. Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base/NORAD/Space Command, City of Colorado Springs, Memorial Hospital – UC Health, Progressive Insurance Company and Schriever Air Force Base.

Neighborhoods of Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is comprised of a selection of neighborhoods including Old Colorado City, West Side, Downtown, Old North End, Cheyenne, Broadmoor, Southeast, Northeast, Briargate, Northgate, Palmer Park, Security, Fountain, Ft. Carson, Manitou Springs, Westside, Rockrimmon and Park Hill.

Popular attractions in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs has plenty to see and do while you’re here including U.S. Air Force Academy Planetarium, Bomber Plane Display – Air Force Academy, Western Museum of Mining & Industry, ProRodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy, Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum, Glen Eyrie Castle, Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site, Garden of the Gods Visitor Center & Park, Garden of the Gods Trading Post, Flying W Ranch, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, May Museum of Natural History, Whitewater Rafting with Echo Canyon River Expeditions, Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours, Royal Gorge Aerial Gondolas and Zipline: Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, Royal Rush SkyCoaster, The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey, Royal Gorge Bridge, Skyline Drive, Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Museum of Colorado Prisons , Gold Belt Scenic Byway, Pike’s Peak, Academy Riding Stables, Manitou Springs Mineral Springs, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Barr Trail, Miramont Castle Museum, Arcade Amusements Penny Arcade, The Olive Tap, Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings, Wind Walker Challenge Course, Cave of the Winds, Penrose Heritage Carriage House Museum, Ghost Town Museum and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.