Colorado
Got questions about Colorado? One of the best places to find answers is Colorado.gov , the state’s official source for online services. The website offers information ranging from winning lottery numbers to filing your state taxes. You can even keep tabs on the Colorado General Assembly when lawmakers are in session with live legislative video straight from the house and senate chambers.
Tourism
Colorado is such a beautiful and diverse place to explore. You can live here for years and still find a new adventure every weekend. And getting out there is apparently good for your health. Did you know Colorado is the least obese state in the nation? If you’re itching to explore our great outdoors, the state’s tourism website www.colorado.com/ has details on Colorado’s 42 state parks, including the newest one, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, right here in Colorado Springs, where you can camp, hike, view wildlife, or bike on the park’s 20 miles of trails.
It takes constant effort to preserve and sustain the natural beauty of our region, and the 13,000 acres of diverse open space we enjoy. Section 16, a key part of the city’s mountain backdrop, will soon be purchased by the city and protected forever thanks to the tireless efforts of TOPS, the volunteer members of the Trails, Parks and Open Space Coalition of Colorado Springs. Their website also has tons of information for outdoor enthusiasts looking for the best trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is also the proud home of the U.S. Olympic Committee , the Garden of the Gods , 6 dog parks, and 118 miles of urban bicycle trails. The official website for the city of Colorado Springs is the place to find information on parks, recreational activities, city government, a calender of local activities, as well as real time flight information at the Colorado Springs Airport .
Our namesake, Pikes Peak, was discovered by Zebulon Pike in 1806. This webcam link will bring you live pictures from the top of our favorite mountain.
From art galleries to the performing arts, concerts, dance, and film, there is always something fun happening in Colorado Springs. Keep track of local arts events, cultural activities, and community events at www.peakradar.com .
Education
Colorado Springs is a community that offers great educational opportunities from preschool to post-graduate programs. Let’s start with universities and colleges:
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
University of Colorado at Boulder
El Paso County Public Schools
District 11 – Colorado Springs
District 12 – Cheyenne Mountain
District 8 – Fountain/Fort Carson
Compare Colorado Springs Schools
Neighborhood Real Estate Values
Colorado Springs real estate values in terms of sales are down compared to the red hot years of 2005 and 2006, still, we avoided a big runup in prices. That’s why the Springs hasn’t suffered a “real estate bubble”. In fact, Colorado Springs ranks 6th on Forbes September 2010 list of ”Best Housing Markets For Investors “.
Search Neighborhood Home Values to find out how home prices are holding up in the area you’re considering buying, or to find out how your subdivision is performing.
Crime Reports
Neighborhood safety and crime information is critical to choosing the right neighborhood. The cool new Call for Service link connects the police department directly with the community. Track the history and current trends of activity by neighborhood, searchable by map or zip code.
Colorado Springs Economy
Our city offers a fantastic quality of life at a below-average cost of living. Combined with a highly educated workforce, low taxes and our thrifty approach to local government, Colorado Springs has a lot of benefits to offer businesses. The Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation is in the business of growing business opportunities and bringing jobs to Colorado Springs. Their website offers updates and information for local business owners and companies, as well as Top Ten Reasons To Locate Your Company In Colorado Springs And The Pikes Peak Region.
Although it matters most to us, we know the real estate market is only one aspect of our economy. When we want the big picture, we go to the Colorado Springs Business Journal for the latest news on local jobs, businesses, movers and shakers. Sign up for their daily email updates http://csbj.com/daily-e-mail/ and you’ll know the big story before it hits the papers tomorrow.
Local News Resources
The Colorado Springs Gazette offers online as well as traditional print versions of the daily news for Colorado Springs.
The Colorado Springs Independent offers an alternative view of local issues, plus entertainment, music and the famous Indyblast with freebies.
The Denver Post , Fort Collins Coloradoan, and Pueblo Chieftan offer the latest news and information about the rest of the Front Range.
For breaking news, local weather, and sports, tune into local TV stations KKTV11, NewsFirst5, NewsChannel13, and FOX21. Local radio offerings include MagicFM98.9, TheBeat96.1, 107.9KDZARocks, KLite106.3, My99.9 , public radio affiliate KRCC, and for sports, TheJockAM1240.
We love downown Colorado Springs, and as active members of the Downown Partnership, encourage you to check out downtown80903.com often to keep tabs on the people, shopping, and special events happening in our favorite neighborhood.
Another great local resource is the Pikes Peak Library District , home to 8 libraries offering computer resources and classes, a fantastic book collection, plus movie and music cds & dvd’s, free software, and lots of programs for young and old. Yes, it’s all still free (as long as you return it on time) !
For over 20 years, the Imagination Celebration in Colorado Springs has been bringing music, theater, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, folk art, and literature to schools, shopping malls, and other venues all over town. Check out their website for events or find out how to become one of their zany volunteers.
Worship
The people of Colorado Springs celebrate their spiritual side in a wide variety of ways. Hundreds of churches, synogogues, Hindu temples, and mosques welcome worshipers from very diverse religious backgrounds and beliefs.
Longtime residents will tell you that the people of Colorado Springs are friendly, open-minded and cherish diversity. Colorado Springs has been named the 2010 City Cultural Diversity Winner, a fact we take great pride in sharing. The Colorado Springs Diversity Forum brings together civic leaders and community members around this goal.