Colorado Springs is a middle-sized city, located just east of the geographic center of the state of Colorado in the United States. It has a population of 360,890 (according to the 2000 census) and is the second largest city in Colorado. At elevation 6,035 feet, it is situated near the base of one of the most famous American peaks, Pikes Peak, on the east side of the Rocky Mountains. The capital of Colorado, Denver, is 68 miles to the north. The city is the county seat of El Paso County.

Tourism

In addition to Pikes Peak, there are many other tourist attractions in the area, including Garden of the Gods, a collection of large red sandstone formations, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings , Cave of the Winds, the United States Olympic Training Complex , the American Numismatic Association, and the United States Air Force Academy. According to the Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, the area attracts some six million visitors yearly.

Colorado Springs is served by the Colorado Springs Airport.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 482.1 km² (186.1 mi²). 481.1 km² (185.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.21% water.

Colorado Springs averages 250 days of sunshine per year, and receives 15.42 inches of annual precipitation. Average snowfall for the area (included in the previous annual precipitation calculation) is 5.5" in November, 5.7" in December, 5.0" in January, 5.1" in February, 9.4" in March, and 6.3" in April.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 360,890 people, 141,516 households, and 93,117 families residing in the city. The population density is 750.2/km² (1,942.9/mi²). There are 148,690 housing units at an average density of 309.1/km² (800.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 80.66% White, 6.56% Black or African American, 0.88% Native American, 2.82% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 5.01% from other races, and 3.85% from two or more races. 12.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 141,516 households out of which 34.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% are married couples living together, 10.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% are non-families. 27.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.50 and the average family size is 3.06.

In the city the population is spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $45,081, and the median income for a family is $53,478. Males have a median income of $36,786 versus $26,427 for females. The per capita income for the city is $22,496. 8.7% of the population and 6.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.8% of those under the age of 18 and 7.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Industry

• United States Air Force Academy - Air Force
• Cheyenne Mountain Air Station - Air Force: a major military center, home of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), it is housed in Cheyenne Mountain, south of Pikes Peak.
• Peterson Air Force Base - Air Force
• Schriever Air Force Base - Air Force
• Fort Carson - Army
• MCI - Telecommunications - has a fairly large engineering presence

Colleges and universities

Colorado Springs is the home of Colorado College and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS), as well as the United States Air Force Academy.

Sports teams

• The Colorado Springs Sky Sox baseball team, in the Pacific Coast League (AAA classification), a minor league affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies.

• The Colorado Springs Blizzard soccer team, in the Premier Development League a division of the United Soccer Leagues

Religion

In recent years, Colorado Springs has attracted a large influx of Evangelical Christians. Evangelical groups with headquarters at Colorado Springs include Focus on the Family (a Christian organization active on many social and political issues), Compassion International, The Navigators, Youth with a Mission , Young Life and the International Bible Society.

History

In August 1871, Colorado Springs was founded by General William Palmer, a veteran of the American Civil War.

Trivia

• The events depicted in the Emmy Award-winning dramatic television series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, starring actress Jane Seymour, were set in this town.
• Kelsey Grammer's sister was murdered after leaving a Red Lobster in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• Lon Chaney was born in Colorado Springs on April 1 1883. The Chaney Theater is named for him.
• Cassandra Peterson (a.k.a. Elvira, Mistress of the Night) attended Palmer High School in downtown Colorado Springs. She graduated in the class of 1969.
• Leeann Tweeden worked briefly as a waitress at a local Hooters in the 1991-1992 timeframe.
• Bobby Unser was born in Colorado Springs on February 20 1934.
• The TV series Stargate SG-1 has several episodes which at least partially take place in Colorado Springs.

External links

• City of Colorado Springs web site
• City of Colorado Springs government site
• Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center
• Ft. Carson
• Peterson Air Force Base
• Schriever Air Force Base
• http://nationalatlas.gov/fedlands/ak.pdf (location map of bases etc.)