Your Guide to Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, CO

Buying a Home in Colorado Springs, Colorado

(The Colorado Springs skyline against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains)

Colorado Springs is located in El Paso County

Colorado Springs was once home to Native Americans who used the area for hunting and were drawn to the mineral springs at the foot of the famous Pike's Peak. This peak, named after Army Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, would later become the foundation for the city's designation as an area of tourism in 1871. A decade earlier Colorado Springs was the site of eager gold seekers, most of whom settled along what is now the city's west side. However, once the tourism industry found its niche here the city only grew in popularity as a spa for celebrities, including Jefferson Davis, Oscar Wilde and John D. Rockefeller. In 1891, another discovery of gold in Cripple Creek greatly increased the city's population as residents spent their newly found wealth on mansions with mountain views. Once the creek dried up, Colorado Springs returned to a sleepy tourist town.

Since its early days as a "vacation getaway", Colorado Springs has branched out in several directions. The city is currently home to the US Air Force Academy, built after World War II. Military presence expanded rapidly during this time and Colorado Springs was eventually designated as the nation's military space capital in the 1980s and 1990s. However, not one to place all of its eggs in one basket, Colorado Springs has since grown as a high-tech town, home to software companies and manufacturers. Various other industries have been attracted to the scenic beauty, the high quality of life, and the flock of high-quality employees to the area.

As the home of Pike's Peak, Colorado Springs is worthy of a visit if only for this one magnificent "hunk of rock". The mountain has been affectionately called "America's Mountain" and even helped to inspire the song, "America the Beautiful". The attractions in this city revolve around its heralded Peak and the heritage surrounding it. A few such sites of interest are the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center & Natural History Museum, Pikes Peak Summit House & Glen Cove, and the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. For fitness types, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and Pikes Peak - America's Mountain are two intensive competitions held during the summer.

Entertainment in Colorado Springs may be found in such places as the Castaways Dinner Playhouse, Pikes Peak Blues Fest, and the El Paso County Fair. In addition, the arts are well represented, with musical performances and galleries. For the sports lover, the Colorado Gold Kings provide professional hockey to the area, and the Pikes Peak International Raceway features NASCAR, IRL, and AMA Superbikes.

Colorado Springs is a great place to raise a family, with its great schools, scenic setting and diverse economy. The city is located about 50 miles south of Denver and is serviced by I-25 and US 24. Pueblo, Colorado is just 30 miles to the south.